The new Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob in Great Smoky Mountains National Park has received $4,608 worth of equipment from Kodak through the National Park Foundation as part of the Proud Partners of America’s National Parks program.

The equipment will be used to enhance educational efforts at the new center. The donation includes a digital camera, document scanner, slide projector and film for the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI), an effort in the park to identify all species of life within the its boundaries. The film recently was used to visually document the Lepidoptera Quest, a massive 24-hour search by the nation’s top experts in butterflies and moths. During the quest, 75 area children in Tennessee and North Carolina assisted scientists in sorting moths and collecting caterpillars with their associated host plant.

Plans are to renovate the existing house at Purchase Knob with offices, a lab space for scientists, an activity pavilion and rest rooms for visiting school groups.

“The upgrade will allow for maximum use and the donated equipment will go a long way to assist our staff in making our programs all that they can be,” Park Superintendant Mike Tollefson said.

The National Park Foundation Imaging Product Donation Program allows Kodak to provide digital imaging and traditional photography products to national parks across the country. There are five Proud partners that have committed to multi-year, multi-million dollar partnerships with the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service. More than 130 parks will receive imaging products and photography equipment, valued at a total of $500,000.

The National Park Foundation is the Congressionally charted nonprofit partner of America’s national parks. Created by Congress is 1967, the foundation works to raise private funds, make strategic grants, create partnerships and increase public awareness. In the past six years, NPF has raised $94 million in grants and program support for national parks across the country.

For more information, visit www.nationalparks.org.