News Release

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Welcomes Centennial Volunteer Ambassador

Date: September 24, 2015
Contact: Julie Fonseca de Borges, 206-220-4131

Seattle- Jimi Hightower, a 2015 graduate of University of Washington, will help prepare Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park - Seattle for the National Park Service's 100th anniversary in 2016. She is one of 70 energetic Centennial Volunteer Ambassador interns recently selected to spend the next year connecting local communities to parks through volunteer service opportunities.

Jimi started as a park volunteer last summer with the In My Backyard (IMBY) program, a conservation leadership development and youth outreach program for college students. As a Centennial Volunteer, she is looking forward to establishing an Artist in Residency program, hosting community outreach events, and inspiring others to share her passion and dedication to the outdoors.  She will also be co-hosting a national NPS webinar to share the successes of IMBY and hopes it will inspire future stewards and volunteers.

"The National Park Service's Centennial celebration will focus as much on our future as on our past," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "We are excited that young people, including our Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors, are stepping up as the next generation of conservation leaders. I know this opportunity will enable them to form lasting connections to national parks and the natural world. I also know that their contagious passion will inspire many others to do the same."

The Volunteer Ambassador Program is a partnership between the National Park Service and the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and supports the Department of the Interior's Play, Learn, Serve, Work Youth Initiative to expand educational, vlunteer, and career opportunities for millions of youth and veterans on the nation's public lands.

"Spending time in the natural world is restorative and rejuvenating, not to mention fascinating. And for those reasons, I will do whatever I can to protect the integrity of this wonderful place we call home, " said Jimi.  "Ive had a great experience volunteering at Klondike - Seattle, and I'm looking forward to being more involved and making a difference in my city."

To learn more about the efforts of the Centennial Volunteer Ambassadors visit nps100sca.wordpress.com.