National Park Foundation

“Communities managing their trails is part of our tradition. We have always cleaned trails and repaired causeways. We can see evidence of this by signatures left along the trail by our ancestors.” -Aric Arakaki, Superintendent of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail In a place defined by constant change, where history is honored and tomorrow is uncertain, the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail traverses an evolving landscape, bridging past, present, and future. Through nonprofit Ho?āla Kealakekua Nui’s Hana Lima (Working Hands) Program, NPF is supporting restoration and preservation efforts to minimize impacts to the trail from visitors, climate change, and other factors. https://lnkd.in/eCtTKAEH ??: National Park Service

“Some people don’t think miracles happen; well, they do.” - Forrest Gump On 9/14, NPF and Paramount+ will transform the National Mall into an immersive Forrest Gump experience for a one-time-only film screening, and we’re doing it in under 24 hours – an undertaking that’s truly a miracle! Paramount+ is the National Park Foundation's first-ever official streaming partner. In addition, the partnership provides funding to support the National Park Foundation’s mission to preserve and protect America’s more than 430 national parks, including the National Mall. Event details: https://lnkd.in/eZbeWy6w

NPF is investing over $5 million in Open OutDoors for Kids to support 110 projects across 123 national parks! With support from partners like Union Pacific Railroad, NPF’s Open OutDoors for Kids program helps the next generation of park champions develop a deeper understanding of our country’s history and form their connection to the outdoors! Explore the projects: https://lnkd.in/eFHqccw9

At Grand Canyon National Park, a new collaborative project will help the park eliminate more than 7 million single-use food ware items from the South Rim and create a reuse ecosystem for dine-in and takeout food services. Innovative solutions are needed to improve the sustainability of our national parks and ensure that these treasured places are pristine for visitors today and in the future. Learn more about the project here: https://lnkd.in/dTGvPaYY ??: Starcevic

The history of the labor movement and the fight for better working conditions is preserved in the stories of our national parks. NPF supports national parks, programs, and projects that highlight these stories. ?? At César E. Chávez National Monument, an NPF Inclusive Storytelling grant is enabling the park to catalog and assess the oral histories related to the farmworker movement and conduct a gap analysis to determine which stories are not represented. The park will then work to fill these gaps. ?? An NPF Open OutDoors for Kids grant is connecting students to Pullman National Historical Park and the A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, to learn about the history of the Pullman community and the significance of the Pullman Porters in the Great Migration and to the labor movement in the United States. The histories of work and working people help us explore the lives of a broader range of individuals – each with their own labor history to share – and invite us to imagine a better future. https://lnkd.in/eEKKX23W

It’s back to school time! NPF helps connect people of all ages, including students, to national parks through programs and specialized projects. Student visits to national parks help spark a lifelong love of conservation. In addition to the ecology, history, and other subjects taught in parks, national parks are a place to build self-confidence, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around us. With resources for parents, teachers, and kids, find your spot in America’s biggest classrooms! https://lnkd.in/eMwB6Rg8

Founded in 1877, Nicodemus, Kansas is the oldest Black town west of the Mississippi River and continues as a vibrant town today. The town’s rich history is now preserved and shared by Nicodemus National Historic Site.? Last year, NPF provided support for Trust for Public Land to acquire the land needed to establish a permanent visitors center at Nicodemus National Historic Site.? (Read more about that here:?https://lnkd.in/e82H7KJX)? This month, with grant funding from NPF, TPL purchased the historic First Baptist Church in Nicodemus, Kansas and donated the site to the National Park Service! “Through these collaborations, the First Baptist Church is now another physical piece of the story of Nicodemus that can be protected and shared to ensure that the national contributions of the Black Homesteading community are not lost.”? -Cassie Branstetter, NPS superintendent of Nicodemus National Historic Site

Today, NPF is celebrating a historic, $100 million-dollar grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. that will scale and accelerate our mission to ensure national parks are protected, accessible, and welcoming – today and for future generations. For over 50 years, private philanthropy has played a vital role in bridging the gap between park needs and available funding. The grant will be used toward safeguarding threatened wildlife and land, inspiring the next generation of park stewards, preserving the story of America, and enhancing the visitor experience in our 430 national parks. Learn more about how this grant will drive impact at NPF: https://lnkd.in/eFUzrsd5

On this day in 1916, the National Park Service was created 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." When exploring a national park, think about: ??? The rangers and staff that make the awesome happen, ?? The foresight of those who set aside these treasures for all to enjoy, ?? The lessons we learn about our history and about our world. Happy birthday, National Park Service! ??: Rory Dean, Share the Experience

Did you know that fireflies use unique light patterns to find mates? The Bethany Beach firefly, a rare species known for its two green flashes, has been spotted at Assateague Island National Seashore! This discovery led to a partnership between the National Park Service and Delaware State University to study the firefly’s habitat and inform protection strategies of the species for many summers to come! https://lnkd.in/eRWifkvw