#United States #Washington #Veterans #Military Families #National Park Foundation

National Park Foundation's New Program

In a heartfelt initiative marked by the recognition of Veterans Day, the National Park Foundation (NPF) has announced a program aimed at bridging the gap between military personnel, veterans, their families, and the national parks of America. This groundbreaking initiative is not only a tribute to those who have served but also emphasizes the foundation's commitment to providing enriching experiences in the great outdoors.

Overview of the Program

The NPF's new program will facilitate meaningful interactions and experiences for those who have dedicated their lives to serving their country. With a primary focus on enabling recreational and educational opportunities, the initiative is designed to benefit service members, veterans, military families, and Gold Star families.

Key Components of the Initiative

To ensure the program's effectiveness, NPF will introduce two significant components. The first will involve hiring ten new staff members in collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS). This hiring initiative predominantly focuses on vetting candidates from the military community, including veterans and military spouses. The roles will include nine seasonal rangers located at various parks close to military bases across the U.S.

Among the parks that will benefit from this program are:

• - Canaveral National Seashore, Florida
• - Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Florida
• - Fort Monroe National Monument, Virginia
• - Moores Creek National Battlefield, North Carolina
• - National Capital Parks-East, District of Columbia and Maryland
• - Olympic National Park, Washington
• - Petroglyph National Monument, New Mexico
• - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
• - San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Texas

In addition to creating new employment opportunities, these roles will help to strengthen existing connections between the NPS and nearby military installations, thus enhancing the support network for military families.

The second component entails an impressive $450,000 investment aimed at providing structured and welcoming outdoor recreational and educational experiences. This investment will be executed in collaboration with the National Park Trust, emphasizing introductory programs centered on outdoor activities to help foster a sense of belonging, confidence, and connection within the national parks.

Overcoming Barriers to Access

The funding from the NPF will play a crucial role in addressing various barriers that military families face when accessing national parks, such as cost, transportation, familiarity with the parks, and availability of adaptive equipment. The initiative seeks to ensure that military families can fully enjoy and benefit from the nation's natural landscapes and cultural sites.

As highlighted by Mike Reynolds, the Chief Program Officer of NPF, "National parks serve as powerful venues for reflection, rejuvenation, and connection." The goal of this program is to enable more military families to experience the joy and sense of community found in the nation's parks, ultimately creating lasting connections between these beloved natural spaces and those who have served.

Future Prospects

The inaugural military and veteran engagement program by NPF represents a significant step towards embedding a culture of inclusion and support for military families within the national park framework. Previous projects funded by NPF have demonstrated the vital role that direct engagement can play, such as veteran-led initiatives at Saguaro National Park and fishing clinics in Jacksonville, Florida.

Through the insights garnered from this pilot program, NPF aims to inform and expand its efforts nationwide, ensuring a sustained commitment to military engagement within the parks across the country.

The National Park Foundation's dedication to this initiative is supported by generous donations, underscoring a collaborative effort to honor and serve those who have served the nation. For more information, visit nationalparks.org and engage with NPF across social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Together, we can foster a community where veterans and active duty personnel feel recognized and appreciated in the breathtaking settings of America’s national parks.