National Park Trust (NPT) is pleased to announce that Colorado Senator Mark Udall will be the recipient of the 2010 Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award.

"I am honored to receive the National Park Trust's Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award," says Senator Udall. "I am humbled by this recognition and to be joining the distinguished recipients of this prestigious award. Like Congressman Vento, I have been proud to contribute to our nation's lands legacy - inspired by my family's generations of respect for the environment and my own personal outdoor experience. I will continue to fight as a Senator and as chairman of the National Parks Subcommittee to preserve our public lands so that they can continue to inspire and sustain generations to come."

"Senator Udall has an outstanding record in land conservation and environmental protection, the highlights of which include the creation of the James Peak Wilderness Bill and the transformation of the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Facility into a wildlife refuge," says NPT Board Chair, William Brownell, "As the chair of National Parks Subcommittee, Senator Udall has reaffirmed his priority of protecting our parks, a commitment that was established long before he became an elected official."

The Senator's passion to connect children with the outdoors began with his work prior to his work as a Senator when he was as an educator and executive director of Colorado Outward Bound. His commitment serves as an inspiration to NPT's Youth to Parks^TM programs, featuring NPT wooly mascot, Buddy Bison^TM, and our vision that ‘everyone will have an American park experience'.

Senator Udall has also become a national leader on renewable energy and "green" jobs, including numerous initiatives to establish alternative energy resources and enact a national renewable electricity standard. NPT celebrates his proven track record in establishing bi-partisan partnerships to achieve important environmental milestones.

The Vento Award was established in 2000 by NPT to honor the memory and legacy of Bruce F. Vento, a twelve-term Congressman from Minnesota, dedicated environmentalist, and a champion of legislation for America's park. The Award honors a public servant for his or her commitment to the environment, and his service, skill, and innovation in support of our public lands.

Recent recipients include Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senator Harry Reid, Congressman George Miller, and Senator John McCain. The award will be presented at a reception in Washington, D.C. on June 17, 2010.

If you would like to become a sponsor of the event, contact NPT's Development Director at 301-279-7275 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  All proceeds benefits NPT's land preservation and youth to parks programs.