Together for Tomorrow: Fenton Celebrates National Public Lands Day
This Saturday is National Public Lands Day. National Public Lands Day is held every year on the fourth Saturday of September and encourages responsible enjoyment and conservation of our nation’s public lands. This year, we wanted to highlight and share the reflections of our Fenton experts’ favorite public lands and pay respect to the Indigenous communities that lived on and cared for these lands for generations.?
Adam Greenfield, Vice President – Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
My annual fishing trip to Southwest Montana—the home of the Shoshone and Bannock Indigenous people—has provided my family and me with an opportunity to grow closer together in some of the most stunning and serene surroundings I've ever seen. Fishing is just a small part of it. The delicate rippling sounds of the Jefferson and Beaverhead Rivers, local moose, deer, ospreys, gold and bald eagles, and clean air make it a part of the country not to be missed!
Marly Valiente, Senior Account Executive – Antelope Canyon
Two years ago, I took a trip to visit Antelope Canyon, which is Navajo-owned and operated in Page, AZ. There are two parts of the canyon, Upper and Lower. Upper Antelope is called Tsé bighánílíní in Navajo, which can be translated to “The place where water runs through rocks" (in this case, sandstone), explaining how the canyon took its form. It's truly incredible, and because it's sacred to the Navajo Nation, you can only access it on a permit.
Jess Borbee, Senior Account Executive – Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park
I visited both of these places on the same trip to Jackson, Wyoming, on a family vacation to visit my brother, who lives in Jackson Hole. It was my first experience visiting a national park (and I was lucky enough to see two in one week!), and it completely blew me away. I’ve always believed in environmental preservation and ecological land management on principle, but after seeing the amazing, skyrocketing Teton Range and the unbelievable Yellowstone geysers, I understood just how important it is to ensure this land not only remains protected but accessible to all. We went on several hikes throughout this trip. It was incredibly moving and humbling to see nature and wildlife in such a raw form and to see up close and personal the fascinating effects of millions of years of evolution and science. Everyone deserves to experience the beauty our country has to offer. There are dozens of Indigenous communities that either have ties to or still reside on these lands today, underscoring even further the importance of preserving this land and the history, culture, and diversity of those who have lived there for centuries.
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Daria Hall, Executive Vice President – Rock Creek Park
I have fond memories of being with family in different parts of Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C.- skipping or jumping on rocks, the waterfall, picnicking, and just enjoying the outside and time together. I had the opportunity to share a similar experience with my son at Peirce Mill when he was younger. Rock Creek has deep historical ties to both Native Americans and African Americans.?
Rock Creek Valley is situated on land that was historically inhabited by Native American tribes, primarily the Piscataway people, who used the area for quarrying and camping, with evidence of their presence found in the form of artifacts like spear points, arrowheads, and grinding stones throughout the park; the arrival of Europeans significantly reduced the Indigenous population in the region due to disease and warfare. In 1890, Rock Creek Park became one of the first federally managed parks. Since then, citizens seeking recreation and re-creation in nature have sought out this 1700-acre park. As an administrative unit of the U.S. National Park System, Rock Creek Park now manages Meridian Hill Park — also known as Malcolm X Park — Dumbarton Oaks Park, Montrose Park, Old Stone House, the Francis Scott Key Memorial Park, Fort Stevens, and many more sites throughout northwest and even northeast D.C. Each of these parks has significant history of their own. Learn more here.
Shakirah Hill Taylor, Chief Digital Officer – Shenandoah National Park
This summer, my husband Matthew, our dog Maverick, and I spent the day exploring the Fox Hall Trail of the Shenandoah Valley – land of Indigenous communities such as the Monacan and Manahoac people. We loved being outdoors exploring, feeling the coolness of the Blue Ridge Mountains while Maverick delighted in sniffing all the wonders of the trails. The gift of relishing our national lands is one we try not to take for granted. I'm forever grateful for the access and privilege of these beautiful parks.
Adia Aidoo, Account Executive – Montezuma Castle National Monument and Montezuma Well
This year, for my birthday, I took a trip to Sedona, Arizona, to visit some of the area's national parks. About a 20-minute drive outside of Sedona are the sites of the Montezuma Castle National Monument and the Montezuma Well. Despite my preconceived notions of weather in Arizona, it was cold and rainy when I visited, but as huge history nerds, my partner and I enjoyed hiking to see and learn about the Indigenous people who built and lived in these historic sites.?
Montezuma Castle was originally constructed as part of a system of dwellings inhabited by the Hohokam and later by the Sinagua people. The Montezuma Well served as a freshwater source for drinking and irrigation. While the Sinagua people abandoned these sites around 1425, they represent the ingenuity, preservation and prosperity of Indigenous people before contact with Europeans.
The theme for this year’s National Public Lands Day is Together for Tomorow – emphasizing the importance of preserving public lands now for future generations. Get involved for this year’s National Public Lands Day by: