Together We Can Make Public Parks, Lands, and Waters Accessible to All
National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and develop park stewards for tomorrow. Our programs advance public parks, lands, and waters as spaces that are welcoming and accessible to every person in every community. We believe that our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed by, and preserved by all – for current and future generations. We are committed to expanding the number of those who use and appreciate our nation’s parks. We do this by engaging people from a variety of backgrounds in educational outdoor experiences that inspire a sense of ownership and stewardship. Our vision is that everyone will experience the endless possibilities of our public parks, lands, and waters.
OUR VALUES
The history of our nation is complex, and every one of our nation’s parks has a story. These stories are sometimes inspiring, sometimes difficult, but always illuminating. We are committed to helping people of all communities see themselves and others in these stories – not just to understand our collective past, but also to create a healthier future for all. We seek broad perspectives in thought, background, and experience among our staff, board of trustees, donors, and partners.
We help preserve units of the National Park Service by acquiring and transferring important land parcels to complete parks and protect their purpose. Sustaining that preservation for the long term requires a pipeline of future park stewards and supporters that is built on our rich and growing population. Our nationally recognized Buddy Bison Programs, Kids to Parks Day, and other initiatives help kids and families feel hopeful, prepared, and inspired to become part of America’s future generation of park stewards. We work to encourage all communities to appreciate the importance of preserving and caring for vital environmental, cultural, and historic sites and open spaces.
We are committed to improving access to our nation’s public parks, lands, and waters – and to ensuring that people from all communities feel welcome in these places. Our programs connect thousands of children to the great outdoors each year. Whether at home, in the classroom, or on trips to outdoor spaces, we share the magic and the physical, mental, and educational benefits of parks with kids who would not otherwise experience them. By connecting all communities to these resources and promoting more American storytelling about our outdoor spaces, we foster ever-broader use and stewardship of public parks, lands, and waters.
From schools, teachers, charities, and park officials to landowners, government agencies, consultants, and vendors, partnerships are what make our work successful and possible. Our partnerships transform our organization into a nationwide community, all committed to preservation and stewardship. These close working relationships allow us to expand our collective perspectives that shape the work we do every day.
Learn more about how we are integrating our values into our work:
