NPS Junior Ranger Logo

The National Park Foundation is sponsoring the 2009 Junior Ranger Essay Contest and is asking youth across the country to share their big ideas on how to protect and preserve America's National Parks.

This year, the National Park Foundation is asking students aged 9 to 12 this question:  Why are our national parks important to you and what is your best idea to protect our parks for the future?

The First Prize winner will receive a $1,000 Visa gift card and the opportunity to direct a $5,000 contribution from the National Park Foundation to his or her favorite national park.  This contribution will be used to help put into action big ideas like those included in the winning essay.

Kids aged 9 to 12, with the help of a parent or guardian, have through May 1, 2009 to submit an essay of no more than 500 words.  Entries may be submitted online at www.nationalparks.org/essaycontest or by mail at:
National Park Foundation
ATTN:  2009 National Park Foundation Junior Ranger Essay Contest
1201 Eye Street N.W.
Suite 550-B
Washington, D.C. 20005