| Americans of all ages can find calm and enjoyment in our Nation's vast outdoors. Those desiring quiet or solitude can explore one of our many National Parks, which offer tranquil and pristine surroundings. Those seeking recreation can also explore public lands, or they can simply run, bicycle, or fish in areas close to their homes. Whether near or far, the outdoors offers unique experiences. - President Obama |
We are concerned that as America’s population grows and demographics change, there continues to be a steady decline in attendance at our nation’s parks and a growing disconnect between children and nature. To address that trend, NPT has established a new program called Youth to Parks. The program has two facets: The Youth to Parks National Scholarship Fund and our Where's Buddy Bison Been? initiative.
The Youth to Parks National Scholarship Fund. NPT is partnering with several organizations around the country to bring underserved youth to the parksand to cultivate future conservationists and environmental professionals.
The Youth to Parks Fund provides scholarships to:
- Reconnect children and nature
- Educate and foster future conservationists
- Provide park opportunities to underserved youth
» Learn more about our Partners
Where's Buddy Bison Been?
 NPT has also launched an initiative called 'Where's Buddy Bison Been?' which encourages children and their families to get outside and share their American Park Experience. NPT is also engaging educators and schools to introduce environmental curricula into their programming using Buddy Bison as the vehicle for their lesson plans. The program begins in schools where educators hand out Buddy Bison, our wooly mascot, to students who bring him along as they explore one of our country's national, state or local parks. Pictures of Buddy Bison, captured along his journeys are featured on our website along with stories, songs or drawings that he has inspired.
Accompanying Buddy Bison is a tool kit that provides educators with curriculum ideas, park maps, resource guides and activity sheets, allowing teachers to easily incorporate Buddy Bison into existing academic programming. Buddy Bison's Facebook page and Google map application allow his friends to follow him wherever he roams.
Click here to see where Buddy's been so far. If you'd like your own Buddy Bison to help reconnect you and a child to nature, contact us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and we'll tell you how you can get your own Buddy Bison.
|
