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E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Delaware North Parks Services Goes 'Green' on Earth Day ... and Every Day |
National Parks' Earth Day Activities Kick Off National Park Week,
Encourage Visitors to Celebrate |
BUFFALO, NEW YORK, Apr. 12 -/E-Wire/-- Each year, nearly 300 million people visit America's 385 national parks. But this April, park guests will find additional attractions at Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Grand Canyon National Park and other properties served by Delaware North Parks Services (DNPS), the nation's leading provider of hospitality, food service and visitor services at national and state parks and attractions. DNPS staff plans on offering a plethora of environmentally friendly activities to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and launch this year's National Park Week, April 22-28.
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"Earth Day and National Park Week are special times for individuals and families to celebrate the rich tradition of our parks and participate in innovative educational and conservation programs to give back to the planet,' said Bruce Fears, president of DNPS. "We're excited about the activities offered at our various properties and hope that we can direct even more attention to conservation efforts.'
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Scheduled activities promise to capture the young and the "young at heart' while focusing on environmentally friendly practices. To commemorate Earth Day and National Park Week, DNPS parks will offer "recycle' hikes and tours, volunteer clean-up projects and conservation displays. Specific events include:
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* Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds-One hundred fourth- and fifth-graders will be on hand as the park sponsors several educational displays, including organic waste composting, native plant propagation/planting and coastal ecology. Also, guests are invited to tour the dunes, participate in a beach clean-up project, and be entertained by Elaina Smith, recycling coordinator for Waste Management, and her talking robot "Cycler."
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* Grand Canyon National Park-Once again, area schools will participate in the "Earth Day Bags" program, putting Earth Day messages on paper grocery bags for the park's stores. DNPS at Grand Canyon is also sponsoring a T-shirt design contest and several re-vegetation projects.
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* Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex-This year, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will approach Earth Day from a different perspective-a bird's-eye view. The park is premiering its new 3-D IMAX "Space Station," narrated by Academy-Award(c) nominee Tom Cruise. Moviegoers will be able to celebrate Earth Day from 220 miles above the planet, looking down from the International Space Station.
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* Yosemite National Park-Again, school-age children will be encouraged to participate in the "Earth Day Bag" art project. For civic-minded volunteers, the park has organized a restoration/trash pick-up project in Yosemite Valley. Guests can also enjoy a free performance of "Yosemite Theatre Presents John Muir," celebrating John Muir's birthday on April 21, and performances of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax and "Earth Music & Voices," as well as an Ansel Adams conservation display.
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The DNPS commitment to conservation, however, goes well beyond Earth Day. The company works daily to reduce waste and conserve energy at each of its facilities in accordance with GreenPath, the company's own environmental management program. Under the ISO 14001-registered environmental management program, Yosemite Concession Services Corporation, the division of DNPS that operates guest services at Yosemite National Park, recycles 33 different materials, diverting 43 percent of its solid waste (or 1,685 tons per year) from local landfills. In addition, during the past three years, Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds has reduced water consumption by 7 million gallons.
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GreenPath's success has generated an endorsement from the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA): "Delaware North's achievement of ISO 14001 registration for its national park operations moves it beyond the current standards for environmental compliance and clearly demonstrates the seriousness of its commitment to excellence in national park protection,' said Thomas C. Kiernan, president of NPCA.
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About DNPS
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When DNPS assumed the management of all visitor services at Yosemite National Park in 1993, the company quickly became known in the industry for its innovative practices and management style. Today, it continues its leadership position with national and state parks, but has also expanded its presence with a greater emphasis on hospitality and entertainment. While DNPS has always managed hotels and resorts within client venues, the company became a hotel owner in its own right when it purchased Tenaya Lodge, a premier resort and conference center in California. With $250 million in annual revenue, 2,500 guestrooms and 4,000 associates, DNPS has established itself as a leading hotel management company and an industry leader in the travel and entertainment marketplace.
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The company's portfolio of locations includes Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Yosemite, Sequoia and Grand Canyon national parks, Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, Niagara Falls State Park, Jones Beach State Park, Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center, Jetty Park, Roaring River Inn and Conference Center, and the U.S. Mint. The company was recently awarded the retail contract at Yellowstone National Park, with operations commencing in 2003.
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Delaware North Parks Services is a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, Inc., one of the world's leading hospitality and food service providers with six other operating units including American Park 'n Swap, CA One Services, Delaware North Companies International, Boston's FleetCenter, Sportservice and Sportsystems. The corporation is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with more than $1.6 billion in annual revenue and 25,000 associates serving millions of customers in the United States, Canada and the Pacific Rim.
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/SOURCE:
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Delaware North Parks Services |
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04-12-2002 |
/CONTACT:
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Melissa Lackey or Cheri Thornhill,
The Standing Partnership,
314-469-3500,
-or-
Mary Burich,
Delaware North Parks Services,
800-828-7240 x 5420 |
| /WEB SITE: |
http://http://www.delawarenorth.com
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