AZBW News Breaks June 6, 2006

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, ebilbrey@pr.state.az.us or Monica Enriquez at
(602) 542-6997, menriquez@pr.state.az.us

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Arizona State Committee On Trails PHOTO CONTEST: Best Photos of Trails in Arizona

(Phoenix, Arizona - June 6, 2006) - Trails in Arizona are as varied as the topography. Please share your unique vision of Arizona's trails by entering the Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT) Photo Contest. The contest will celebrate the beauty of Arizona and the varied experiences of trails and trail users!

Guidelines to submit photos to the contest:

All photographs must be taken in Arizona after January 1, 2000.

All entries must be accompanied by a photo release form (download at www.azstateparks.com).

All entries must be postmarked by July 15, 2006, and sent to:

Arizona State Parks
1300 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Attn: ASCOT Photo Contest

Or e-mailed to:
ascotphotocontest@gmail.com

Prizes will be awarded for the best photos of trails in Arizona and include an Arizona State Parks annual pass and Trails Guides. A panel of judges of ASCOT members and an artistic professional will choose contest winners.

Print photographs must be 4 inches by 6 inches and may be either color or black and white.

(Arizona State Parks requests that all contest participants retain their photo negatives, as winners may be asked to send their negatives to Arizona State Parks for reproduction.) Submitted photos will not be returned.

For more information about the contest visit the Arizona State Parks website at: www.azstateparks.com/partnerships/trails/statetrails.html

The Arizona State Committee on Trails is a 25-member advisory committee to the Arizona State Parks Board. ASCOT is an active group that has a long history in Arizona and has benefited Arizona's trails through numerous achievements.

ASCOT began in January of 1972 as the Arizona State Hiking and Riding Trails Committee consisting mainly of equestrians and primarily focusing on Arizona's first long distance urban trail, Sun Circle Trail, and Arizona's first long distance rural trail, the Black Canyon Trail.

ASCOT has evolved over the years as trail needs changed and new user groups emerged. In 1992, it was renamed Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT) to recognize the mountain bikers, hikers, equestrians and water trail users.

The Committee is comprised of agency representatives, diversified user groups and members of the general public. ASCOT hosts trail conferences, produces educational materials, oversees the Arizona State Trails System and more. For more information on ASCOT visit www.azstateparks.com/partnerships/committees/ascot.html

For information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at www.azstateparks.com.