Visits to U.S. state parks, like Caledonia State Park in Pennsylvania, exceed 720 million annually. This 1,130-acre park is located near Gettysburg and was named for the Caledonia Furnace, an iron furnace from the early 1800's.

Thirteen $1,000 Scholarships to attend the National Association of State Parks Directors Leadership School were recently handed out compliments of the NASPD and Stihl.

The State Park Leadership School is a two-year certificate program that provides state park personnel with instruction from experienced state park directors through a combination of distance learning and onsite education.

"Americans are going to parks in record numbers," said Lewis Ledford, NASPD executive director. "More than ever it's important to provide the most efficient and capable managers. ???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+Balancing???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+quality outdoor experiences with the conservation of iconic natural resources is paramount."

He added, "The support that STIHL is providing the State Park Leadership School is pivotal in training tomorrow's park leaders to be effective (so) that this next generation understands all the methods for conserving and educating America's youth about nature."

Roger Phelps, from STIHL Inc. along with NASPD awarded the scholarships at a gathering of students for an onsite learning forum at Oglebay Resort and Conference in Wheeling, West Virginia on January 12-16. Winners, with the state where they work and their titles, are as follows:

• Bruce Thompson, Rhode Island, Park Manager
• Ben D. Bergey, Wisconsin, District Supervisor
• Edward A. Hale, New Jersey, Resource Interpretive Specialist
• Christopher Crabtree, Missouri, Natural Resource Steward
• Katy Holmer, Missouri, Assistant Park Superintendent
• Ale Echandi, Massachusetts, Specialist, Trails Operations
• Peter Hoffman, Massachusetts, Forest and Park Supervisor
• Eric Gregory, Missouri, Natural Resources Manager
• Joel Law, Missouri, Assistant Park Superintendent
• Lee Witbeck, Missouri, Interpretive Resources Coordinator
• Tyler Schwartze, Missouri, Park Operations Planning Coordinator