Skip to main content

Quigley Goes “Undercover” at Lincoln Park Conservatory

April 22, 2016

Celebrates Earth Day at the Iconic Facility

CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), went “undercover” as a horticulturalist at the Lincoln Park Conservatory as part of his Undercover Congressman series. The series connects Rep. Quigley with constituents at their place of employment to better understand the challenges they face in their industry and daily lives.

“Protecting our planet is not something that can be accomplished in one day. It takes a continued effort on the part of every individual to keep our environment healthy and thriving for future generations,” said Rep. Quigley. “Working with the horticulturists today showed the tremendous commitment the Lincoln Park Conservatory has to the diversification and maintenance of its wide array of plant species. I would like to thank the Lincoln Park Conservatory for allowing me to work with their staff today, and educating Chicagoans and visitors alike on the role of plant life in our ecosystem.”

To celebrate the 46th Annual Earth Day, Rep. Quigley went undercover at Lincoln Park Conservatory and worked alongside horticulture staff to help maintain the plant collection and view the different varieties of plant life within the greenhouse. He learned about how Lincoln Park Conservatory impacts visitors’ understanding of the importance of plants’ role in the environment and that all life on earth, not just human lives, depends on plants.

Image
Planting at LP Conservatory

Rep. Quigley works with Rachel Aling, a floriculture worker at the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Image
LP Conservatory

From left to right: Don Fuller, Floriculturist Foreman; Rep. Quigley; Mary Eysenbach, Director of Conservatories; Gabe Jenkins, Floriculturist Foreman; Rachel Aling, Floriculture Worker

“The Chicago Park District is thrilled Congressman Quigley had a chance to work alongside our staff and learn about the importance of plants and their crucial role in keeping our environment healthy,” said Mike Kelly, Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO. “Facilities such as Lincoln Park Conservatory help remind us plants not only function for aesthetic purposes, but keep our earth healthy.”

The Lincoln Park Conservatory was designed both to showcase exotic plants and grow the thousands of plants needed for use in the Chicago parks. The Conservatory offers visitors a tropical experience within its four display houses: Palm House, Fern Room, Orchid House and Show House, which is home to the annual flower shows. This historic facility continues to provide an escape to nature to the millions that live in and visit Chicago. The conservatory is open year round and free to the public.

Rep. Quigley’s “Undercover Congressman” series connects him with constituents at their place of employment to better understand the daily challenges they face in their industry and community. Since taking office in 2009, Rep. Quigley has performed a wide range of jobs as an Undercover Congressman, including cleaning animal pens as a zookeeper at the Lincoln Park Zoo, packaging beer and cleaning tanks at Half Acre Brewery, pouring metal at a local metal refinery and delivering mail with the United States Post Office.

###