January 2016 News

Home where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born and lived nearly a third of his life.

Looking Back 20 Years

As we celebrate the National Park Service Centennial, NPT reflects on our own history and plans for the next century. Our parks conserve both our wild 'cathedrals' and our cultural history. This month, we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by visiting the places that contributed to his life, such as his boyhood home in Georgia. Did you know that 20 years ago, NPT acquired three parcels of land to complete the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Georgia – just in time for the 1996 Olympics?

37 Days Left to Win a Park Adventure!

Last year's winners included 4th-grade students from Whipple Ranch Elementary, AZ who visited Petrified National Forest and counted tree rings.

Our 2016 Kids to Parks Day National School Contest is now open! Teachers, start planning your park trips and send us your students' contest entries by March 4th. This contest, which is open to under-served public, public charter, and private schools across the U.S. in grades pre-K through 12, encourages students to create and plan their own park experience to celebrate Kids to Parks Day in May. With help from the National Park Service Centennial Challenge Fund and other sponsors including a generous gift from First Solar Corporate Charitable Fund of the Toledo Community Foundation, NPT will award 100 schools with park scholarships up to $1,000.

The contest ends on March 4th. Winners will be announced on March 25th. See contest forms here. For more information about the contest, contact Billy Schrack at william@parktrust.org or call 301-279-7275 x11. We are looking for additional sponsors to match the Centennial Challenge Fund. Contact Dan Quinn to learn more at danquinn@parktrust.org or call 301-279-7275 x15.

It's a Sweet 16

Save the Date! On June 16th, NPT will honor Congresswoman Betty McCollum (Minnesota, 4th District) with the 16th Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award for her outstanding advocacy and support of parks, and public lands and waters.

Congresswoman McCollum stated, "Bruce Vento was also a science teacher, and I know he would be so appreciative of the work that the National Park Trust does to nurture an appreciation for the outdoors in our nation's young people. I am proud to carry on his good work and I am so grateful to be honored with this award bearing his name."

NPT Board Chair Bill Brownell shared, “We are delighted to honor Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s 16 years of service during the 2016 Centennial Year of the National Park Service. As a champion of our country’s parks and treasured landscapes and a strong supporter of excellence in education, her passions and accomplishments closely align with the mission and vision of the National Park Trust.”

The Vento Award was established in 2000 to honor the memory and legacy of Bruce F. Vento, a twelve-term congressman, dedicated environmentalist and champion of legislation for America's parks, who also represented Minnesota’s 4th District.

For information about event sponsorship and tickets, contact our Chief Development Officer Dan Quinn at dannquinn@parktrust.org or call 301-279-7275. Read the complete press release here.

We Have an Instagram Winner!

Congratulations to the McCarty Family (@project59nps), winners of our Instagram Park Photo Contest!

Last month we asked our Instagram followers to show us their outdoor passion and creativity by submitting park photos for a chance to win a cool prize package. The response was incredible and Buddy Bison had a very difficult time selecting the winner, but ultimately the McCarty's photo won him over.

Christina McCarty shared, "Rather than wait in line to get on the park shuttle, we strapped on snowshoes and hit the trails. This gave us an up close and personal view of some of the largest trees in the world. Our daughters, Ellie and Ava are pictured in front of the giant sequoias of the House Group."

Way to go McCarty Family! Follow Buddy Bison's travels on Instagram @nationalparktrust and share your photos. Stay tuned for upcoming contests!

Make a National Park Your Valentine

Once again the U.S. Department of Interior is getting ready for their annual Valentine’s Day video, and would like to hear about your love story with National Parks. Send videos and photos of your weddings or proposals in national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands to newmedia@ios.doi.gov by Friday, February 5, for a chance to be in their Valentine’s Day video.

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Email: npt@parktrust.org - Phone: 301.279.7275

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