The grounds that surround the new Bush Center in Dallas offer guests not only a beautiful look at a natural Texas countryside layout, providing an educational opportunity to study nature, the way we interact with it and sustainability.

Laura Bush and landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh are a good match. Both teachers at heart, they believe that creating something for show is a wasted occasion without also considering opportunities for learning. Both highly value sustainability, ecological renewal and raising environmental awareness.

The flowering plants and impressive rocks in the 15-acre urban park at the George W. Bush Presidential Center are multi-taskers. Yes, the Texas wildflowers are pretty and will be more scenic as the seedlings become established over the next few years, and the prairie grasses will quickly develop into a rippling sea of green when it is windy on the hilltop.

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