In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016, America invites people throughout the world to experience our national parks, to discover that park experiences enrich our lives, and to become stewards of these special places.

National Park Centennial Initiative
The National Park Centennial Initiative was launched on August 25, 2006—the 90th anniversary of the National Park Service. The purpose of the initiative is to prepare national parks for another century of conservation, preservation, and enjoyment.

The Future of America’s National Parks
During a nationwide series of “listening sessions,” American citizens, park partners, experts, and other park stakeholders were asked what they envisioned for the second century of national parks. Their more than 6,000 comments helped to shape the five goals of the initiative, which are available in a report called The Future of America’s National Parks (3mb PDF).

Joshua Tree National Park’s Centennial Strategy
The staff at Joshua Tree National Park took its lead from this report and created a Centennial Initiative strategy (168k PDF) to meet the goals of the initiative before the 2016 celebration.

To keep up with preparations for the 100-year celebration and to experience an interactive version of The Future of America’s National Parks, you may visit the centennial website at www.nps.gov/2016.