More Than Mountains: Thanking the Many Faces of the National Park Service
On August 25th, the National Park Service celebrates its 109th birthday! While mountains and scenic landscapes often take the spotlight, we can’t forget the dedicated people of the NPS who do so much on a daily basis: sharing interpretive stories, enhancing visitor experiences, and safeguarding our public lands and waters. We are proud of our long-term partnership with the NPS to protect and share the full breadth of America’s “best idea.”
With over 400 sites across the U.S. and its territories, the National Park System is home to battlefields and boardwalks, urban parks and underwater ecosystems, birthplaces and tribal heritage sites. So this August, we’re celebrating the whole mosaic of NPS sites and all they have to offer. Below is a small snapshot of the work we have been able to accomplish through our NPS partnership.
Historic Sites That Tell Untold Stories
From Yucca House National Monument in Colorado, where we helped expand protected land to preserve one of the country’s most significant unexcavated Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites, to César E. Chávez National Monument in California, the NPS protects places that honor Indigenous heritage, cultural resilience, and the stories that shape our nation.
Waterways and Wildlife
You don’t need to climb a mountain to connect with nature. From casting a line in Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL) to paddling through Big Bend National Park (TX), the NPS protects thousands of miles of rivers, lakes, and coastlines. Parks like Channel Islands National Park (CA) and Assateague Island (MD) offer miles of coastal beauty and ecological wonder.
Through our work with Project Healing Waters, we are proud to help connect veterans to the wonders of underwater ecosystems and find solace and strength in the great outdoors.
Urban Escapes and Everyday Nature
National parks aren’t always far-flung. Gateway National Recreation Area (NY/NJ) and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (DC/MD) prove that green space also matters in cities, offering biking paths, birdwatching, and riverfront views close to home.
Long Trails, Big Impact
Some trails in the NPS system span multiple states, connecting us to pivotal moments in U.S. history. We’ve worked to significantly expand the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Virginia, New York, and Maine through strategic land acquisitions that help preserve the trail’s scenic beauty, ecological integrity, and accessibility for future generations.
So the next time you see an NPS employee proudly wearing the green and gray, please take a moment to thank them for all they do, especially during these challenging times.
