Notebaert Nature Museum ball raises $1.3 million

The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum raised more than $1.3 million at its 11th annual Butterfly Ball, May 1 at the nature museum.

Funds raised by the 700 guests support the museum's education programs for Chicago students, teachers and families, conservation and research initiatives, exhibitions, and general operations.

This year's theme, "Come See How We've Grown," celebrated the rich history of the Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Q. Brown of Motorola; Mr. and Mrs. Gary E. Holdren of Huron Consulting Group; and Mr. and Mrs. Andre Hughes of Accenture, were co-chairs, along with a 41-member committee.

Five Monarch sponsors - Aon, Huron Consulting Group; Motorola; Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Notebaert; and Mr. and Mrs. Brian Walls - also supported the evening's success.

"We are thrilled that this annual gala continues to receive support from Chicago's top corporate and civic leaders," said Donna Gustafsson, interim president and chief executive officer of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

"The ball highlights the museum's important mission of inspiring people to learn about and care for nature and the environment. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of all those involved and look forward with great anticipation to next year's event."

Charles Douglas, chairman of the board of trustees, presented the Museum's first Heritage Award to the family of the Albert Pick III, who died April 16.

Celebrating more than 150 years of science exploration and education, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is the teaching and learning center of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, founded in 1857, as Chicago's first museum dedicated to educating Chicagoans about nature and science through the preservation and display of native specimens, classroom activities and dissemination of scientific knowledge.

Since its opening 10 years ago, the nature museum has welcomed more than 1.8 million visitors and provides hands-on exhibitions and programs to 70,000 students annually and trains and provides resources for more than 1,500 teachers in more than 430 schools.