NEWS RELEASE

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 114, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Christina Novak
DCNR Press Secretary
(717) 772-9101

DCNR ANNOUNCES PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RESERVATION SYSTEM FOR PA.’S STATE PARKS
Awards 5-year Contract for Reservation System to Spherix Inc.

HARRISBURG (July 12, 2005) — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Michael DiBerardinis today announced that the department will be expanding its state park reservation and information system to the Internet to make its toll-free reservation process even more customer friendly.

DCNR is awarding a 5-year contract to Spherix Inc. to operate its central parks reservation system and build and host the state’s first-ever Web site to process state park camping and cabin reservations.

“Our central reservation system launched seven years ago began a new era in customer-focused, visitor-friendly access and one-stop shopping for state parks information and reservations,” said DiBerardinis. “With many travelers turning to the Internet to make their travel plans, its time to take the next step. This expansion enhances our efforts to make everyone aware of the boundless opportunities to get active in our state parks, and enjoy our beautiful natural resources, by making it even easier for people to get information and make reservations.”

The toll-free number will remain 1-888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757). The service will continue to be available Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for certain holidays. Internet reservations are expected to be available in the first half of 2006. Visitors can charge reservations to their credit cards.

“In addition to providing Internet access for the first time, the new contract will result in a 21 percent annual operating cost savings to the commonwealth,” DiBerardinis said.

Spherix will operate the Pennsylvania call center at its facility in Cumberland, Md., where it currently employees 26 Pennsylvania residents, and expects to be able to recruit additional Pennsylvanians as reservation agents in part through the state’s Career Link program.

Spherix also will subcontract with Diversified Data Systems of Mechanicsburg for technical writing, analysis, training and field technical support.

Pennsylvania’s 117 parks and three conservation areas are open year-round and attract more than 35 million visitors a year.

For more information on Pennsylvania’s state parks visit ww.dcnr.state.pa.us. For more information on Spherix visit www.spherix.com or the reservation site at www.ReserveWorld.com.