Nobel Peace Prize Laureate to Attend Garden Dedication
On Saturday, September 22 at the Al Raby School for Community and Environment, Dr. Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, will join students, teachers, and community members to preside over the dedication of the Wangari Maathai Natural Garden. The garden was designed and created as a collaborative process between the Al Raby High School students, school staff, community members, CNT, and the City of Chicago. Speaking will be Dr. Maathai, Steve Perkins, Janice Jackson-Principal of Al Raby High School, and a student representative. For more information on the event, you can download the invitation.
Earlier this year, CNT and the Al Raby High School began transforming the school’s physical environment into the optimal environmental leadership learning setting with the installation of a native woodland garden. Named after the 2004 Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai in honor of her distinguished environmental work, the garden will help to beautify the main entrance of the school, and help connect the students to a living ecology by providing a hands-on experience in landscape design, creation, and maintenance.
CNT is the founding civic partner of the Al Raby High School for Community and Environment. Founded in 2004 by CNT Senior Vice President Stephen Perkins, this small student-centered high school envisions a student body inspired to intellectual excellence and personal responsibility through community and environmental activism.
This project is made possible through a $15,000 grant from the Prince Charitable Trusts as well as donated materials and services from Bob Porter, Natural Areas Manager of the North Park Village Nature Center, F.H. Paschen/SNNielsen, Christy Webber Landscapes, and R&R Mulch and Soil. The event is co-sponsored by Al Raby High School, CNT, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, and Chicago Humanities Festival.
To read more about the Wangari Maathai Natural Garden, download the project fact sheet.
