Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 26, 2013
Contact:
State Park Ambassador from Virginia wins national honor
Elizabeth
Stapleton of Charlottesville, Va., has been named the 2013 Exceptional
Ambassador by America's State Parks. Stapleton, a youth ambassador at large for
Virginia State Parks, received a $500 gift card from STIHL Inc., one of the
program's sponsors.
State Park
Ambassadors are youths aged 16 to 28 who are encouraged to visit state parks
and share their experiences through social media. They promote awareness of the
nation's state parks and encourage a healthy outdoor lifestyle.
Ms.
Stapleton's award was part of a larger recruitment campaign for new ambassadors
for America's State Parks Youth Ambassadors programs. Incentives for participation were given to all
220 State Park Ambassadors nationwide with prizes given to 2013's top two
ambassadors. Lance Gideon from Modoc, Ind., was the 2013 State Park Ambassador
of the Year for posting 28 blogs on the ASP website this
season. Ms. Stapleton, 20, a student at
the University of Virginia, posted 18 blogs.
The 2013
State Park Ambassador recruitment campaign was supported by grants from the Coca-Cola
Foundation and STIHL Inc. through America's State Parks Foundation.
“I'm proud
of the achievements of our State Park Ambassadors,” said Joe Elton, co-founder
of America's State Parks and director of the Virginia State Park system. “These
young Americans serve as role models for their peers by inviting others to
explore and enjoy the wonders of state parks. I'm particularly happy that one
of our Virginia State Park Ambassadors, Elizabeth Stapleton, received high
honors this season for her contributions to America's State Parks.”
America's State Parks is an alliance
of public and private organizations established in 2009 to promote and enhance
the nation's 50 state park systems. The State Park Ambassador program is a
youth-led movement started in 2010 that promotes and supports the national
system of state parks.
For more information on America's
State Parks and the State Park Ambassadors program, go to www.americasstateparks.org.
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