Park 100th gets grant of $500,000

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation has given a five-year, $500,000 grant to Glacier National Park's upcoming centennial celebration.

The gift, announced Monday in a press release, will launch a Centennial Campaign being spearheaded by the Glacier National Park Fund, a nonprofit park partner.

The campaign will seek support from across the state and the country for programs and events aimed at celebrating the park's 100th anniversary in 2010.

"We are ecstatic about this wonderful gift," said Jane Ratzlaff, executive director of the Glacier National Park Fund. "It will allow us to position the park and the fund for a memorable centennial celebration with key exhibits that will tour the state and a campaign that will launch the next generation of philanthropy for the park."

Glacier Superintendent Chas Cartwright also expressed appreciation for the grant.

"As we reflect during this time of renewal, the park staff are very grateful for our dedicated partners and friends who work hard to support unfunded park needs and programs," he said. "Glacier is truly blessed to have so many caring, dedicated stakeholders."

Glacier's relationship with the railroad goes back to the very beginning of the park, when the Great Northern Railway transported staff and guests to the park and built the park's first hotels and chalets.

"This generous gift from the BNSF Foundation represents the Railway's ongoing commitment to Glacier National Park," the press release said.