The National Park Foundation And Casio Launch "Share The Experience" Photo Contest

Millions of Americans will visit America’s parks, forests, fishing holes and monuments this summer—most of them with camera in hand to capture their adventures on film. The National Park Foundation and Casio invite all of these summer travelers to share their experience through a nationwide photo contest. The annual contest benefits America's federal recreational lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service. Prizes include Casio Exilim Zoom Cameras, a Ford Escape Hybrid and vacations to federal recreation areas. The Grand Prize winning image will grace the front of the 2008 Federal Recreation Lands Pass.

Amateur photographers can enter up to three photos taken at any of America’s federal recreation lands. There are two photo categories that will be judged. The first is for the front of the Federal Recreation Lands Pass and will be judged on creativity, visual appeal and ability to show the diversity and richness of America’s federal lands, among other things. The second category, Family Fun, will award photos that show families enjoying the federal recreation sites, have visual appeal and include an unexpected perspective. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges from the benefiting agencies, the National Park Foundation and Casio.

“Casio is proud to bring this contest to the American people on behalf of the special places in America they love and we acknowledge that with today’s technology, you do not need to be a pro to take great pictures, said Bill Heuer, Senior Vice President of Casio’s Digital Imaging Division. “The natural scenery and American historical sites provide the perfect backdrop for summer memory-making. For most people we know it won’t be a question of which shots to take, but which shots to enter in the contest.”

A complete list of contest rules and official entry forms are available in all participating federal recreation lands and online at http://www.sharetheexperience.org. A gallery of entries will be made available online beginning August 15th.

“Americans have been enjoying and supporting protected lands for more than a century,” said Jessica Murphey, Vice President of Development at the National Park Foundation. “Sharing the experience through the photo contest and gallery means that we can continue to chronicle the important role these places play in the present and evolving history of America.”

About the National Park Foundation

The National Park Foundation (http://www.nationalparks.org) is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century-long tradition of private philanthropy to help preserve and enhance the legacy of our National Parks. As the official non-profit partner of America’s National Parks, the National Park Foundation strengthens the connection between the American people and their National Parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Support for the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving history and rich heritage of our Nation remains vital and relevant.

About Casio

Casio, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipments solutions, established in 1957. Casio Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution” through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit http://www.casiousa.com.

About the Federal Recreational Lands Pass

The Federal Recreational Lands Pass will provide access to all participating Federal Land Management Agency sites where entrance and standard amenity fees are charged. This new pass will replace the National Parks Pass and other federal recreational lands passes. More than 80% of the revenue will support the site where you purchase the pass and support vital federal lands projects. The new pass will be available at federal recreation land management entrance stations, ranger stations and visitor centers starting January 2007 and will be valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. More information about our federal recreation lands visit http://www.recreation.gov.