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Date: September 21, 2009
Contact: Paula Valentine, 631-687-4759
Contact: Irene Rosen, 631-687-4765

Patchogue, New York— On Saturday, September 26, national parks across the country are hosting special events and activities to celebrate America's Best Idea—a system of national parks. The National Park Service (NPS) and the National Park Foundation have provided each NPS area with snippets of Ken Burns' new documentary, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, which premieres on PBS on Sunday, September 27. Fire Island National Seashore will show this 45-minute program at three of its visitor centers (Fire Island Lighthouse, Sailors Haven, and Fire Island Wilderness), and offer additional programs and tours throughout the day on Saturday, September 26.

"I'm surprised by how many people on Long Island don't realize they have national parks in their own back yards," stated Superintendent Chris Soller. "Fire Island National Seashore is truly a special place," he continued, "and if you haven't discovered what a jewel it is, please join us for a late season tour and catch a sneak preview of the latest Ken Burns film."

• At the Fire Island Lighthouse, the "America's Best Idea" video clips will be shown from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., with a special "First Bloom" kick-off program at 2 p.m.
• At Sailors Haven, a ranger-guided Sunken Forest Walk is at 11 a.m., followed by showings of the "America's Best Idea" video clips at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• At the Wilderness Visitor Center, the "America's Best Idea" video clips will be shown at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. A special Junior Ranger program, "Creating Your Own National Park," will be offered at 2 p.m. for kids ages 8 – 12. Reservations are required for the Junior Ranger program (631-281-3010).

These programs are just a few among many occurring in the national parks across the country on September 26, which is also National Public Lands Day.

The nationwide program is cosponsored by the National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org), the National Park Service's Congressionally-chartered philanthropic partner. See www.nps.gov/September26 for more information.

For more information about Fire Island National Seashore, visit the park’s home page at www.nps.gov/fiis. For more information about these programs, contact Irene Rosen at 631-687-4765.

• PDF version of this press release