Centennial Celebrations for the National Park Service

One hundred years ago, the National Park Service (NPS) was born. From glaciers and lakes, to valleys and desert arches, US national parks represent the American soul. Throughout the years, over 84 million acres of national park land has been incorporated into the NPS.   305 million people visited national parks last year to hike, swim, kayak, stargaze and take advantage of spectacular views. From Utah’s great arches carved out sandstone from years and years geological processes and Yellowstone’s famous Old Faithful Geyser, America has a lot of offer national park visitors.   National parks embody a tradition of not only preserving pristine landscapes, but also sites of historical and cultural significance. Mesa Verde National Park in southern Colorado is a prehistoric settlement of the Puebloan people between 450 and 1300 ACE. It was established as a national park in 1906, ten years before the National Park Service Organic Act created the NPS. The first national park of its kind, Mesa Verde integrates history and culture of the Puebloan people with the preservation of the lands. The national parks have also inspired art, photography, literature and music. Endangered species, such as wolves, have also been able to regain precious numbers.   We celebrate NPS’s commitment to protecting and conserving our land and culture for generations to come.