Secretary Salazar Lauds Upcoming Ken Burns' PBS Series on National Parks

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar lauded the upcoming PBS series on the national parks, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, at a premiere showing at the Capitol Visitor's Center Thursday evening, March 5.

He announced that director Ken Burns and co-producer Dayton Duncan were made honorary park rangers at the Department of the Interior earlier in the day after meeting with the Secretary.

“Their park series tells the story of a distinctly American idea,” said Salazar. “The parks belong to all Americans. For this reason, they not only chronicle our history, but are living symbols of democracy at work.”

The Secretary also indicated that the film series would help showcase the current needs and opportunities in our nation's parks.

“The Recovery Act that President Obama signed, and that we are working to swiftly and wisely implement, will allow us to invest $750 million in our national parks and get our economy moving again,” he said.

The event was hosted by WETA-TV, the National Parks Conservation Association, the National Park Foundation and the Public Broadcasting Service. The six-part series begins September, 2009 on PBS channels.