NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

National Parks Program Receives Much-Needed Public Support

Washington, D.C. - The nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) today praised the kick-off of the National Park Foundation’s campaign to bolster financial support for the National Park Service Junior Rangers program, which encourages children to visit, enjoy, and help protect the national parks.

“Public support for our national parks is critical to ensuring that these special places can inspire future generations,” said NPCA President Tom Kiernan. “The First Lady’s esteemed leadership inspires others to also renew their commitment to and support of America’s national parks.”

First Lady Laura Bush is the Honorary Chair of Connecting our Children to America: The National Park Foundation Junior Ranger Campaign. Today, the National Park Foundation announced that the Park Service’s long-running Junior Ranger program would be reinvigorated through the efforts of a $10-million capital campaign targeting individuals and corporations.

Currently, nearly 300 national park sites offer young visitors the opportunity to complete a booklet or a series of on-site activities to earn official Junior Ranger badge or patch and Junior Ranger certificate.

“The Junior Rangers program helps cultivate a new generation of national park supporters,” Kiernan added. “Without greater public support, our national parks will decline.”

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