No one really knows who fired the first shot at the battle of Lexington Green on April 19, 1775, but the result is not disputed--America was at war for independence from the British Crown. Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts brings these first events of the American Revolution to life. The minuteman statue at the North Bridge symbolizes the American values of freedom and liberty. The bridge, and the stone walls from which the first volleys for freedom were fired are protected as part of this national park site. Visitors can also walk in the footsteps of the British troops along the Battle Road.

As the destination of the British Regulars on their famous march from Boston to Concord, Barrett's Farm played a significant role in the opening battle of the American Revolution. With the recent passage of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, the historic farm and farmhouse are now within the boundary of Minute Man National Historical Park. NPCA worked with the National Park Service and the Friends of Minute Man National Park, and engaged the local media to inform Congress and the public about the importance of including Barrett's Farm in the park to protect this important place and its inspiring stories for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.

View the slideshow > >

The park is holding Patriot Day events from April 11 - 25, 2009. Visit the park's website for more details.

We are delighted that the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Obama on March 30, 2009. This important legislation brings together over 160 bills into one package and is breathtaking in its scope and significance--greatly expanding and enhancing America's protected public lands, rivers, and trails.

The Omnibus Lands bill is a win for both our natural and cultural heritage. It protects millions of acres of wilderness, and the priceless American heritage found in our National Park System. The Act includes over 40 bills affecting the National Park System. Examples of park measures in this bill include:

• Expansion of Minute Man National Historical Park in Massachusetts to protect the historically significant farm of Colonel James Barrett, commander of the Middlesex Militia.
• Establishment of a commemorative trail in upstate New York that connects local and state sites to the Women's Rights National Historical Park.
• Protection of the cultural, ecological, and scenic integrity of Little River Canyon National Preserve in Alabama and Fort Davis National Historic Site in Texas from adjacent development.
• Authorization of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail in the Pacific Northwest--the first such trail in the National Park System.
• Designation of the Amargosa River as Wild and Scenic, providing much-needed protection for water resources at Death Valley National Park in California.

Cumberland Island National Seashore encompasses 36,347 acres on a barrier island in southeastern Georgia, just north of the Florida border. Visitors to the island can experience its one-of-a-kind history and see natural habitats that are becoming rare elsewhere along the Atlantic coast.

Cumberland Island's beautiful setting is steeped in the history of some of the nation's most powerful and influential families of the 19th and 20th centuries, who built grand estates on the island. One of the most impressive, the Carnegie family's Plum Orchard Mansion, is a popular visitor destination. Other historic structures, such as the First African Baptist Church and the remains of slave quarters, tell the story of the island's African-American residents. Cumberland Island National Seashore is home to wildlife and plants, including threatened and endangered species. Each aspect of the park, from its rich history to its complex wilderness, needs to be protected to share with our children and grandchildren.

According to a recent assessment by NPCA's Center for the State of the Parks, Cumberland Island's natural resources are in "fair" condition and the cultural resources are in "poor" condition overall.

Learn more about the park and the threats it faces > >

Have you enjoyed collecting the state quarters? Do you still look through your change for a state that has eluded you?

If yes, get ready for your next challenge. The United States Mint is releasing a series of quarters devoted to our national parks.

The series is set to begin in 2010. The series will feature national parks and national park sites in 56 jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia and each U.S. territory.

Salute to the Parks Gala

NPCA recently held it's annual Salute to the Parks Gala on April 1, 2009 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar shared his vision for Americas national parks and presented the National Parks Conservation Associations prestigious William Penn Mott, Jr. Park Leadership Award to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Since authoring the legislation creating Great Basin National Park in Nevada in 1986, Sen. Reid has worked to protect this national treasure and parks across the country.

Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns offered a sneak peek of his forthcoming documentary about the national parks. Ken Burns is releasing his new documentary, The National Parks: Americas Best Idea, in September 2009; he and his partner, writer Dayton Duncan, shared their thoughts about the National Park System and the lessons learned making the film with Salute to the Parks dinner guests.

Mark your calendar for the next Salute to the Parks Gala--March 24th, 2010. For more information about this year's event visit www.npca.org/annualdinner.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Featured Park: Minute Man National Historical Park
• NPCA At Work for the Parks: Public Lands Bill Creates, Enhances National Parks
• Our Latest Report: Cumberland Island National Seashore
• Travel with NPCA:  Kayaking the Apostle Islands
• Parks in the News:  New Series of Quarters Features National Parks
• Salute to the Parks Gala

We need your support if we are to leave a rich natural, cultural, and historic legacy for our children and grandchildren. Won't you help us protect our national parks by giving a tax-deductible gift to NPCA today?

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From All the Staff at NPCA,
Thank you for your time and dedication in helping to enhance and protect our national parks for present and future generations.
NPCA's park-protection work is made possible by the generous support of people like you. Membership is just $25, and includes a subscription to our award-winning National Parks magazine, recently recognized for excellence in coverage of environmental tourism by the Society of American Travel Writers. Join Us Today!

Park Lines is a publication of the National Parks Conservation Association. E-mail us at TakeAction@npca.org, write to us at 1300 19th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036, or call us at 800.NAT.PARK (800.628.7275).

To learn more, visit us at www.npca.org

"As Americans, we possess few blessings greater than the vast and varied landscapes that stretch the breadth of our continent. Our lands have always provided great bounty - food and shelter for the first Americans, for settlers and pioneers; the raw materials that grew our industry; the energy that powers our economy....What these gifts require in return is our wise and responsible stewardship."

-- President Barack Obama, as he signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009