NPF Junior Ranger Contest

Date: April 7, 2009
Contact: Dan Puskar, 202-354-6462

The National Park Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the 2009 Junior Ranger Essay Contest, 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 Junior Ranger Essay Contest
1201 Eye Street N.W.
Suite 550-B
Washington, D.C. 20005

The 2009 National Park Foundation Junior Ranger Essay Contest is sponsored by Unilever, Proud Partner of America’s National Parks, as part of the its ongoing commitment to the National Park Junior Ranger program.

To submit your entry online and view the official rules, visit: www.nationalparks.org/essaycontest

About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation is an independent charitable organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks. As the official national non-profit partner of America’s National Parks, the Foundation raises private funds, makes strategic grants, creates

innovative partnerships and increases public awareness about the need and opportunity for park philanthropy. In its 2008 fiscal year, the National Park Foundation distributed grants and program support of $27.3M. To learn more, visit www.nationalparks.org.

About Unilever
Unilever’s mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Each day, around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. In the United States, the portfolio includes major brand icons such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Klondike, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever employs more than 14,000 people in both the United States and Puerto Rico – generating nearly $11 billion in sales in 2007.

For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com.