National Park Foundation Launches 'Ticket To Ride' - Providing Needed Transportation for Thousands of Kids to America's National Parks

National Park Foundation Launches 'Ticket To Ride' - Providing Needed Transportation for Thousands of Kids to America's National Parks

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  With children spending less time being active outdoors and school budgets for field trips shrinking, the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, is stepping up to help.  Today, the National Park Foundation launches "Ticket To Ride" a new program providing the much needed funds to make national park field trips possible.  The initial grant of $117,000 will make it possible for young people across the country to experience America's national parks during this school year.

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"We are dedicated to giving all audiences an equal and abundant opportunity to experience, enjoy and support these special places – especially our young people," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "'Ticket to Ride' makes it possible for us to engage the younger generation in a life changing experience, while simultaneously developing future park stewards who will support these treasured places for years to come."

The National Park Foundation recognizes that one of the greatest barriers preventing our youth from experiencing the national parks around them is transportation. The goal of the "Ticket to Ride" program is to provide efficient transportation support for students to visit our national parks. This goal is shared with our partners at the National Park Service as we strive to provide this vital transportation to at least 100,000 students per year.

Dedicated to giving our young people a "Ticket to Ride," the National Park Foundation is ensuring students do not miss the opportunity to directly experience America's national parks. Once in the parks, a world of learning begins as young people discover their natural, cultural and historical heritage, participate in volunteer and service-learning activities, enjoy recreational opportunities and most importantly, begin a lifelong relationship with their national parks.

For more information about the "Ticket to Ride" program and ways to support this and the other exceptional National Park Foundation programs, go to www.nationalparks.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

You are the owner of 84 million acres of the world's most treasured memorials, 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.

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CONTACT:Marjorie Hall, +1-202-354-6480, [email protected]

SOURCE National Park Foundation