National Park Foundation

Hosted by National Park Foundation in partnership with Recreation.Gov, Share the Experience is an annual photography competition encouraging all amateur photographers to submit their favorite views, moments, and adventures from America’s public lands and waters. Congratulations to the 2023 Share the Experience Photo Contest winners! 📸 Grand Prize Winner | Micheal Zheng, Everglades National Park 📸 Second Place | Jack Denger, Badlands National Park 📸 Third Place | Isaac Rosenberg, Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens With the close of the 2023 contest, get excited for the 2024 competition, open now through December 31, 2024! Get your cameras ready, snap some fantastic photos, and #SharetheExperience for your chance to win great prizes! You can learn more and submit your photos at ShareTheExperience.org. Release: https://lnkd.in/drRYckab

Making investments in visitor experience at national parks, tackling deferred maintenance, and supporting park employees through housing requires government, philanthropy and partners to come together. The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) is critical to making this happen. NPF’s President and CEO Will Shafroth led a roundtable with National Park Service leadership on Capitol Hill bringing together NPF’s partners and congressional staff to discuss the impact the GAOA has had on the national mall, at Acadia National Park, and across the National Park System. Thanks to all who joined us!

We had an incredible day with Hollow Coves at the National Park Foundation's office! Earlier this week, the band treated us to a beautiful acoustic performance, followed by an engaging Q&A session. Their visit highlighted their love for the outdoors! As they continue their tour, the band plans to stop at national parks along the way. NPF is grateful that a portion of their US tour ticket sales will support our mission to protect national parks!

NPF helps elevate and preserve LGBTQ+ stories and experiences through our history and culture programs and projects in parks across the country. Explore some of the projects supported by NPF that help preserve and share LGBTQ+ history and culture. https://lnkd.in/ewQud5r3

“Seeing their evolution from, ‘I don’t even know how to hold a rod,’ to ‘oh my gosh, I caught a fish,’ that was really amazing!” - Bobbiette Glover, Ebony Anglers Foundation With support from Niantic, Inc. and Sun Communities & Sun Outdoors, the Junior Ranger Angler program helps children have joyful experiences in national parks through fishing — experiences that inspire a lifelong love for the outdoors. To date, NPF has helped 5,000 young people earn their Junior Ranger Angler badge! NPF is excited to introduce this year’s cohort of Junior Ranger Angler grantees: https://lnkd.in/egzgRVfE

Today is World Turtle Day! National parks are home to many different turtles, in the ocean and on land. Unfortunately, habitat stressors, climate change, and human impacts have led to the decline of many turtle species within national parks. With NPF’s support, scientists at Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources and Environment and USGS are working with the National Park Service on a large turtle study across 15 national parks in the east. With a focus on three particularly vulnerable turtle species – wood turtles, spotted turtles, and eastern box turtles - scientists will collect important habitat and turtle data to help protect these turtles long term. Parks are where we can enjoy turtles in their natural habitats, but don’t forget it is their home! A trip to a national park should be filled with discovery, adventure, and creating new memories! If you are lucky enough to spot a turtle on your visit, for their own protection, please do not disturb or handle them. 📸: Virginia Tech/Max Jones

Through the 2023 Share the Love Event, Subaru of America and its retailers have donated $1.5 million to help preserve and protect national parks for future generations. Subaru is the National Park Foundation’s largest corporate partner and has donated over $55 million since 2013. https://lnkd.in/e5gJpgWc

Today, NPF announced a generous $25 million gift from Connie and Steve Ballmer, co-founders of the Ballmer Group. The funds will support priority initiatives to protect parks and connect people to these great places. The Ballmer’s gift supports NPF’s Campaign for National Parks — the largest historic fundraising effort ensuring our national parks receive the support they need. https://lnkd.in/eNuRG2Kd

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have contributed and shaped the rich heritage of the United States in countless ways, and many of these stories are reflected throughout national park sites. Explore some of the projects supported by NPF that help preserve and share these stories in national parks: https://lnkd.in/ec4BwmyU

In celebration of National Train Day and the Golden Spike National Historical Park anniversary, check out the Junior Ranger Railroad Explorer booklet which gives young explorers the opportunity to dive into the rich history of railroads, thanks to the support of Union Pacific Railroad.  Union Pacific's partnership with the National Park Foundation plays a crucial role in supporting the Open OutDoors for Kids program, which provides thousands of students across 23 states the chance to have unforgettable national park experiences. Today we’re sending a special to thank you to Union Pacific for inspiring the next generation of adventurers and conservationists to explore, learn, and cherish our nation's treasures.  Come join the adventure! 🚂🌟