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-- WITH PHOTO -- TO ENVIRONMENTAL, NATIONAL, AND SCIENCE EDITORS:
California Science Center Foundation Plants More than 1,000 Trees to
Replace 400 removed for Endeavour Route
LOS ANGELES, April 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The California
Science Center Foundation has invested more than $2 million to fulfill
its commitment of replacing trees and making green improvements in the
communities along Endeavour's route through the cities of Westchester,
Inglewood and South Los Angeles. More than 1,000 trees are being
planted by the Science Center Foundation to replace the nearly 400
that were removed along the shuttle's route. To date, 960 trees have
successfully been planted throughout the entire route. Additionally,
more than 1,200 trees have been trimmed to ensure their health; and
buckled sidewalks have been repaired.
The Science Center Foundation has 70 more trees to plant in
Westchester and is waiting for the city to provide final approval to
plant these remaining trees at their designated location.
"We are pleased that we have made good on our promise to replace the
trees and to improve the streetscapes in the South Los Angeles,
Westchester and Inglewood communities," notes California Science
Center President Jeffrey Rudolph. "We appreciate the value that trees
bring to our urban community and have demonstrated our commitment to
ensuring that we provide them with trees that will grow into a
greener, more beautiful tree canopy that engenders better
environmental health than ever before. Our tree replacement program is
founded on our efforts over several decades of working with our
neighbors as we created a park and street landscaping that beautified
our South Los Angeles neighborhood and provided recreational space for
everyone's use. "
Inglewood Mayor Butts remarked, "Not only was the final journey of the
Space Shuttle Endeavor an historic moment for the City of Inglewood,
it left a footprint for the future in the planting of miles of new
trees along Manchester and Crenshaw Blvd. On behalf of the citizens
of Inglewood, I give our heartfelt thanks to the Science Center."
The replacement trees and additional trees are between 10 and 14 feet
in height - about the same size as most of the trees that were
removed. A minimum of two years of free maintenance will also be
provided. The California Science Center has hired and is training
youth from the community, in collaboration with Valley Crest to assist
with tree maintenance.
"ValleyCrest is so pleased to report that all the trees we promised to
plant at the time of Endeavour's revolutionary move through South Los
Angeles are indeed now in the ground and growing beautifully," said
Bill Ropp, Director, Pre-Construction Services, ValleyCrest Landscape
Development. "As they mature, neighboring communities will further
enjoy all the aesthetic and wellness benefits trees bring.
Additionally, it's been extremely rewarding to partner with youth from
these communities to jointly care for the trees and ensure their
long-term vitality. We thank the California Science Center once again
for the opportunity to beautify Los Angeles together."
Theodore Thomas of Park Mesa Heights and Johnnie Raines from the
Empowerment Congress West Area Neighborhood Council note, "The Science
Center is honoring its commitment it made to the communities following
the historic Endeavour transport. It has taken the joint task force
almost two years, but the California Science Center has provided four
times as many trees as removed to help rebuild the community canopy
and ensure ongoing maintenance. Over the past two years we have
worked in close collaboration with the Science Center, choosing trees
that will thrive in our community and we are also pleased that they
are employing and providing career paths for local youth in landscape
design and maintenance."
About the California Science Center Located just south of downtown Los
Angeles in Exposition Park, the California Science Center is one of
Southern California's premier family destinations. The Science
Center's mission is to stimulate curiosity and inspire science
learning in everyone by creating fun, memorable experiences and has
welcomed over 24 million visitors since its grand opening in February
of 1998.
Media contact: Shell Amega California Science Center Foundation (213)
744-7496 samega@cscmail.org
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140409/DC02313
SOURCE California Science Center Foundation
-0- 04/09/2014
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140409/DC02313
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN14
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CO: California Science Center Foundation
ST: California
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0000 04/09/2014 22:54:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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