Picture Perfect! National Park Foundation Announces 2007 Winners of the Share the Experience Photo Contest, Encouraging Americans to Continue Experiencing and Sharing America's Most Spectacular Places

WASHINGTON, July 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the summer travel season warms up, the National Park Foundation proudly congratulates the 2007 winners of the Share the Experience Photo Contest, an amateur photo competition sponsored by Ford Motor Company that encourages Americans to explore and experience the best of America and share their souvenir photos online and an opportunity that they will have again when the 2008 Share the Experience Photo Contest launches on July 23rd.

"The National Park Foundation thanks these exceptional winners for helping showcase some of the world's greatest natural, cultural and historic treasures," said Vin Cipolla, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "Our hope is that their efforts will inspire all Americans to get out, experience our nation's federal lands and develop a lifelong connection to America's most spectacular places."

A passionate amateur photographer for more than 20 years, Grand Prize winner, Inge Johnsson (47) of Sammamish, WA spends as much time as he can exploring the outdoors. When he is not out hiking in the Pacific Northwest, Inge goes on "photo trips" with friends who share his love for photography. Of his winning photo of Grand Canyon National Park, Inge said, "My photo was taken on a 12-day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. The trip was an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime journey through one of the most fascinating and inspiring places in the natural world." Johnsson will win a Ford Escape Hybrid as part of his grand prize package.

Second Place winner, Robert Miller (64) of Lynchburg, VA is a retiree with a love for photography and the national parks. He enjoys the nature and solitude that he finds on these public lands and takes every opportunity to enjoy the world around him. Of his winning photo of Thomas Jefferson National Forest, Robert said, "I just happened to be wandering in the national forest on a foggy and rainy day. Then, suddenly I noticed the sun behind the fog on the road. It did not take me long to get my camera out and click the shutter. It was a once in a life time shot."

Third Place winner, Karin Young (42) of Pleasant Grove, UT, along with her son have been learning about amateur photography from Karin's husband. Karen describes it as a great family activity and says that her whole family is very excited about the travel prize, which will allow them to visit a national park outside of their home state. Of her winning photo of Utah Desert, Karen said, "We decided to go out to see the wild horses on a Saturday afternoon. It was my first trip out to the desert. The wild horses are beautiful and it was fascinating to see how they interact. I am glad that we stayed a little longer than originally planned because the sunset was really colorful and made the photo special."

A self-described "photographer-adventurer," Fourth Place winner, Marek Wencel (40) of Des Moines, WA has unparallel passion for new adventure in remote locations of the world. So far, his adventures have taken him to the mountains of Alaska, Polish Tatras, Peru's Cordillera Blanca, and Argentina's Andes as well as on several expeditions in the remote Himalayas. Of his photo of North Cascades National Park, Marek said, "Suddenly, as we were snowshoeing out of forest, the morning skies cleared, revealing wild and rugged walls of the peak, leaving us mesmerized at the features of the mountain. I knew it, right then and there that I needed to capture the moment, before the clouds would close the curtain again."

The 2007 Share the Experience Photo Contest was sponsored by Ford Motor Company, a long-time Proud Partner of America's National Parks. Ford Motor Company is committed to helping preserve and protect America's National Parks. Ford and its philanthropic arm, Ford Motor Company Fund, have worked closely with the National Park Foundation and National Park Service through wide-ranging transportation initiatives, including placing more than 250 "interpreters" and 55 Master's and PhD-level "scholars" in parks to promote the use of environmentally friendly vehicles. Ford has also donated hundreds of environmentally responsible vehicles to the National Park System.

    To view the 2007 winning photos visit
http://www.nationalparks.org/get-involved/photo-contest/?fa=winning-entries

About the National Park Foundation

The National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org) is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century-long tradition of private philanthropy ensuring funding to preserve and enhance the legacy of our National Parks. As the official non-profit partner of America's National Parks, the National Park Foundation does not receive federal appropriations for their support. The National Park Foundation serves to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Support of the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving history and rich heritage of our Nation remains vital and relevant.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 228,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

Coming Soon! The 2008 Share the Experience Photo Contest

The 2008 Share the Experience Photo Contest will run from July 23, 2008 through December 31, 2008. Sponsored by the National Park Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service, the Share the Experience Photo Contest showcases the more than 500 million acres of Federal Lands and draws entries from all across the United States. All 2008 entrants have the opportunity to win one of fourteen exciting prize packages. The Grand Prize winner will earn the international honor of having their winning image grace the cover of the 2010 "Federal Recreation Lands Pass", an annual Lands pass priced at $80 that provides access to all participating Federal Land Management Agency sites where entrance and standard amenity fees are charged.

Additionally, the public will be able to view an online photo gallery of 2008 submissions from January 9, 2009 - January 16, 2009 and vote on their favorites from January 17, 2009 - January 31, 2009.