From sea to shining sea.

America is full of beautiful landscapes, and some of the most extraordinary places are available to everyone because they are part of the National Park Service.

But take a moment and imagine... What would our country be like if there were NO national parks?

And what makes national parks so It all started with the Yellowstone National Pa signed March 1st, 1872.

President Ulysses S Grant designated over 2 million acres as a national park and what would become Wyoming and Montana.

And as they weren't even states the parks protection was placed with the Department of the inter Yellowstone is a geological wond and home to a variety of unique ecosystems.

By becoming a national park, the area is protected from development but also available for people to No individual person can own the land and keep it from the rest of Ame By the turn of the 20th century, westward expansion threatened not only natural resources but also areas of historical sig On June 8th, 1906, President Teddy Roosevelt signed the National Antiquities Act.

Public lands can now be designat as national monuments should the ‘historic landmarks, historic ‘and prehistoric structures ‘and other objects of historic ‘or scientific interest However, these lands were not only being rescued from development, they were being taken from nativ Mesa Verde National Park was established to preserve ancient Pueblo structures dating back to the 1200s.

The Pueblo people no longer lived in the area at the time the park was establi but the Ute Tribe who had been living there for ge were forced to relinquish land so it could be incorporated into the park.

Nevertheless, the US government continued to secure public lands under the Department of the Inte but there was no specific agency dedicated to its management.

Through the Organic Act of 1916 signed by President Woodrow Wils The National Park Service was cr providing infrastructure and man to keep the parks protected and Its mission was to ‘Conserve the scenery ‘and the natural and historic ob ‘and the wildlife, as will leave ‘unimpaired for the enjoyment ‘of future generations Today, the National Park Service includes 433 parks and monuments More than 85 million acres in all 50 states.

In 2024, 20,000 permanent and temporary employees worked to protect these important lands plants, animals, artifacts AND keep people safe during thei These workers lead educational p conduct research clear trails, and even rescue stranded hikers, keeping public lands accessible ...well, the public!

And those visitors spend money on lodging, restaurants, and other activities.

It's estimated that while the budget for the National Park in 2023 was around $3.6 billion the parks generated about $55.6 for local economies.

Money aside, the National Park Service is tha a service for the American peopl supported by the American people in recognition of this beautiful we call home.

What do you think?

Does the National Park Service deserve public support?

Or do you think those tax dollars should be spent elsewhere?