National Park Trust (NPT) will honor California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with the 2009 Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award on October 29, 2009 for his leadership and innovation in the protection of public lands in California and for his life-long commitment to children's health and to connecting them with the outdoors.

California's unprecedented budget crisis forced the postponement of the event this past June and threatened to close up to a third of California State Parks; however, the Governor announced on Friday a plan to keep state parks open, "Working closely with my Departments of Finance and Parks and Recreation, we have successfully found a way to avoid closing parks this year," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "This is fantastic news for all Californians."

The plan includes steps such as cutting back on maintenance, delaying the purchase of equipment and reducing days of operation in some parks, hours of operation in others. The Governor will provide more details at the Vento reception in October.

National Park Trust Board Chair, F. William Brownell says, "The budget crisis in California emphasizes the importance of organizations like NPT who work to develop and to leverage resources to protect our parks. We discussed the matter of park closures with the Governor in June and are hopeful that our concerns have contributed to this resolution. NPT is committed to working with California to support the continued viability of the state's parks; we will support California's efforts to develop long-term solutions to keep them open."

NPT will recognize Governor Schwarzenegger for his overall record in land conservation, the highlights of which include the creation of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, the protection of important coastal areas in California, the preservation and stewardship of related forests and stream habitat, and his initiatives promoting youth fitness and out-of-doors experiences, exemplified in California Children's Bill of Rights. NPT also recognizes the Governor for his leadership in addressing climate change and alternative energy. Through a generous donation, the event will be carbon neutral.

NPT also celebrates the Governor's belief in the value of public-private partnerships, including the necessity of bi-partisanship to achieve lasting environmental progress. His achievements in California epitomize NPT's vision that "Everyone will have an American Park Experience."

Each year NPT honors a public servant with the Vento Award for his or her commitment to the environment, service, and innovation in support of our public lands. The Award was established in 2000 by NPT to honor the memory and legacy of Bruce F. Vento, a twelve-term Congressman from Minnesota who was a committed environmentalist and a champion of legislation for America's parks.

Recent recipients have included: Senator Harry Reid (NV), Congressman George Miller (CA) and Senator John McCain (AZ). The award is presented annually in the spring at a reception in Washington, DC.

National Park Trust is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of our nation's critical parklands and reconnecting our youth to nature, especially those that are underserved. All proceeds from the event will 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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