TUCSON, Ariz. (July 31, 2009) -- A local expo celebrating the nation’s park system has three events scheduled to encourage families to get outside and enjoy the National Parks.

The “National Parks Family Expo” on Saturday, August 29 features activities and interactive displays encouraging people to visit and enjoy the U.S. national parks. The National Parks Family Expo runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of Centennial Hall on the University of Arizona campus, and is presented by Arizona Public Media in partnership with the Friends of Saguaro National Park, the Udall Foundation and the Western National Parks Association.

Following the outdoor expo is a special screening of the new PBS documentary from filmmaker Ken Burns, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” The screening takes place indoors at Centennial Hall and is scheduled to include a prerecorded introduction from director Burns as well as highlights from the film. (Part 1 of “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” premieres Sunday, September 27 at 8 p.m. on PBS-HD.)

Following the special screening is the panel discussion, “Community Conversation: The State of the National Parks,” moderated by Arizona Illustrated Host Bill Buckmaster and emceed by Ellen Wheeler, executive director of the Udall Foundation. Confirmed for the panel are Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado, Chairman of the National Parks Subcommittee for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Congressman Raul Grijalva, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands for the House Committee on Natural Resources; and Darla Sidles, Superintendent of Saguaro National Park.

More information on this special family event -- including the latest participants in the “State of the National Parks” panel discussion -- can be found on the Community page of the Arizona Public Media website at www.AZpublicmedia.org Twitter users can follow the latest exciting National Parks Family Expo happenings -- including exclusive day-of-event special offers -- at www.Twitter.com/natlparksexpo

More information on this special event can also be found on the Arizona Public Media Facebook page.

At a glance
National Parks Family Expo with special screening of “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” and “State of the National Parks” panel discussion

When
Saturday, August 29, 2009 National Parks Family Expo on Centennial Hall grounds, 2 – 4 p.m. Special screening of “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” 4 – 5 p.m. Panel discussion, “The State of the National Parks,” 5 – 6 p.m.

Where
Centennial Hall on the University of Arizona campus, 1020 E. University Blvd.

How much
Free to the general public

What National Parks Family Expo, an outdoor exposition featuring activities and displays in support of the national parks. Expo is followed by a one-hour special prescreening of the new PBS documentary from Ken Burns, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” Screening is followed by community panel discussion, “State of the National Parks,” including Colorado Senator Mark Udall, U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva and Saguaro National Park Superintendent Darla Sidles.

Web More info can be found on the Community page of the AZPM.org website

More event info
Contact: Erin Deely, Outreach Coordinator, Arizona Public Media, 626-3383

About Arizona Public Media
Arizona Public Media® is a member-supported non-profit media organization of The University of Arizona, this year celebrating 50 years of public broadcasting service to Southern Arizona. Arizona Public Media (AZPM) station KUAT Channel 6 offers Channel 6-1 PBS-HD; 6-2 V-me (en español); 6-3 Create; and KUAS Channel 27 offers Channel 27-1 PBS-HD; 27-2 PBS Kids; 27-3 PBS World; the UA Channel (Cox 116/Comcast 76), classical music station KUAT-FM 90.5/89.7; NPR affiliate KUAZ 1550AM/89.1 FM; and the Ahora channel (en español) on KUAZ-HD2. AZPM also produces award-winning original local programming from its digital studios on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. More information on programming and community events can be found at the AZpublicmedia.org website.

Arizona Public Media is a registered trademark of the Arizona Board of Regents.