National Park Foundation Celebrates Senate Passage of 2021 National Park Week Resolution
WASHINGTON – National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth issued the following statement in celebration of the adoption of a S.Res. 159, which designates April 17 - April 25, 2021, as National Park Week:
“The National Park Foundation looks forward to National Park Week every year, and the bipartisan resolution officially designating this year’s celebration is a meaningful way to mark this special occasion. The Foundation applauds the Senate Energy and Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on National Parks Chairman Angus King and Ranking Member Steve Daines for their leadership in sponsoring S.Res. 159, and thanks its 48 bipartisan cosponsors for their support.
In celebration of National Park Week, the resolution recognizes that parks embody the rich natural and cultural heritage of the United States, reflecting a multifaceted national story through people and places and offering numerous opportunities for recreation, volunteerism, cultural exchange, learning, and civic engagement.
The resolution highlights the role of national parks as economic drivers, responsible for $21 billion in spending in 2019, and acknowledges the more than 20,000 National Park Service employees who care for these treasured places.
As we honor the National Park Service’s steadfast stewardship of America’s natural and cultural heritage during National Park Week, the Foundation joins with Chairman King, Ranking Member Daines, and the measure’s cosponsors to encourage everyone to explore America’s treasured places — either in-person or virtually — and to do so responsibly while continuing to be mindful of public health precautions during the ongoing pandemic.
The Foundation also invites everyone to celebrate the full diversity of our parks with special National Park Week programs taking place virtually and in-person across the country, and to safely enjoy free entrance to all national parks on Saturday, April 17.”
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org.