Awards Dinner 2009 featuring Polar Explorer Ann Bancroft
Town & Country Club
300 Mississippi River Blvd., St. Paul, MN
Minnesota's parks, trails and other assorted wild outdoor places have long been celebrated as part of our state's Great Outdoor heritage. On Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at the Town & Country Club in St. Paul, world renowned polar explorer Ann Bancroft will help us celebrate this heritage and honor the extraordinary work of outdoorswoman and conservationist Eleanor Winston, who will be presented with the Parks & Trails Council's highest honor – the prestigious Reuel Harmon Award.
Ann BancroftWith the Mississippi River as our backdrop, Bancroft will share how her Minnesota upbringing proved to be the ideal training ground for developing the outdoor values and skills that ultimately inspired her to become one of the world's preeminent polar explorers. An internationally recognized educator and speaker, Bancroft is dedicated to inspiring audiences around the world to unleash the power of their dreams. In 2001, Ann and Norwegian polar explorer Liv Arnesen became the first women in history to sail and ski across Antarctica's landmass – completing a 94-day, 1,717-mile trek.
2009 Reuel Harmon Award Recipient Eleanor Winston has dedicated her life to protecting Minnesota’s parks and trails so they can be enjoyed by present and future generations. Winston served on the Parks & Trails Council's board of directors from 1994 to 2008, including as president from 1999 to 2001. Winston also served on the board of directors for The Nature Conservancy from 1987 to 1993.
Individual tickets to the Parks & Trails Council’s Annual Awards Dinner can be purchased for $50 and regular tables of 8 for $400. Tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, April 1. Premier level tables are also available. A private reception with Ann Bancroft will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets to the private reception cost $100 and space is limited. To purchase a ticket or table, register online or download and return a reply card to Parks & Trails, 275 East 4th Street, Suite #642, St. Paul, MN 55101, or call Marybeth at 651-726-2457.
The Parks & Trails Council’s Annual Awards Dinner is presented by Bell Canoe Works and Redfeather Snowshoes with the support of media sponsors KBEM Jazz 88FM and KFAI Radio 93.7 FM in Minneapolis and 106.7 FM in Saint Paul. Proceeds from the event will go toward fulfilling our mission of acquiring, protecting and enhancing critical lands for the public's enjoyment now and in the future.
