RALEIGH, N.C. –State Employees’ Credit Union has provided sponsorship to a historical documentary has been produced to celebrate an important milestone in the life of the state – the centennial anniversary of North Carolina’s State Parks. SECU collaborated with co-producers Tom Earnhardt and Mark Crews to aid in their efforts to capture on film the stories and beautiful landscapes of the more than forty parks. SECU Board of Directors member David King gathered with Earnhardt, Crews and State Parks staff at Raleigh’s Umstead State Park for the official announcement of the documentary and SECU’s support for the project.
The one-hour centennial special, Saving the Best: North Carolina State Parks at 100, pays tribute to our state parks, the men and women who work and volunteer in our parks, and their many visitors. Earnhardt, an avid outdoorsman who has dedicated his life to studying, exploring and writing about the State’s environment and natural wonders, traveled with Crews and principal videographer Tucker Hayes over the past year and a half, working closely with many people, including Director of State Parks Mike Murphy and park rangers statewide to bring life to the rich history and importance of these iconic locations.
“This film is a terrific story about North Carolina – it’s about who we are and where we came from. It’s also about the people who make our parks run, probably the most dedicated people as servants in our park system, an extraordinary group of stewards,” remarked Earnhardt, producer and director of UNC-TV’s Exploring North Carolina series. “The goal of this program is to excite the people of North Carolina about the Parks System and to educate them about the great efforts of those who work in the parks.”
UNC-TV will initially air the film statewide during prime time at the end of January 2016, and the documentary will be available to the public on all UNC channels throughout the remainder of 2016 and online via UNC-TV’s website. In addition, all of the materials used in the program will be provided to the State Parks System for use in their programs.