National Park Foundation
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L.L.Bean Donation Benefits Smoky Mountains

Friday, October 19, 2012

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Outdoor retailer L.L.Bean and the National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America's national parks, announced today that the goal of the "Million Moment Mission" has been reached, resulting in a donation of $1 million by L.L.Bean to support youth programming in our national parks. The Million Moment Mission campaign was created in celebration of L.L.Bean's 100th anniversary, designed to inspire a love of the outdoors in the next generation.

With the campaign, L.L.Bean pledged to contribute $1 to NPF's "America's Best Idea" program for every outdoor moment shared. Thanks to the contribution of one million stories, photos and outdoor experiences, L.L.Bean and NPF have met their goal. The $1 million contribution from L.L.Bean will have an impact on 60,000 underserved children in America.

“We are overwhelmed by how many people have shared their excitement for the outdoors. In joining us in the Million Moment Mission and sharing their passion, our customers are helping to inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts. We are proud to partner with the National Park Foundation on this vital initiative to get more kids into healthy, outdoor activities,” said Chris McCormick, CEO of L.L.Bean.

Grants from the National Park Foundation, funded by L.L.Bean, have already helped kids and teens across the country get outdoors and work with mentors. They've hiked in national parks, kayaked along national seashores, and worked an archaeological dig.

Examples of programs made possible through L.L.Bean funding to the 2012 America's Best Idea grants include:

* The Assateague Adventure Academy at Assateague Island National Seashore, which encourages students to participate in recreational activities along the seashore like kayaking and digging for clams

* The Native American Conservation Corps at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, who for the first time hired an all-Native American crew, giving local youth valuable job experience and a connection to the outdoors

* Women on the Water: Leaders of Tomorrow, a program developed for high school girls from cities and towns surrounding the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which teaches the girls to become environmental stewards as they learn key kayaking, canoeing and rafting techniques

* Archaeological work in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, through which Cherokee youth and the local high schools engage in a two-week dig supervised by professional archaeologists

* Voyageurs National Parks Teen Ambassadors Program, which brings kids from rural areas on outdoor adventures

For more information on L.L.Bean's commitment to the outdoors, please visit llbean.com. To learn more about the National Park Foundation and its programs, please visit www.nationalparks.org.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
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2012 Share the Experience Photo Contest

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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The National Park Foundation and their partners are once again promoting the Share the Experience photo contest. The annual contest is the largest national park and public land photo contest for amateur photographers, and runs now through December 31, 2012.

The annual contest, now in its 12th year, provides an opportunity for amateur photographers to submit pictures taken at any federal lands site for the chance of having their image selected for use on the America the Beautiful Federal Recreation Lands Pass. Approximately 500,000 passes are utilized annually.

Drawing entries from across the country, the contest receives approximately 14,000 submissions each year. Contestants are encouraged to take pictures spanning the more than 500 million acres of Federal Lands. The contest is seeking photos from amateur photographers that highlight the best of America's federal lands, national parks and historical sites in these categories:

* Adventure & Outdoor Recreation

* Historical & Cultural

* Scenic, Seasons & Landscapes

* Friends, Family & Fun(ny) on Federal Lands

* Wildlife

Active Network and the National Park Foundation will manage the photo contest on behalf of the National Park Service and other participating federal agencies. Active Network is also sponsoring the three top prizes, including a $15,000 grand prize.

Entries will be accepted through December 31, 2012, and all contestants must be at least 13 years of age. Contestants are able to view a complete list of rules and prizes as well as submit their photos directly at: www.sharetheexperience.org.

Good luck!


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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National Park Foundation Grants more than $200,000 to Restore and Establish Trails

Sunday, May 27, 2012

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Earlier this week the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, announced over $200,000 in grants to be awarded to the thirteen national parks selected to participate in the 2012 Active Trails program, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Now in its fourth round of grants, the National Park Foundation's Active Trails program promotes national parks as a venue for community engagement and encourages healthy living through various forms of recreation and volunteer service on land and water trails.

"Maintaining over 18,000 miles of trails is no small task," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "The Active Trail funds help parks across the country create or expand vital trail related projects, improving the visitor experience and encouraging engagement opportunities with each parks' gateway community."

Since 2008, the National Park Foundation has granted over $1.2 million through its Active Trails program. To date, Active Trails has engaged more than 3,100 volunteers and 86 project partners who combined have contributed over 13,000 hours to help promote, refurbish or build national park trails that were ultimately enjoyed by 291,000 visitors (and counting!).

The full list of 2012 Active Trails Grantees can be found here.


Jeff
Hiking Trails in the Smokies
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Travel Channel Partners with NPF for “Destination Summer” campaign

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

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The Travel Channel, the preeminent travel brand in the media landscape, will join with the National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America’s national parks, in a summer-long campaign to promote America’s 397 national parks. The primary goal of this alliance is to motivate support of our national parks by inspiring Travel Channel viewers to visit these adventure-packed and history-rich destinations as well encourage volunteerism and monetary donations to NPF.

Travel Channel will support the NPF partnership via a myriad of on- and off-air initiatives positioned under the Network’s “Destination Summer” campaign. Beginning Memorial Day and continuing through September, the Network will feature 30 hours of programming that puts the spotlight on America’s national parks. In addition, on Saturday, June 9, Travel Channel will celebrate “Get Outdoors Day” with an on-air and online marketing campaign showcasing the national parks through exclusive videos, slideshows and feature articles. The Network will also post exclusive, national park-related content on its Facebook, Foursquare, Pinterest and other social media platforms. NPF will cross-promote these efforts on its website and social media platforms.

“Through this Summer partnership, the National Park Foundation and Travel Channel, will provide the Network’s passionate viewers with the best tools and information to plan the perfect national park adventures,” said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “Together, we will also highlight the most effective ways we all can support and preserve these incredible places to ensure they remain one of the most engaging travel destinations for generations to come.”

Travel Channel’s programming campaign spotlighting America’s national parks will kick off on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, with numerous series and specials including: a “Get Outdoors” stack of programming that includes back-to-back episodes of “Best Parks Ever” which features iconic national parks including Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier, Great Smoky Mountains and Zion; and “Glamping,” which showcases glamorous camping in the wild. Other summer programming supporting the NPF partnership includes “Park Secrets,” the series that gives viewers everything they need to know to turn from tourist to traveler in America’s parks; and “Alaska Unleashed,” a one-hour special highlighting the best and most extreme adventures in Alaska.

A 2012 study by MMGY Global and the U.S. Travel Association found that television programming about U.S. destinations encourages domestic travel. Specifically, 61 percent of Travel Channel viewers reported conducting research to find out more about a U.S. destination featured in a TV program. Moreover, 39 percent of Travel Channel viewers said they are more likely to visit a U.S. destination after viewing a TV program on the topic.

Chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1967, NPF is founded on a legacy that began more than a century ago, when private citizens from all walks of life took action to establish and protect our national parks. Today, the foundation carries on that tradition as the only national nonprofit whose sole mission is to directly support the National Park Service.

Travel Channel is one of six popular television brands within the Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI) lifestyle media portfolio, which also includes Food Network and HGTV. SNI is committed to its corporate social responsibility program, serving as a positive force for change by focusing on one meal, one home and one community at a time through its Change the World initiatives. Travel Channel’s robust summer-long partnership with the National Park Foundation builds on more than $2.5 million in support that SNI has given to the Friends of the Smokies organization over the past several years to help protect and preserve the Great Smoky Mountains National Park located near SNI headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn. To learn more about all of SNI’s corporate social responsibility efforts, visit snichangetheworld.com.


Jeff
Hiking Trails in the Smokies
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National Park Foundation Awards Grant to Friends of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

Thursday, February 16, 2012

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The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, announced today that they are awarding the Friends of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park with a 2012 Impact Grant to support the development of the education DVD The Civil War at Cumberland Gap, which will look at the homefront and slavery issues along with the multiple military occupations at the historic Cumberland Gap. The grant is part of the National Park Foundation's Impact Grant program which gives parks the critical financial support needed to transform innovative, yet underfunded ideas into successful in-park programs and initiatives.

The project follows three factual family or personal histories that play out on a steadily progressing timeline of the Civil War. The Cumberland Gap's military history is necessarily part of the project, but the individual sagas of Appalachian people will be the mechanism for explaining the Civil War at the Cumberland Gap. Specifically, through re-enactors, three stories will be conveyed:

(1) The desperate and heartbreaking family struggles of Union Soldier Franklin Jones who deserts while in the military hospital at Cumberland Gap.

(2) The murder of a former slave known as Samuel by presumed bushwhackers is also investigated.

(3) The unusual final military confrontation at Cumberland Gap as experienced by a young Confederate homefront soldier named Jeremiah Dean.

These stories, superimposed over the Gap's military activities, provide an overview of the diverse experiences and highlight the divisiveness of the war as it existed in Tennessee and throughout the country. Lesson plans will accompany the educational DVD and will be aligned with the National Council for the Social Studies Standards and will meet all criteria for the No Child Left Behind initiative.

The project is expected to be completed in August 2012 with the DVD being provided free of charge to teachers and home schooled groups.

A precursor for the development of the education DVD is the story of Federal soldier Franklin Jones produced for WBIR-TV, the NBC affiliate in Knoxville, TN, as part of a long running program on that station known as The Heartland Series. The hour-long segment aired on WBIR during the fall of 2011.

"With these strategic grants, we have been able to positively impact hundreds of national parks across the country," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "This unique program helps the parks enhance the visitor experience, engaging more people, and ultimately building a stronger community of park enthusiasts who share an appreciation and commitment to protecting America's Best Idea, their national parks."

The National Park Foundation, in partnership with ARAMARK through the Yawkey Foundation, The Fernandez Pave the Way Foundation and The HISTORY Channel, awarded Impact Grant grants to 62 national parks across the country totaling more than $500,000. A full list of grantees is available on the National Park Foundation website.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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25 Unforgettable National Park Hikes

Saturday, October 22, 2011

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In the latest edition of GoParks, the National Park Foundation presents a quick guide to "25 Unforgettable National Park Hikes".

The list includes several classic hikes from Acadia to Zion, and everywhere in between. Making the list was the Andrews Bald hike in the Great Smoky Mountains. Most of the hikes are easy to moderate, but there are a couple of relatively strenuous hikes on the list. I've been fortunate enough to have hiked a couple of these trails, but there are a few that have been, or are now on my bucket list, such as The Narrows in Zion, Artist Point in Yosemite, and Bright Angel in the Grand Canyon.

You can view the entire list by clicking here (PDF file).


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Trail Talk

Monday, June 27, 2011

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Ever wondered about the best hikes, sites and activities in America’s national parks? Or are you unsure about how you should plan your next visit to a national park or what you should pack? Join the National Park Foundation for Trail Talk and get all of your questions answered!

Presented by the National Park Foundation and Merrell, Trail Talk is an opportunity for you to get an insider’s perspective from the experts themselves. Every two weeks during the summer, NPF will feature a different national park on their Facebook page. Fans of NPF will have the chance to submit any and all questions they have about that park. Trail Talk will then round up the questions, bring them to our friends at the national park and one of the park rangers will respond to the questions.

You can check out the latest Trail Talk with Ranger Tom Vandenberg at Glacier Bay National Park.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Help the National Park Foundation raise up to $600,000

Sunday, January 9, 2011

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Please take a moment to help the National Park Foundation raise up to $600,000 - with just one click!

From January 9th through January 21st, the National Park Foundation will be one of four charities competing for a percentage of a $1 million grant from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. As part of this unique challenge grant, each of the competing charities is guaranteed $100,000, but has the opportunity to raise up to $600,000! Public support through an online voting campaign will determine how the remaining $600,000 will be allotted to the participating charities.

The National Park Foundation is competing against Keep America Beautiful, Water.org, and American Forests.

You can cast your vote for the National Park Foundation daily at www.lowes.com/give or on Lowe's Facebook page. The NPF would also appreciate if you could help spread the word about this outstanding fundraising opportunity for our national parks.

Funds raised for the Foundation through this campaign will support national park restoration and preservation efforts, connect underserved communities to their parks, and give disadvantaged children the opportunity to experience their national parks for the first time. Every vote is critical.




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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National Park Foundation: Countdown to Christmas Sweepstakes

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

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The National Park Foundation has just launched the Countdown to Christmas sweepstakes. From December 20 through December 25, the National Park Foundation will be celebrating the holiday season by giving away exciting prizes to three lucky entrants daily. By going to the National Park Foundation Facebook page, visitors can enter to win one of eighteen National Park Foundation prize packs.

Some of the exciting prizes to be given away include the “America the Beautiful” park pass, Magellan GPS units, Olympus cameras, and LL Bean active wear. For easy reference, the prize packs will be listed on the National Park Foundation Facebook site daily.

For full sweepstake rules, description of prizes, and to enter, go to the National Park Foundation Facebook page.



Jeff
Smoky Mountains Day Hiker Store
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2010 Share the Experience Photo Contest

Saturday, August 28, 2010

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The National Park Foundation and Olympus are once again promoting their Share the Experience photo contest. The annual contest is the largest national park and public land photo contest for amateur photographers, and runs now through December 31, 2010.

The National Park Service and its partners are inviting amateur photographers to submit up to three photos to the Share the Experience contest through December 31, 2010. At the end of the submission period the public will be invited to vote for their favorite photo.

Photo entries in the contest will vie for a chance to win a $1799 Olympus Camera package that includes a trip to a Federal Recreation Area of your choice. There are fourteen chances to win national recognition and many great prizes.

For more information and to enter the contest, please click here.

Share the Experience is the official photo contest of America's national parks and federal recreation lands. Sponsored by Olympus and the National Park Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service, the Share the Experience Photo Contest showcases the more than 500 million acres of Federal Lands and draws entries from all across the United States.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Passport to the Parks Sweepstakes

Thursday, August 26, 2010

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The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, recently launched its "Passport to the Parks Sweepstakes".

Running through September 10th, the foundation teamed up with Sunset Magazine and Merrell to give away 5 national park "packs" loaded with national park gear and information — including a national park pass.

Individuals can enter daily for their chance to win one of the five national park pack giveaways:

* America The Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass

* $200 Merrell gift certificate and Merrell Search backpack

* Fodor’s Official Guide to America’s National Parks

* National Park Foundation baseball cap

* 12-edition subscription to Sunset Magazine, Sunset outdoor fleece, Sunset T-shirt and Sunset water bottle.

No purchase is necessary to enter, and the sweepstakes are open to contiguous U.S. residents 18 and older. For complete contest rules and to enter, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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National Park Foundation Launches Disaster Recovery Fund

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

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Last week, the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service established the National Parks Disaster Recovery Fund to help national parks recover from future natural and manmade disasters. The fund was immediately activated by Director Jarvis and NPF President and CEO Neil Mulholland to begin raising funds that will be available to Gulf parks for immediate needs throughout the oil spill disaster as well as long-term monitoring of the health of damaged ecosystems.

No funds raised will be used to mitigate the liability of any responsible parties for the injuries caused by the oil spill.

“The federal government’s unprecedented response to the environmental disaster in the Gulf is matched only by the desire of the American people to help,” said Tom Strickland, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks of the U.S. Department of the Interior. “Thanks to this effort by the National Park Foundation, those who wish to help us protect national parks threatened by the oil spill can do so.”

Individuals wishing to support this effort may visit www.nationalparks.org, or text “PARKS” to 90999 on their mobile device to make a $10 donation. Funds raised between now and July 1, 2010, will go directly to the impacted parks in the Gulf and support critical and immediate needs as well as sustained scientific study of maintenance of impacted ecosystems.

Parks in the projected path of the Gulf oil spill include:

* Big Cypress National Preserve
* Biscayne National Park
* De Soto National Memorial
* Dry Tortugas National Park
* Everglades National Park
* Gulf Islands National Seashore
* Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
* Padre Island National Seashore

To learn more, visit http://myaccount.nationalparks.org/GulfSpill.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.
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Win a Trip to One of America's Most Popular National Parks

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

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In celebration of Ken Burns’s landmark documentary, “America’s Best Idea: The National Parks,” airing on PBS throughout February, the National Park Foundation and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations are giving you a chance to explore your land – with a free trip to one of America’s most popular national parks.

Participating is easy – just share with the world one, or all, of your favorite spots in America’s national parks. Anytime during the month of February, visit the NPF website to explore America’s national parks online, and then mark your spot by sharing your favorite moments, stories and experiences. Individuals that add their spot to at least one park will be entered to win a three night trip for two, including lodging and airfare, to their choice of the following destinations located in, or within close proximity, to some of America’s most beloved parks:

* Shenandoah National Park
* Mesa Verde National Park
* Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
* Denali National Park
* Glacier Bay National Park
* Yellowstone National Park & Grand Teton National Park
* Olympic National Park

The grand prize winner will also receive a $300 resort credit to use towards meals and/or activities (cannot be used towards lodging, retail, fuel, or any non-ARAMARK managed operations), and an official “America’s Best Idea” book signed by filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan. In addition, twenty runner-up winners will receive an “America’s Best Idea” poster signed by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, and a limited edition National Park Foundation “America’s Best Idea” t-shirt.

Individuals can add one new spot to the NPF website each day to increase their chances of winning. The National Park Foundation and ARAMARK Parks and Destinations will announce the winners in March. For more information and complete contest rules, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store Wide selection of hiking, travel and history books related to the Great Smoky Mountains and the surrounding region. We also carry top quality gear and apparel from some of the best outdoor brands.
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National Parks: America's Best Idea Trivia Contest

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

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I just got an email from the National Park Foundation stating that they are holding a Trivia Contest after each episode of the Ken Burns film, The National Parks: America's Best Idea.

Each night after watching a new episode you'll have a chance to answer a trivia question. If you answer correctly, your name will be entered into a daily prize drawing. You can enter after each night for multiple chances to win.

Click here for the link to the contest.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store Quality gear and apparel from some of the best outdoor brands.
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“Your Parks” video challenge

Saturday, July 11, 2009

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The National Park Foundation just announced their first “Your Parks” video challenge.

The grand prize winner will win an exclusive, all-expense paid trip for two to the national park of his/her choice, an Olympus PEN camera kit, and a Federal Recreation Lands Pass.

The National Park Foundation wants to know what America's National Parks mean to you. How do they inspire you? Why are they important? Why should we protect them?

You’ll need to submit your video, up to two minutes in length, between July 8th and September 14th, and then vote for your favorite (voting begins September 1st). Together fans voting online, along with the National Park Foundation and Olympus, will crown the winners.

There will also be 10 runner-up winners who will take home an Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 digital camera and a Federal Recreation Lands Pass.

For more information, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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