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Columbia Falls, Mont. - On Saturday, August 29, Flathead Valley residents will have the opportunity to view a ‘sneak peek’ of the forthcoming PBS/WETA premiere of Ken Burn’s documentary,“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”  Along with this preview, attendees will have the opportunity to hear remarks by Dayton Duncan, co-producer and longtime colleague of Ken Burns.  Glacier National Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright will also be on hand to share brief remarks.  

Hosted by the Glacier National Park Fund (GNPF) and the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) this ‘sneak peek” will take place at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish on Saturday, August 29, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.  Tickets are currently available at each of the four Montana Coffee Trader locations.  Seating is limited to 250 people.  Light refreshments of iced tea, coffee and cookies will be provided by Coffee Traders and GPI.
 
Duncan, who also wrote the script, has visited all but one of America’s 58 national parks and said of the project:  “Making this film was one of the greatest joys of my life.” He is also the author of the film’s companion book to be published by Alfred Knopf. 

“We are very fortunate to have the chance to meet and hear from Dayton Duncan as he describes his six year experience working on the forthcoming six-part Ken Burns documentary about our national parks,” said Jane Ratzlaff, executive director for The Glacier National Park Fund.  “We also wish to thank Glacier Park Inc., Montana Coffee Traders, and the Flathead Beacon for donating their services in support of this special event.”

“The Fund and NPCA’s Glacier Field Office are excited to sponsor this event for the Flathead Valley community,” said Will Hammerquist, program manager for the NPCA Glacier Field Office.  “This sneak preview and the six-part Ken Burns PBS series are a unique opportunity to learn the inspiring national story of America’s national parks.” 
   
Duncan’s visit, presentation and the preview of “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” are sponsored by the Glacier National Park Fund and the National Parks Conservation Association with support from Montana PBS.

The 12-hour, six-part PBS/WETA series about the history of the National Park System will air Sunday, September 27, 2009, through Friday, October 2, 2009.  Go to www.pbs.org/nationalparks for more information and video clips about the development of this latest Ken Burns production.

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The Glacier National Park Fund (GNPF)

The Glacier National Park Fund is the non-profit fund raising partner for Glacier National Park. Their mission is to preserve and protect the natural beauty and heritage of the Park for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  For further information about the Fund, call 406-892-3250 or go to www.glaciernationalparkfund.org.

National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Northern Rockies, Glacier Field Office

In order to better protect and represent the wondrous national parks of the Northern Rockies, including crown jewels such as Glacier National Park, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) opened a Northern Rockies Regional Office in 1999. Within two years, this office opened two field offices in Whitefish, Montana, near Glacier National.  The Glacier Field Office was the first field office opened by NPCA.  For more information, contact Will Hammerquist, Program Manager, at 406-862-6722 or whammerquist@npca.org.