Originally founded in 1991 by President George Bush, the week of April 25-31 is used to honor and celebrate the hundreds of National Parks that exist across the different states. Additionally, each day of the week was given a distinct theme to help promote ways for people to get involved and support the National Parks. Saturday, April 20 is Discovery Day.
By trying to, “find a new place, a new interesting fact, [or] a new activity,” the goal is to have people get involved in the outdoors (nps.gov). Additionally, in celebration of this week, entrance fees across all parks are waived to help encourage citizens to get outdoors and simply explore what the National Parks have to offer. Sunday, April 21 is Volunteering Day.
The goal is to “use your time and talents as a volunteer in your national parks” and to “volunteer for a single event or long-term position” (nps.gov).
Additionally, “nearly 300,000 volunteers contribute over 6.5 million hours of service annually in national parks,” equalling roughly “741 and a half years!” (NationalParks.org).
By giving up your own time and volunteering in any way you can, the National Parks are able to not only thrive and stay protected but ensure that they last for the long term. The next day, Monday, April 22, is Earth Day.
Earth Day is a celebration aimed to continue “encouraging education and stewardship of the planet’s natural resources” with “many parks hosting volunteer events” (nps.gov).
Through the celebration and attention that Earth Day brings each year, awareness can be made continually in the hopes that the preservation and protection of nature and Earth’s natural resources are prioritized. Additionally, Tuesday, April 23 is Innovation.
“History of our nation’s innovation is preserved in national parks” (nps.gov).
Because of this, it is more and more important that the preservation of national parks is made for both their natural beauty and the history they hold. Halfway through the week, Wednesday, April 24 is titled Workforce Wednesday.
While catchy, the goal of this day is for people to have the opportunity of “meeting our incredible workforce of employees, interns, fellows, volunteers, contractors, partners, and more” (nps.gov).
Through connections with others and meeting other people, better opportunities can be made, growth within personal relationships can grow, and a better background can be learned about how much work goes into the preservation and protection of national parks around the country. Additionally, Thursday, April 25 is Youth Engagement.
By “earning scout badges, volunteering in parks, and simply having fun in the great outdoors, youth and young adults” can “come to explore […] come to learn […] and come to volunteer” (nps.gov).
In doing so, children and youth can naturally get involved in their environment and learn about wildlife and the importance it holds. Lastly, Friday, April 26 is Community Connections Day, Saturday, April 27, is Junior Ranger Day and Sunday, April 28 is Arts in Parks. All three days are not only meant to finalize the week but to continue to help involve connections and connectivity across the community and people within the parks and society as a whole. Because ultimately, that is what this week is meant for. National Park Week is meant to celebrate the beautiful nature that is within national parks and help bring people together to better protect and preserve the parks for the betterment of future generations and people entirely.
