Ken Burns has produced another documentary masterpiece, The National Parks: America's Best Idea. This six-part series which concluded last Friday evening traces the 150 year history of this country's national park system. It pays special attention to the uniquely American aspect of a distinguishing characteristic of the parks - the democratization of America's grandeur.

The first Director of the National Park Service, Stephen Mather, understood that when average Americans were exposed to beauty and majesty of this nation's natural world at its finest they would become better citizens. This required mastering a delicate balance between preservation and access. The series looks at the this debate and the personalities supporting both points of view. The debate continues to this day. Attempt to preserve too much and the public loses interest because they have no self interest. Attempt to give unfettered access and the parks become "loved to death".

Both Mather and his successor Horace Albright used the power of the press to pursue their agenda with Congress and other key stakeholders. They understood that the audience of prominent magazines like the National Geographic could be very important in supporting their cause. For those of us involved with subscription fulfillment or audience management we often lose sight of the great good of the power of a free press. The role we play in circulation management, lead generation and campaign management is a small cog in the vast machine of America's free press. That institution, despite of its current troubled times, has been mustered to perform great service to our nation's well being and happiness. Ken Burns reminds of this often in his latest film.

All the Best,

Ray