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The National Park Service turned 100 today. It was created by an act signed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Although the Park Service is only 100 years old, the nation’s first national park -- Yellowstone National Park -- was designated 44 years earlier under President Ulysses S. Grant.
Today the National Park Service system includes 411 areas covering more than 84 million acres in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These areas include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House. I don’t think I could even make a list of how many of the 411 I have been to or seen, but I think it’s a lot.
I’m so glad that people were able to agree on the preservation of nature. Nature is as essential to me as breathing. Our National Parks have some of the most grand vistas and depending where you go, an enjoyable lack of people. Could I pick a favorite? Gee…Rocky Mountain National Park or maybe the Smokies in NC? I have great memories of camping in both.
Today the National Park Service system includes 411 areas covering more than 84 million acres in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These areas include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House. I don’t think I could even make a list of how many of the 411 I have been to or seen, but I think it’s a lot.
I’m so glad that people were able to agree on the preservation of nature. Nature is as essential to me as breathing. Our National Parks have some of the most grand vistas and depending where you go, an enjoyable lack of people. Could I pick a favorite? Gee…Rocky Mountain National Park or maybe the Smokies in NC? I have great memories of camping in both.