Planting of Scotch Pine Tree on April 7 at the John Muir Nature Trail, Van Cortlandt Park Is One of the Highlights of the American-Scottish Foundation's 50th Anniversary Year Initiatives Conducted in Partnership with the New York Parks and Recreation Department, VisitScotland, and the Scottish Community of Perthshire.

New York, N.Y. (April 4, 2006) - The American-Scottish Foundation marks its 50th anniversary year with a number of celebrations heralding the significant contributions of people of Scottish descent and their legacy of preserving and promoting the country's rich history, art, culture and natural environment in the United States and abroad.

On April 7, at 10 a.m. the American-Scottish Foundation will sow the seeds of Scottish forestry in partnership with the New York Parks and Recreation Department, VisitScotland, and the Scottish community of Perthshire, with the planting of a Scotch Pine tree at the John Muir Nature Trail at Van Cortlandt Park. The location of the event is at Rockwood Drive Circle off Broadway and Mosholu Avenue. A reception will follow at which shortbread will be served.

The tree is being donated by VisitScotland, the country's national tourism agency that oversees Perthshire's Big Tree Country, a popular travel destination for nature lovers.

Peter Lederer, chairman of VisitScotland, will be attending the ceremony along with officials from the American-Scottish Foundation and the New York Parks and Recreation Department.

Big Tree Country is a vast wonder of nature, whose glorious landscape contains a forest where Europe's oldest tree, a 4,000-year-old Fortignall Yew, and the last living Birnam Oak tree from Birnam Wood, the medieval forest in Shakespeare's Macbeth, are rooted.

"Scotland is the birthplace of golf, whisky, tartan, kilts, bagpipes, and of course the beautiful Scotch Pine. We are proud to have this little bit of Scotland become a part of the John Muir Nature Trail, and invite all who enjoy it to visit Scotland to experience the beautiful scenery and exciting cities of our vibrant country," said Peter Lederer, chairman, VisitScotland.

"Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx is a natural urban oasis that connects New Yorkers with the great woodlands and moors of Scotland," said Alan Bain, president of the American-Scottish Foundation. "When VisitScotland and Perthshire officials contacted us for a location for their tree-planting commemorating Tartan Week, The John Muir Nature Trail -- named after the famous Scottish-born naturalist John Muir, who founded the U.S. National Parks Service and Sierra Club -- was the obvious choice."

The John Muir Nature Trail opened in 1998. Its rugged tree-lined trail, surrounded by 100-foot trees and wetlands, stretches two miles from East to West.

"I want to thank the American-Scottish Foundation for their support of Van Cortlandt Park and the John Muir Nature Trail," said Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "This Scottish Pine tree will add to the park's natural landscape and demonstrates the importance of partnerships in improving our city's parks."

"The park's rich history and gardens reflect tree species and plantings indigenous to continents from around the world, and with the John Muir Nature Trail, it carries a piece of Scottish history as well," added Bain.

John Muir Benefit Golf Tournament June 23, 2006

During the press conference the American-Scottish Foundation will announce a lineup of activities for the coming year, including the 10th Annual John Muir Benefit Golf Tournament at Van Cortlandt Park, the home of the oldest public golf course in the United States.

Through the John Muir Benefit Golf Tournament, American-Scottish Foundation continues in its mission to support the conservation of parks such as Van Cortlandt Park and the John Muir Nature Trail.

Wallace Award Honoree to Be Announced

The American Scottish Foundation will also announce the name of this year's recipient of its prestigious Wallace Award and its plans to reunite past Wallace Award recipients at its 50th anniversary gala taking place on Oct. 23, 2006.

The Wallace Award honors the contributions of prominent individuals of Scottish descent in the tradition of the 13th Century legendary hero William Wallace who lead the Scottish Resistance in the 13th Century.

Recipients of the Wallace Award have included U.S. Senator Trent Lott; Sir Sean Connery, actor; members of the Forbes family publishing dynasty; TV anchor/commentators, Hugh Malcom Downs and Robert MacNeil; and author Helen MacInnes.

About the American-Scottish Foundation

The American-Scottish Foundation, founded in 1956, is headquartered at Scotland House™ , 575 Madison Avenue, New York City, and is dedicated to strengthening ties between individuals, institutions and businesses of Scotland and the United States through the pursuit of contemporary social, cultural, educational, philanthropic, scientific and economic interests and activities. For more information, visit www.americanscottishfoundation.com.