News Release

The Natchez Trace Parkway Receives Field Trip Grant from the National Park Foundation

Date: March 1, 2018
Contact: Melanie Sander, [phone]

Tupelo, MS (March 1, 2018) – The Natchez Trace Parkway (Parkway) was selected to receive a 2017-2018 school year field trip grant from the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. The Parkway’s natural and cultural history creates the perfect setting for rich educational experiences.

This grant, part of the Foundation’s Open OutDoors for Kids program, supports Every Kid in a Park.

“I can still remember the excitement of exploring my first national park as a kid and it made me want to discover more,” said National Park Foundation President Will Shafroth. “I’m thrilled that our National Park Foundation grants make it possible for hundreds of thousands of kids to experience the wonder of parks for the first time, sparking a lifelong love for national parks.”

This grant supports the Parkway’s efforts to provide relevant and engaging curriculum-based field trips for fourth grade students. A local teacher, Allison Bedillion, is assisting the Parkway in the creation of an educational product that is both teacher and student friendly. In an effort to reduce barriers that might otherwise prevent students form visiting the Parkway, the grant covers transportation costs.

For the full list of grantees and their projects, click here.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

Celebrating 50 years, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and ENGAGE the next generation of park stewards. In 2016, commemorating the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary, the Foundation launched The Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks, a comprehensive fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of these national treasures for the next hundred years. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org. 

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Office of the Superintendent, Natchez Trace Parkway

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