Month: April 2020

National Park Week Thanks

Published on by Kathy Cherry1 Comment

As National Park Week wrapped up yesterday, I thought a lot about our national parks this past week. I thought about all the memories of our visits there.

I also thought about the junior ranger programs, the park rangers and volunteers, the history, the military service, the transportation options, the wildlife, the earth, the past, the nonprofit organizations, the mental health benefits, and the furry visitors to the park.

I smiled a lot during these thoughts. The national parks bring us great joy in addition to many other benefits. We could also a bit more joy in these times.

National Park Week provided us with a daily reminder of all the goodness within this great and unique system. While this year we all focused on it virtually, it is still a important week.

Thank you for coming along with me on this year’s National Park Week.

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Bark Ranger Day

Published on by Kathy Cherry1 Comment

As part of National Park Week, today is Bark Ranger Day. Let’s take a guess what this might mean…..bark….like dogs!

BARK actually stands for:

Bag your pet’s waste

Always wear a leash

Respect wildlife

Know where you can go.

These are four great points to remember when bringing your pet to a national park.

Enjoy a photo of our first dog, Ranger, at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.

Friendship Friday

Published on by Kathy CherryLeave a comment

Everybody needs a friend! Even the national parks need friends. As part of the National Park Week, today marks Friendship Friday.

The national parks need our time by volunteering and our donations to help continue these great treasures. You can help by supporting one of more than 200 philanthropic organizations that partner with national parks nationwide.  In addition, many national parks have nonprofit associations linked to them. In addition, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of our national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service.

Take a moment to check out one of these friend organizations of the national parks today! Click here for a directory of these organizations.

Happy National Park Week!

Throwback Thursday

Published on by Kathy Cherry1 Comment

National Park Week now brings us Throwback Thursday!

History and memories are made each day at the national parks.  Take a moment to reflect on one of your own favorite national park memories today!

Enjoy a photo of my own Throwback Thursday of the national parks of a pretty special day in my life and then again 15 years later:

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Happy National Park Week!

Earth Day

Published on by Kathy CherryLeave a comment

Earth Day is a global celebration encouraging education and stewardship of the planet’s natural resources.  This year celebrates the 50th anniversary of Earth Day!

Take a moment and go online to learn about how we can protect our only planet. Click here to learn more about earth sciences. Click here to learn about the leave no trace principles at our parks. For kids, become a junior explorer today by clicking here!

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Cheers to our planet! Happy National Park Week!

Wild Wednesday

Published on by Kathy Cherry1 Comment

National Park Week brings us to Wild Wednesday today! Embrace the wild side of the parks!

To celebrate this day, go wild! You can go on a hike in the wilderness; check out some local wildlife; enjoy some wildflowers; check out the night wild skies; or learn about the wild within the national parks online.

Enjoy some wild photos from last summer at the Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

Enjoy your wild side! Happy National Park Week!

Transportation Tuesday

Published on by Kathy CherryLeave a comment

National Park Week continues with Transportation Tuesday!

National parks share the stories of transportation throughout the United States.  From the railroads promoting the visitation of national parks out West to the many scenic roads and parkways that exist today.

Today, the national parks work to reduce congestion with park buses to transport visitors around. People can bicycle many national parks as well.

Enjoy this brief overview that discusses transportation system infrastructure the NPS manages and the benefits of transportation to and within parks. Click here to see the video.

Take a moment and think about transportation from the past, present, and future options within these national parks.

Enjoy your next bus or bicycle ride within the park next time!

Cheers to National Park Week!

Military Monday

Published on by Kathy Cherry1 Comment

As part of the National Park Week, today is Military Monday. Today, we recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of the U.S. military and also discover connections and opportunities within the parks.

The National Park Service preserves and shares the stories of the American military over the last three centuries. The relationship between the national parks and our military goes way back.  The U.S. Cavalry served as the first park rangers at our first national park, Yellowstone National Park. Hundreds of soldiers were stationed at Fort Yellowstone.

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During World War II, many parks served as training and care locations for military personnel. Today, dozens of national parks commemorate military battles and achievements.

As you plan your next trip, discover the people who have protected our freedom here in America and learn about the places that shaped our military history and culture.

To honor today, take a minute and appreciate the the service and sacrifice of our military here.

Cheers to National Park Week!

VIP Day

Published on by Kathy CherryLeave a comment

As part of the National Park Week, today is Volunteer in the Parks (VIP) Day. Today, we say thank you to the more than 300,000 volunteers within our national parks. Without their hard work and dedication, these parks would not be the same.

For anyone looking to volunteer in the national park system, click here to see more information.

Thank you to our parks VIPs! We can’t wait to get out there again and see you in person to say thanks!