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North Cascades National Park Service ComplexPhotographing Great Smokey Mountains National Park
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North Cascades National Park Service Complex
America's Best Idea
 
"I think that when people go to a national park, they’re provided a compass to history. And so the parks become a mirror of who we are, of our own identity, not just as American, our identity as human beings, as a species, as how we fit in to everything else around us."
-Shelton Johnson, Park Ranger
 
Arches National Park
Craig Mellish
Arches National Park, Utah
 

Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature’s most spectacular locales – from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska – THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA is nonetheless a story of people: people from every conceivable background – rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists, artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy. It is a story full of struggle and conflict, high ideals and crass opportunism, stirring adventure and enduring inspiration – set against the most breathtaking backdrops imaginable.

THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA is a six-episode series directed by Ken Burns and written and co-produced by Dayton Duncan. Airing nationally beginning Sunday, September 27th. For more information, please visit: www.pbs.org/nationalparks

 
Local Events
 
  • SEPT 8, Methow Valley:
    Screening of the "This is America" preview
  • SEPT 24, Mount Vernon:
    Exclusive preview with North Cascades Institute
  • OCT 1, Seattle: TWO events! 
    Fundraiser and viewing of Episode 5, with the Mountaineers, for Washington's National Park Fund AND
    Viewing and Panel Discussion with KCTS9
    and the National Parks Conservation Association

Click HERE for local events details.

 

 
Viewing Schedule
 
  • Sun SEPT 27 Episode 1: The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890)
  • Mon SEPT 28 Episode 2: The Last Refuge (1890-1915)
  • Tues SEPT 29 Episode 3: The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919)
  • Wed SEPT 30 Episode 4: Going Home (1920-1933)
  • Thurs OCT 1 Episode 5: Great Nature (1933-1945)
  • Fri Oct 2 Episode 6: The Morning of Creation (1946-1980) 

Click HERE for the local KCTS9 PBS Schedule. For all other PBS stations, click HERE.

 
Volunteer
 
From Student Conservation Association interns to campground hosts, volunteers have played an integral role in the history of the National Park Service. Join North Cascades as we kick off America's Best Idea on Saturday, September 26, National Public Lands Day, with some special volunteer opportunities.
 
Multimedia
 
Check out the special PBS website to watch movie clips, download wallpaper for your desktop, and follow the program on Twitter and Facebook.
 

PHOTO CREDITS
Local Events: Yellowstone National Park.
Viewing Schedule:  QT Luong/Terragalleria.com
Volunteer: David Snyder, North Cascades Artist-in-Residence, 2007
Multimedia: QT Luong/Terragalleria.com

My Parks! Video Contest
My Parks! Digital Storytelling Competition
Students grade 7-12 are encouraged to submit a video about their northwest national park experience.
more...
Voices of the North Cascades
Voices of the North Cascades
A new audio series that asks North Cascades staff to reflect on their national park.
more...
Superintendent's Message
Superintendent's Message
An invitation by North Cascades superintendent, Chip Jenkins
more...
Did You Know?  

Did You Know?
Early exploration of the Puget Sound lead to the naming of many peaks and areas with both Spanish and English names. Diablo Lake and Mount Baker are two examples in the North Cascades.
more...

Last Updated: August 27, 2009 at 16:03 EST