© Lauren HimiakWhile House Democrats celebrate a $218 million increase in the National Park Service's 2010 budget, they applaud one man for his assistance: Ken Burns.
The acclaimed director's documentary, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, aired in September and October on PBS, reminding Americans the importance of protecting our national lands.
"The conference report also includes funding for increases for our national parks, wildlife refuges, forests and public lands, investments in what Ken Burns has reminded us is one of America's best ideas," said Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va.
The National Park Service walked away with a $218 million budget increase over the 2009 budget - $47 million above what the Obama administration requested.
"We didn't make the film to make a political point," said Dayton Duncan, the documentary's writer and producer. "We're historians, but the subtitle gives a little away about what Ken and I think of our parks. We are avid park supporters, and the film shows the history that parks have always come up needing more funding than Congress comes up with."