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Come join our birthday celebration on August 25! The National Park Service was created on August 25, 1916 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." Over the hundred plus years, we've grown into more than 400 national parks and many programs that reach communities around the country—and even the world!
Ways to Celebrate
- Visit in person. There are more than 400 national parks of different shapes, sizes, and things to do. Check the calendar below for parks hosting special birthday events.
- Follow on social media. Join the birthday fun on social media using #NPSBirthday. Find official National Park Service channels, many of which will have activities special activities or posts for our birthday.
Transcript
00;00;00;04 - 00;00;03;04 We asked for your park story.
00;00;11;24 - 00;00;13;04 These are your parks.
00;00;13;04 - 00;00;15;22 This is your story.
00;00;15;22 - 00;00;18;23 I love to hike trails and see the wildlife.
00;00;20;12 - 00;00;24;11 The National Park Service is one of our biggest strengths as a country.
00;00;24;15 - 00;00;28;17 We are lucky to have this space to learn, play, dream
00;00;28;23 - 00;00;31;23 and grow in.
00;00;45;14 - 00;00;47;21 I wanted to share my park story.
00;00;47;21 - 00;00;51;12 My name is Cindy and I'm an artist living in Durango, Colorado.
00;00;52;02 - 00;00;56;02 I've been painting landscapes ever since my recovery from Lyme disease.
00;00;56;12 - 00;00;59;05 I've always painted the scenes around me.
00;00;59;05 - 00;01;02;07 I love sharing my views of the parks.
00;01;14;27 - 00;01;18;06 The national parks have given me a profound appreciation
00;01;18;06 - 00;01;21;05 for nature and its infinite beauty.
00;01;30;09 - 00;01;34;25 Here are some of the best shots I got from our trip to Yellowstone a few weeks ago.
00;01;51;23 - 00;01;54;05 I wanted to share our park story with you.
00;01;54;05 - 00;01;57;22 My daughter Hannah is six years old and has been an ardent lover
00;01;57;22 - 00;02;02;02 of Fort Moultrie National Historical Site, earning her Junior Ranger badge,
00;02;02;11 - 00;02;06;08 her Scout Ranger Award and volunteers there as often as she can.
00;02;06;23 - 00;02;09;15 We learned recently that her great great grandfather
00;02;09;15 - 00;02;12;20 was actually stationed at Fort Moultrie prior to World War Two.
00;02;14;06 - 00;02;15;27 She's also branched out to nearby
00;02;15;27 - 00;02;19;14 parks, having earned her junior Ranger badges at Fort Sumter,
00;02;19;21 - 00;02;24;16 Charles Pinckney, Blue Ridge Parkway, Reconstruction Era and Congaree.
00;02;25;06 - 00;02;28;21 Her dream job is to be a National Park Service Ranger
00;02;28;29 - 00;02;32;08 to help encourage kids to love our parks and history as much as
00;02;32;08 - 00;02;35;08 she does.
00;02;35;13 - 00;02;37;01 This is your story.
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- Duration:
- 2 minutes, 39 seconds
We asked you to share your park story and here's some of what we heard.
What's #YourParkStory?
Each person has their own special connections with certain park places that are very meaningful to them. Maybe where they have a special memory, accomplished something they are proud of, experienced something incredible... For this year's birthday celebration, we are inviting everyone to share their "park story".
Throughout August, we are sharing stories from our staff and visitors on social media using #YourParkStory. Join the conversations and post your story using the hashtag. Learn how you can submit your story for the National Park Service to feature!
"What's #YourParkStory?"
National parks and places we preserve or build in communities can have very special meaning to people. Share your park story.
"sPark Connections"
National parks are extraordinary places to discover and enjoy. How do you connect with your national parks?
"What's Your Wow?"
In a throwback to our 106th birthday, we asked you to share your "WOW" moments...and you delivered!
A Virtual Party
Join our birthday celebration from anywhere in the world, including home. Find virtual ways to stay connected with more than 400 national parks across the country and park party games that you can do anywhere, anytime.
Social Media
Join us on National Park Service social media channels where you will find events, games, and more fun!
Find Your Virtual Park
Stay connected with national parks across the country from anywhere in the world with online resources and virtual experiences.
Games and Challenges
Test your knowledge or learn something new about national parks with games and challenges for all ages.
Find Events
Celebrate the National Park Service's birthday on August 25! Find a park near you or explore in-park and virtual events hosted by parks across the country. Set this calendar to August to find events for our birthday.
Last updated: August 25, 2023