In an effort to create 50 new t National Parks across the USA(Maine Woods and Blackwater in West Virginia amongst them), landscape photographer and Smithsonian Video Producer, Zack Frank is going to go on tour and photograph the magnificence of these regions, with plans to publish a book that Americans will read,,,,,,,,,,,,, motivating them to urge their Congressmen to push these Parks into reality....................Frank is seeking funds for his photographing trop and you can contribute to his effort by going to KICKSTARTER(see url below) and making a donation to this worthy cause

RESTORE: THE NORTH WOODS

9 Union Avenue • Hallowell, Maine 04347

(207) 626-6535 • mainewoods@restore.org

FRIENDS OF BLACKWATER

501 Elizabeth Street • Charleston, WV 25311

(304) 345-7663 • info@saveblackwater.org

F

fOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2014

CONTACT:      Zack Frank, frankzr@gmail.com

                        Michael Kellett, RESTORE: The North Woods, kellett@restore.org, (978) 392-0404

                        Judy Rodd, Friends of Blackwater, roddj@hotmail.com, (304) 345-7663

Photographer to Seek New National Parks across America

Has 19 More Days to Raise Needed Funds

WASHINGTON, DC – Zack Frank, a landscape photographer, author, Smithsonian video producer, and National Park enthusiast, is planning a trip across America to document dozens of potential new National Parks. In the spirit of Ansel Adams, Elliot Porter, and Philip Hyde, Frank hopes his photographs and descriptions will help build public support for adding these extraordinary places to the National Park System.

"I am planning a six-month trip to explore, photograph, and publish a book about more than 50 potential new National Parks," said Frank. "As a former Marine, I know how to travel frugally, but the project will still be expensive. I need to raise $20,000 by June 3 to make the trip possible. The good news is that I am almost halfway there!"

Frank has launched a page on the Kickstarter crowdfunding website, which allows supporters to contribute to the project (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1189815566/undiscovered-america). He needs to reach his $20,000 goal in the next 19 days to meet the Kickstarter deadline.

"I was glad to see that Zack is planning to visit a number of areas where citizens are proposing new National Parks," said Michael Kellett, executive director of the nonprofit group, RESTORE: The North Woods. "That includes the Maine Woods, where support is growing for a new national park. He will also explore 50 or so other amazing landscapes that deserve National Park protection, but are unknown to the average American."

After returning from his trip, Frank will produce an 8x10 inch, 200-page book that features spectacular photographs and descriptions of each potential National Park. The book will be distributed as an e-book in Kindle, iBooks, and PDF formats, as well as in limited printings made primarily for backers of the project.

"Zack's tour will include the proposed High Allegheny National Park and Preserve in West Virginia, which my group is working to create," said Judy Rodd, executive director of Friends of Blackwater. "If he can raise the funds to publish his book, people from across the country will be introduced to this wonderful place."

"This is truly a grassroots project," said Frank. "I hope everyone who loves National Parks will visit my Kickstarter page and consider investing in my effort to promote new parks. Even a small donation will make a big difference in helping me reach my goal."

RESTORE: The North Woods (www.mainewoods.org) is a nonprofit, New England-based organization dedicated to restoring wilderness, public lands, and endangered wildlife across the North Woods.

Friends of Blackwater (www.saveblackwater.org) is a nonprofit, West Virginia-based organization, whose mission is to protect the integrity of the High Allegheny region of West Virginia.

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