The true health and wealth of our country is being rightly brought to light in the ongoing television series, "The National Parks: America’s Best Idea." Today the Boone and Crockett Club applauded the series’ treatment of early conservationists and especially Club members who committed their lives unselfishly for the betterment of future generations.

The six-episode series directed by Ken Burns is available as a DVD set through the Club's web store.

Though filmed over the course of more than six years at some of America’s most amazing natural settings, the series is actually a story of people. Citizens from every conceivable background -- rich and poor, famous and unknown, soldiers and scientists, natives and newcomers, idealists, artists and entrepreneurs -- people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy.

"Our hats are off to Ken Burns, Florentine Films and PBS for their exquisite and timely portrait of the people who established our national parks and the system that ensures their care in perpetuity," said Boone and Crockett Club President Lowell E. Baier.

Baier said the series gives accurate and overdue acknowledgement to Boone and Crockett Club members like Theodore Roosevelt, George Bird Grinnell, Gifford Pinchot, Gen. Philip Sheridan, Senator John F. Lacey, Stephen T. Mather, Horace M. Albright, Charles Sheldon and others.

"We’re proud of our Club’s heritage and the contributions of hunter-conservationists who guided the Club in its early days and helped cast the mold for the most successful natural resource system ever conceived by man," said Baier.

He added, "Sportsmen have realized for generations the spiritual importance of connecting with nature. ‘The National Parks: America’s Best Idea’ is uplifting, inspiring and a wonderful touchstone that all citizens should watch or own."