Visit www.first-bloom.org to Vote for Your Favorite Garden Design April 15-May 16

Voters Are Entered to Win One of Three National Park Prize Packages

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, announced the unveiling of the 2011 "First Bloom" Garden Design Contest.  The contest challenges First Bloom youth groups around the country to create the best garden design.  "First Bloom" is a National Park Foundation program giving 4th- 6th grade youth firsthand experience in national parks, and teaches important conservation lessons including the difference between native and invasive plant species.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090630/DC40408LOGO)

From April 15-May 16, 2011, the public is invited to vote on garden designs that individual First Bloom groups have created at www.first-bloom.org.   The First Bloom group with the most votes will win a prize focused on increasing their connection with national parks that they will design with the National Park Foundation.  Last year's winners visited national parks in Washington, DC and Shenandoah National Park.  NPF is also awarding at random three NPF prize packages to voters who participate.  Each member of the public is allowed to cast their vote once daily, with each vote increasing the chances of winning.

"The First Bloom Garden Design Contest is a fun and creative way for the groups to take the knowledge and skills they've learned and put them to good use in the national parks," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation.  "The garden design experience will engender a life-long commitment to conservation and a love for the outdoors."

The Garden Design Contest is the culmination of a year of project work for the First Bloom students in partnership with their local national parks, where they have learned important lessons about stewardship and conservation.  The nationwide program is currently taking place in 24 national parks in partnership with 24 youth groups across the country.  

To view a gallery of the First Bloom garden designs, cast a vote for your favorite design and learn more about the First Bloom program, please visit www.first-bloom.org.  

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

You are the owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured landscapes, ecosystems, and historic sites -- all protected in America's nearly 400 national parks.  Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks.  We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow.  Join us in supporting your national parks -- this is your land.  www.nationalparks.org.

JOIN US – www.nationalparks.org  
FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/nationalpark  
TWITTER -  http://twitter.com/goparks

CONTACT: David French, 202.354.1899, dfrench@nationalparks.org

SOURCE National Park Foundation