The National Park Service Centennial Celebration

On August 25 of this year, the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. The centennial will mark the beginning of a second century of stewardship of America's national parks, and the continuation of inviting and sharing of some America’s most beautiful landscapes that are home to many fascinating plant and animal species. Preservation, conservation and recreation have long been at the heart of the NPS. The centennial will celebrate the achievements of the past 100 years, but the future of America’s National Parks will no doubt be the focus moving into the next century.

Since August of 1916, the NPS has been assigned the responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s national parks. Beginning with Yellowstone National Park as the first national park in the U.S., the Service developed the parks for tourism, with the construction of highways, trails, museums, campgrounds, picnic areas, administrative facilities, among other features to accommodate the public. The national park system contains some off the most sublime natural scenery including the Grand Canyon, the Yosemite Valley and Half Dome, Old faithful, and the Teton Mountains. These landscapes and more holds symbolic beauty, and the NPS has helped in raising the level of appeal around them as national treasures. The parks that contain these remarkable natural beauties are the responsibility of the NPS in ensuring that they are protected in their natural state.

The early task of the NPS was to preserve special scenery for enjoyment, but wildlife preservation was recognized as an important aspect of the parks that also needed to be protected. Endangered animals and those highly prized by hunters sparked interest and encourage national park wildlife policy. Nurturing and protecting nature in a manner that is appealing and pleasing is at the heart of the NPS. The mission of the NPS in part is to “preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”

Moving into the next century, that mission will very likely be the same with the help of volunteers and partners. The NPS provides “opportunities to explore, learn, be inspired or simply have fun in their 407 national parks, as well as understanding how the National Park Service’s community-based recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs positively impact their own communities.” Let us all support the mission of the NPS as it celebrates 100 years of existence.

All sizes are approximate.