The National Park Service's 96th birthday presents opportunities facing our national parks as they near their second century. From the shores of Acadia to the battlefields at Gettysburg, the petroglyphs at Mesa Verde and the bison that roam Yellowstone, our 397 national parks protect and preserve America's heritage.
The National Park System contains some of our country's historical sites, as well as some of the last wild lands of America. They provide some of the very best wildlife viewing experiences in the country. Visitors can see grizzlies, bison, and mountain goats in the wild; and can experience the historic migration of caribou or pronghorn and see lynx, wolves, and other animals in their native habitat. Yet our national parks are vulnerable from the number one threat facing our parks today -- inadequate funding. The Park Service currently suffers from an annual operating shortfall of more than $500 million, and additional looming cuts will jeopardize this world-class resource.
Find something to do inside your local National Parks on their 96th birthday - This Sat Aug 25. http://go.usa.gov/rXRd