GRAND RAPIDS (August 28, 2009) The Grand Rapids Public Library is offering two programs and an photography exhibit about the four national parks in Michigan in conjunction with WGVU’s airing of the Ken Burn’s documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”

On Thursday, September 17, author and outdoorsman Jim DuFresne will present “National Parks in Michigan.” DuFresne will discuss three of the four national parks in Michigan: Isle Royale, Pictured Rocks, and Sleeping Bear Dunes. He has explored all three backpacking, kayaking and hiking and will give tips to visitors of every interest level. The lecture will take place in the Ryerson Auditorium of the Main Library at 7:00 pm.

DuFresne is a Michigan native and author of more than 20 wilderness, travel, and hiking guidebooks including Isle Royale National Park: Foot Trails and Water Routes and Backpacking in Michigan. DuFresne is a journalism graduate from Michigan State University and writes about Michigan's great outdoors from his home in Clarkston, Michigan. Dufresne managed to visit the three main national parks in Michigan this summer.

In partnership with the Boy Scouts of America, a wilderness survival training class will be offered to teen on Sunday, September 13 at 3:00 pm at the Main Library. Teens will learn to build a fire, survive wild animal encounters, find safe food in nature and tie knots. There will also be an informational session about becoming a boy scout at 2:00 pm.

The exhibit “Picturing Michigan’s National Parks,” will be on view at the Main Library starting September 1. The exhibit features the work of four local photographers: Dianne Carroll Burdick, Stacy Niedzwiecki, Steve Nelson, and Steven Huyser-Honing. Through their photographs, the beauty and uniqueness of Michigan’s National Parks is explored.

For more information on the programs and exhibits visit www.grpl.org or call 988-5400. All events are free and open to the public. The Grand Rapids Public Library connects people to the transforming power of knowledge.