AHS - Press Releases May 30, 2007

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American Horticultural Society Press Releases

American Horticultural Society
at George Washington’s River Farm
7931 East Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, VA 22308-1300
Tel: 703-768-5700
Fax: 703-768-8700
Website: http://www.ahs.org

American Horticultural Society's
2007 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

Alexandria, VA - May 30, 2007

The 15th annual American Horticultural Society National Children & Youth Garden Symposium will take place from July 19 to 21 in Chaska, Minnesota. This much anticipated event—the only educational symposium of its kind in North America—will bring together educators, garden designers, community leaders, and children’s gardening advocates from around the country. The theme of this year’s event, Widening the Circle, references the idea of tapping into a diverse group of practitioners from related fields to create fresh approaches and expanded audiences for children’s and youth gardening programs.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the host of the 2007 Symposium, will serve as the headquarters for this year’s event. Keynote speakers will be Eric Jolly, president of the Science Museum of Minnesota; professional storyteller Sherry Norfolk; and Albe Zakes, marketing director of TerraCycle, Inc, an innovative new company that has introduced a ground-breaking “green” ethic to the fertilizer industry.

In addition to the keynote presentations, the Symposium will include more than 30 educational sessions on topics ranging from innovative ideas for non-traditional classrooms and interdisciplinary studies to new strategies for making a difference beyond the confines of the classroom. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore various area gardens and educational facilities such as the Como Park Conservatory, Gale Woods Farm, the Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Learning Center.

During the Symposium, the 2007 “Growing Good Kids—Excellence in Children’s Literature Awards” will also be unveiled. Presented jointly by the National Junior Master Gardener Program and the American Horticultural Society, these awards honor engaging and inspiring works of plant-, garden-, and ecology-themed children’s literature.

Space is limited so early registration is recommended. To learn more, visit http://www.ahs.org or call 703-768-5700 ext. 132.
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The American Horticultural Society (AHS), founded in 1922, is an educational, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that recognizes and promotes excellence in American horticulture. One of the oldest and most prestigious gardening organizations, AHS is dedicated to making America a nation of gardeners, a land of gardens. Its mission is to open the eyes of all Americans to the vital connection between people and plants, to inspire all Americans to become responsible caretakers of the Earth, to celebrate America’s diversity through the art and science of horticulture; and to lead this effort by sharing the Society’s unique national resources with all Americans.

7931 East Boulevard Drive - Alexandria VA 22308
(V) 703.768.5700 - Toll Free: 1.800.777.7931
(F) 703.768.8700 - Publications Fax: 703.768.7533