Governor Brian Schweitzer Awards Glacier National Park Centennial Committee with Partnership of the Year

Date: April 18, 2011
Contact: Ellen Blickhan, 406-888-5838

WEST GLACIER, MONT. - The Montana Tourism and Recreation Office recently recognized over 40 Glacier centennial partners and 100 volunteers for their leadership and work during Glacier National Park's 100th Anniversary. The Centennial Committee, comprised of community organizations, local businesses, park concessioners, park partners, tribal councils, and National Park Service employees, received the 'Partnership of the Year' award at the annual Governor's Conference on Tourism and Recreation in late March.

In 2010, Glacier National Park had its 100th year Centennial Celebration. The partners invested more than 1,000 hours of service commemorating the park's rich history and inspiring personal connections. The group coordinated over 140 centennial activities with 58 various organizations. They also helped 81 local businesses reduce their carbon footprint, developed 184 centennial products with 47 vendors, sponsored an art contest with 113 artists, and produced a book of selected stories with contributions from 240 authors.

"Our centennial commemoration exemplified the mission of the National Park Service in a meaningful and inspiring manner - in fact, many other national parks are replicating the anniversary model that our centennial partners were instrumental in creating and implementing," said Superintendent Chas Cartwright. "This award recognizes the shared sense of purpose and true partnership involved in the outstanding effort. We appreciate everyone's effort on behalf of the park and we commend the Centennial Committee. What a legacy!"

These awards are presented annually to individuals, events, partnerships and communities whose efforts to promote or develop Montana's tourism opportunities have preserved or enhanced tourism's role in Montana's economy. A list of previous award winners can be found at: http://travelmontana.state.mt.us/conference/awards.asp

At the awards ceremony in Helena, Montana, the Glacier Centennial Committee received a glass etched award presented by Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger.

In May 2010, the Glacier Centennial Committee received the National George B. Hartzog Award as the Outstanding Volunteer Group of Year for the National Park Service. The George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service recognize the time, talent, innovation, and hard work contributed to national parks through the Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) Program. 

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