GM Foundation Donates $100,000 to New York's Central Park Conservancy

Grant benefits ‘Keeping it Green’ program for schools and families

DETROIT -- September 13, 2014: For the second year in a row, the General Motors Foundation is donating $100,000 to aid Central Park Conservancy’s “Keeping it Green” program designed to introduce pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students to the importance of preserving and caring for New York City’s Central Park.

The program, offering age-appropriate environmental and horticultural information to school groups, engaged more than 750 students last year. With renewed support from the GM Foundation, the Conservancy will continue to offer “Keeping it Green,” to school groups during the week, as well as weekend sessions for families beginning this fall.

“The ‘Keeping it Green’ program is a wonderful way to offer unique learning experiences to New York students and families, while helping to maintain the beauty and integrity of Central Park,” said GM Foundation President Vivian Pickard. “Preserving this natural resource is incredibly important and we’re committed to helping students and communities gain respect for this and other important landmarks.”

To mark the GM Foundation’s renewed commitment, 20 teamGM Cares Volunteers from GM’s New York City offices completed a variety of tasks in the Park today, including the removal of invasive plant material and painting benches near a heavily visited entrance on the Park’s east side.

“Thanks to the GM Foundation’s ongoing support, the Conservancy will continue to provide environmental stewardship opportunities to families and schools in the City’s greatest outdoor classroom – Central Park,” said Doug Blonsky, president and CEO of Central Park Conservancy and Central Park Administrator. “Their partnership will help sustain Central Park as a one-of-a-kind, shared backyard to all New Yorkers.”