- May 11, 2009 - The National Park Trust intends to make the Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award Reception honoring Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger carbon neutral -- thanks to a generous contribution from Hunton and Williams and California-based CantorCO2e.

On June 2, 2009 NPT will honor Governor Schwarzenegger for his achievements in land conservation and his commitment to reconnecting the nation’s youth to the outdoors. NPT will also honor the Governor for his national leadership in setting limits on carbon emissions.

"NPT's mission is to conserve critical parklands and to provide important recreational and educational parkland opportunities for current and future generations. Working to make the Vento event carbon neutral is a manifestation of the Trust's commitment to environmental conservation, and is a tribute to Governor Schwarzenegger's leadership role in environmental preservation," says NPT Board Chair, F. William Brownell.

NPT plans to purchase verifiable carbon credits to offset the emissions caused by travel of attendees, including the Governor, as well as energy consumed by the venue and catering service. Carbon credits purchased will be permanently retired, so that they are no longer circulated in the carbon trading market system. The green house gas emissions will be mitigated or captured through carbon sequestration by preserving or reforesting forest land most likely in California.

What is Carbon Neutral?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the major greenhouse gases causing global warming. Being "carbon neutral" means removing as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as we put in.

About NPT
The National Park Trust is the nation's only organization dedicated to the completion of the American system of National and State Parks through the identification of key land acquisition needs and opportunities, the convening of potential funders to acquire these lands, as well as increasing efforts to ensure that future generations appreciate and experience this national heritage.

About our Partners: For more information about Hunton and Williams, go to http://www.hunton.com/. For more about CantoCO2e, go to http://www.cantorco2e.com/.

The Vento Reception
The Vento reception will be held on June 2nd at the Columbus Club/East Hall, Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington DC. If you would like to purchase tickets to the event or become a sponsor, contact NPT Executive Director, Grace Lee, at 301-279-7275 or email grace@parktrust.org. All proceeds to benefit NPT's land conservation and youth education programs.

National Park Trust

National Park Trust

The National Park Trust is a nonprofit 501c3 organization. NPT is the nation’s only organization dedicated to the completion, and the full appreciation, of the American system of National and State Parks through the identification of key land acquisition needs and opportunities, the convening of potential funders to acquire these lands, as well increasing efforts to ensure that future generations appreciate and experience this national heritage.

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