Department Of Interior

Office of the Secretary
Contact: Kathryn Harrington
For Immediate Release: July 21, 2004
202-208-6502
 

Secretary Norton Announces the Designation of Estes Park, Colo. as a Take Pride in America City

Take Pride in America Western States Tour to kick-off July 22

 

ESTES PARK, Colo. - Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton announced today that the Town of Estes Park, Colo. has been designated as a Take Pride in America City and recognized as the first in the state of Colorado. Norton noted that a Take Pride in America City designation is bestowed upon a city or municipality that supports the mission and goals of Take Pride. The city then agrees to sponsor two or more events such as an award ceremony or a clean-up event in its community.

"This cooperative effort in Colorado is a prime example of the Interior Department's Take Pride in America program approach across the country to encourage volunteer stewardship of our public lands," Norton said. "Other states and cities are also joining in these kinds of volunteer and conservation programs for the benefit of all who use and enjoy state, federal and local public lands."

Norton, along with Take Pride in America Executive Director Marti Allbright, also kicked-off a Take Pride in America Western States Tour. The tour will engage volunteers in meaningful service-to-the-land projects at events scheduled through Labor Day. On Thursday, July 22, 2004, Allbright will join a number of community groups to refurbish picnic areas below Olympus Dam in Estes Park before heading to Colorado Springs and on to Oregon, California, and Utah.
"We have the privilege to enjoy these public places, and it is up to us to take care of them," said Norton. "Volunteerism and partnership are the key to good stewardship. Each one of us can find a way to chip in and keep America beautiful."

In strong support of volunteerism on public lands, a Take Pride in America Charter Partner, Unilever, is co-sponsoring the Take Pride western tour. They are donating 100 percent recycled plastic lumber picnic tables to Estes Park, as well as continuing their sustainable lumber donation to the National Park Service, and assisting with the 2004 Take Pride in America National Awards ceremony September 21, 2004, in Washington, DC.

Additionally, Unilever and fellow Take Pride Charter Partner, Forever Resorts, a National Park Service concessionaire, will sponsor volunteer projects in Rocky Mountain National Park during 2005. Together, Unilever and Forever Resorts will contribute recycled plastic lumber, and recruit and oversee a major volunteer effort to use this lumber to enhance visitor experiences and protect park resources.

For more than a decade, Unilever, a manufacturer and marketer of home, personal care and foods products, has worked with more than 175 national parks, donating sustainable lumber to some 125 National Park units to use for boardwalks, docks, and site amenities, including the entire boardwalk and decking system around Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. In addition, Unilever has sponsored volunteer events in more than 100 national parks and public land areas. Its National Parks America Tour volunteer initiative has an estimated value of $1.6 million in service annually.

About Take Pride in America

Take Pride in America is a national partnership that aims to seek, support and recognize volunteers who work to improve our public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds, and other recreation areas. With 100 Charter Partners, Take Pride involves federal, state and local governments, conservation, youth and recreation groups, and top national corporations and organizations. Together, we protect and enhance the special legacy all Americans share - our public lands that cover one in every three acres across the nation. For more information visit: www.TakePride.gov.

 




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