Tag Archive for the 'national park service' Tag

America’s National Parks Sensational at NTA

December 19th, 2011 at 2:36 pm by NPPC

Ranger Shelton Johnson addresses the NTA Convention (NTA Photo)

America’s National Parks were featured at a major luncheon program at the National Tour Association convention in Las Vegas this month, marking the first time in anyone’s recollection that the national parks were given such focused attention before the nation’s tour industry.

Response to the national parks program was truly sensational, generating high interest among tour operators and U.S. destinations to meet with National Park representatives attending the show.

On the convention floor throughout the week were representatives of the National Park Service: Rich Wiedeman, Donald Leadbetter and Desmond Lee, who fielded questions and provided guidance to the tour industry about how they can best connect people to parks.  Also there were John Poimiroo and Susan Cronin of the NPPC.

While other exhibitors were able to leave their booths early to attend evening functions, that wasn’t the case for Weideman, Leadbetter and Lee who were so busy that they were among the first manning their booths and the last to leave, each day.

Sponsoring the event were Yellowstone National Park Lodges/Xanterra Parks and Resorts, Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, Forever Resorts, Glacier Park Inc. and Brand USA/DiscoverAmerica.com, who were recognized during the luncheon presentation and were able to have their materials displayed at a very busy America’s National Parks booth.

The luncheon program included inspirational video of the national parks edited by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, followed by an introduction by NPPC Chief Executive Officer Poimiroo, who recognized NTA initiatives to bring more youth and minorities to the national parks.

NPS Interpretive Ranger, Shelton Johnson (NTA Photo)

National Park Service Interpretive Ranger Shelton Johnson from Yosemite National Park electrified the audience, moving several to tears with his emotional Call to Action, describing the obstacles people of color must overcome in order to feel welcomed to visit the parks and encouraging the tour industry to use its resources, knowledge and abilities to connect all Americans to their national parks.

Following Ranger Johnson’s presentation, he was stopped so often that he had difficulty getting back to the America’s National Parks booth which was surrounded at times by tour operators and destinations seeking to discuss how they might better connect people to the parks.

The next NTA convention occurs in Florida in 2013, though discussions are already underway as to how to top this past month’s presentation.  Destinations and businesses interested in benefiting from partnering with America’s National Parks are encouraged to contact NPPC VP of Partnership Development, Sue Cronin [scronin@nationalparksonline.org or (203) 256-8402].

To read what Examiner.com wrote of Ranger Johnson’s presentation, CLICK HERE.

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING WHO HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Top 10 Grand Hotels in the United States

December 5th, 2011 at 10:39 am by NPPC

The Ahwahnee Dining Room, Yosemite National Park © John Poimiroo

Travel writer Christopher Reynolds of the Los Angeles Times included two national park lodges in his list of the top ten grand hotels in the United States.  The Ahwahnee in Yosemite National Park tops the list.  To see the entire LA Times list, CLICK HERE.

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Who Speaks Best About the Parks?

November 30th, 2011 at 2:07 pm by NPPC

The national parks’ best promoters are unquestionably its core of superb interpretive rangers.  Interpreters such as Shelton Johnson in Yosemite and Susanna Ausema at Redwood National and State Parks, reveal to park visitors the often surprising details of a park.  Here’s a great example provided to us by Mark Finley of Finley Holiday Films.

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National Park Lodges Get Binged

October 21st, 2011 at 12:13 pm by NPPC

Drakesbad Guest Ranch Bungalow, Photo Credit: Rick E. Martin

BING Travel posts a slide show of 17 lodges in and near national parks.  It’s nice to see attention given to several lodges that are often overlooked in listings of America’s great national park lodges.

To see the slide show, CLICK HERE.

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NPS to Waive Admission Fees on 17 Days in 2012

October 17th, 2011 at 10:48 am by NPPC

WASHINGTON – To encourage Americans to explore America’s natural beauty, rich history and culture, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the National Park Service will waive admission fees on 17 days in 2012.

“From Independence Hall to our newest national park, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, our national parks tell the story of America, from the beauty of our land to our struggle for freedom and justice,” Secretary Salazar said. “Whether or not it’s during one of the 17 fee free days next year, I encourage everyone to visit a park near them and enjoy the remarkable landscapes and historical and cultural sites that are unique to our great country.”

Salazar emphasized that our national parks and public lands serve as an economic engine for many local communities, supports jobs and driving tourism. Recreation in national parks, refuges, and other public lands fueled nearly $55 billion in economic activity and supported 440,000 jobs in 2009.

The fee free dates for 2012 are January 14 to 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend), April 21 to 29 (National Park Week), June 9 (Get Outdoors Day), September 29 (National Public Lands Day), and November 10 to 12 (Veterans Day weekend). More information is available at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

In addition, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service will waive their entrance and standard amenity fees January 14 to 16, June 9, September 29, and November 10 to 12.   The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also have a fee free day on October 14 in recognition of National Wildlife Refuge Week. The Bureau of Reclamation will waive standard amenity fees on September 29 and November 12.

Many park-related hotels, restaurants, gift shops, and tour operators will offer specials on fee free days.

“The majority of national parks don’t have an entrance fee and those that do charge a maximum of $25 a week for an entire family” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “We realize there are additional expenses when visiting a park so many associated businesses will have discounts and enhancements on the fee free days.”

“One of the great things about a national park vacation is it can be as economical or luxurious as desired,” added Jarvis. “A visit can be a few hours or several days. One could pack their lunch or eat at a snack bar, cafeteria, or gourmet dining room. One could sleep under the stars in the backcountry or stay in a campground, motel, or majestic lodge. There is something for everyone at each of the country’s 395 national parks. So mark the dates, grab a friend or family member – especially one that has never been to a park before – and come visit one of your national parks.”

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National Park Foundation Leads Effort to Honor Memory of Flight 93

September 8th, 2011 at 8:50 am by NPPC

The National Park Foundation is leading an effort to raise funds for the Flight 93 National Memorial to be erected in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

United Airlines Flight 93 was the fourth aircraft on 9/11/01 to be commandeered by terrorists.  Its destination was to be the U.S. Capitol or The White House.  However, heroic passengers aware of the other hijacked planes prevented that from occurring by attacking the terrorists while in flight.  During that process, Flight 93 crashed at the site of the memorial at 10:03 a.m.  Dedication of the new Flight 93 National Memorial will occur on Sept. 11, 2011.

To learn more about the Flight 93 National Memorial and to support its construction, CLICK HERE

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NPS Town Halls Inspire a Call to Action

August 24th, 2011 at 2:28 pm by NPPC

National Park Service employees and partners gathered at sites and parks across the nation on Aug. 25, to participate in a national town hall meeting led by NPS Director Jon Jarvis.

The Town Hall meetings included presentation of highlights from ”Call to Action: Preparing for a Second Century of Stewardship and Engagement,” a report being issued by the National Park Service that describes the challenges facing the national parks as they approach the 100th anniversary of their founding in 2016. The report calls all who work in or support the national parks to commit to concrete actions that advance the mission of the Service.

Broad themes, supported by specific actions are described, including: Connecting People to Parks, Advancing the NPS Education Mission, Preserving America’s Special Places, and Enhancing Professional and Organizational Excellence.

The complete report can be read at: CLICK HERE.

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Chattahoochee River Rap

August 12th, 2011 at 4:23 pm by NPPC

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5PdDnoxWnQ&feature=channel_video_title

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Statue of Liberty National Monument To Remain Open During Interior Renovation

August 11th, 2011 at 3:32 pm by NPPC

The New York Times reported today that safety improvements inside the Statue of Liberty will require the statue’s interior to be closed for a year.  In following stories, the Associated Press and other media made it appear that the Statue of Liberty was closing… not so.  Only access inside the statue and its pedestal will be closed. For 86% of visitors, there will be no change to what they experience, as only 14% enter the statue. In fact, park staff who worked inside the statue previously will be outside to greet visitors, providing a higher staff to visitor ratio on the grounds beneath her feet.

There’s no easy solution when a place as beloved and visited as the Statue of Liberty needs maintenance, though the National Park Service’s solution assures that access to this beloved monument will continue throughout the improvements. Just as Lady Liberty will never fail to hold high her beacon of liberty, rest assured, she will not close.

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Newly Released Study Renews Concern About Missing Minority Visitors

August 4th, 2011 at 9:03 am by NPPC

The recently released “Comprehensive Survey of the American Public,” conducted by the Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center at the University of Wyoming for the National Park Service is raising public awareness discussion of why so few minorities visit national parks, particularly natural parks.

In “Where are the people of color in national parks?,” MSNBC.com travel writer Rob Lovitt  points out findings within the study which indicate that despite efforts by the National Park Service and its partners to encourage more minorities to visit parks, fewer minorities visit national parks than are represented in the U.S. population.  “Visitation figures are skewed even further when the visits in question are to parks that showcase wilderness and outdoor recreation,” Lovitt writes, “For example, at Yosemite National Park in California, a 2009 visitation survey showed that African Americans totaled just 1 percent of visitors, compared to 77 percent white and 11 percent each for Hispanics and Asians.  The reasons would easily fill a book… but the end result is that the national parks run the risk of losing their connection to the American public.”

To review the new study, CLICK HERE and to read the MSNBC article, CLICK HERE.

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