DemDaily: A Walk in the Park

August 25th 2016

100 years ago today, on August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act, establishing the National Park Service and the preservation of what is now 412 national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails.

"To preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world." -- National Park Service Mission Statement

The first National Park was actually designated in 1871, 45 years before Wilson established the NPS. Senate Public Lands Committee Chairman Samuel C. Pomeroy (KS) sponsored legislation to protect land from development by putting under federal ownership.

President Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill into law on March 1, 1872 and Yellowstone National Park was established!

Today, the National Park Service employees 20,000, boasts 221,000 volunteers nationwide, and hosts over 307 million visitors nationwide.

In honor of its 100th birthday, the National Park Service invites visitors to celebrate with free admission to all 412 national park sites this weekend - from August 25th to 28th!

Go take a walk in the park (click here to find a National Park near you)!

Happy 100th birthday to NPS, here's to 100 more!

DemList
Connecting you to The Party
Connecting you to Each Other

Kimberly Scott
Publisher