Moon going down as the sun comes up in Zion

Angels Landing Zion National Park, Utah **Zion Natural History Association**Zion National Park**Springdale, UT 84767**www.zionpark.org**435-772-3264**

 
February 5, 2010
 
In this issue:
 
 -Zion, Out of this World
 
-Zion Green Team Receives Recognition
 Angels Landing Zion National Park, Utah

NASA astronaut Lieutenant Colonel Robert Behnken and his wife, Meg enjoying the view of Zion from Canyon Overlook. Read more about Lt. Col. Behnken and his experience with NASA here.

 Zion Water Bottles


Think about your memories in Zion National Park every time you have a drink from one of these beautiful aluminum sports bottles. These reuseable drink bottles are part of Zion's commitment to keep our world beautiful. The Watchman bottle and the Canyon Overlook bottle are available on our website www.zionpark.org.

Zion, the Super Bowl and Space
Zion Natural History Association, Zion National Park, Springdale, UT 84767
800-635-3959      435-772-3264     www.zionpark.org 
A High Honor for Zion
 
   
            Would you believe that Zion National Park and Super Bowl XLIV have something in common?  On February 7, 2010 a collectible coin from Zion National Park is scheduled to lift-off aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor courtesy of Zion fan, Astronaut Robert Behnken. A few hours later, in the same state, a special Super Bowl commemorative coin will be used for the official coin toss prior to the kickoff of Super Bowl XLIV. That coin made 171 orbits around the world aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery before making its way to this year's Super Bowl.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Behnken            Each crew member of a space shuttle mission is allowed to bring a few personal items on board. Often these items have included very interesting objects such as a Buzz Lightyear figure, a Star Wars light saber or a Lance Armstrong Tour de France yellow jersey. Lieutenant Colonel Behnken requested that he carry the commemorative centennial coin issued to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Zion National Park.
            This is the second time Lt. Col. Behnken has flown aboard the Endeavour. In 2008 he served as Mission Specialist 1 for ascent and entry, performed three spacewalks, and operated both the space station robotic arm and the Dextre robot. The mission was accomplished in 250 orbits of the Earth in just over 15 days. To read more about  the newest Endeavour mission, follow this link.
            Did you ever wonder what Zion looks like from space? Follow this Angels Landing Zion National Park, Utah to see NASA's photo.
            You can have your own Zion Centennial Coin just like the one going into space, now available on our website, see it here
            Having a small part of Zion included in a space mission is a real honor for the park and we send all our best wishes with Robert Behnken and the Endeavor crew.
Zion Naitonal Park Green Team 
DOI Award to Zion National Park "Green Team"
 
    Zion National Park's "Green Team", (A collaboration of Park Service, Xanterra, and Zion Natural History Association representatives) was recently selected as recipient of the 2009 Department of the Interior Environmental Achievement Award for significant accomplishments in the area of Waste/Pollution Prevention and Recycling. "The Team's ingenuity in reducing waste from disposable plastic water bottles through the installation of water bottle filling stations and the sales of refillable water bottles should serve as a model for other parks looking for ways to reduce waste," said Stephen E. Whitesell, Associate Director, Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands.
    Zion Natural History Association is proud to be associated with the success of this project. We plan to continue our support of the "Green Team" and its efforts toward improving sustainable practices in Zion National Park.
    See the water bottles sold in the visitor center here.