NATIONAL PARKS BLOG

As soon as you step onto the ferry to Governors Island in New York, you are immediately enveloped by scenic vistas and American history. From the outset of the trip out to Governors Island, visitors are met with outstanding views of Manhattan’s Financial District, The Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn and the Wall Street Heliport.

Though few are aware of its significance, this large island in the middle of New York harbor has played a major role in American history. From 1776 to 1996, military communities were stationed on Governors Island with the shared objective of providing protection to New York City.

Today, you can explore the island’s history as it evolved from a colonial outpost to regional administrative center for the U.S. Army and Coast Guard through the National Park Foundation’s Active Trails inspired program, a ranger led historical tour around the island.

The National Park Foundation’s Active Trails program was designed to promote healthy lifestyles while protecting and enhancing our National Parks’ trail resources. This multi-faceted program offers many ways in which volunteers, community groups, corporate partners, students and educators can get involved with their national parks through hands-on trail work, citizen science, formal and informal learning activities, special events and community activities.

Our national parks provide remarkable opportunities for outdoor recreation on more than 13,000 miles of land and water trails. These trails provide millions of people a year with opportunities to experience our nation’s immaculate natural beauty and its dynamic past.

Watch the video from the Governors Island ranger led tour and sign up for your own tour next time you are in New York City.

How to get there:

Catch the ferry from the Governors Island Ferry which is located in the Battery Maritime Building, Slip # 7.

With one click you can help the National Park Foundation raise up to $600,000 from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation!

From January 9th through January 21st, the National Park Foundation will be one of four charities competing for a percentage of a $1million grant. As part of this unique challenge grant, each of the competing charities is guaranteed $100,000, but has the opportunity to raise up to $600,000! Public support through an online voting campaign will determine how the remaining $600,000 will be allotted to the participating charities.

Please cast your vote for the parks daily at www.lowes.com/give or www.facebook.com/lowes and help us spread the word about this outstanding fundraising opportunity for our national parks.

Funds raised for the Foundation through this campaign will support national park restoration and preservation efforts, connect underserved communities to their parks, and give disadvantaged children the opportunity to experience their national parks for the first time.  Every vote is critical – please help us get the word out.

Beginning today, The North Face will donate $1 to the National Park Foundation for every individual who checks in at one of America’s nearly 400 national parks or a The North Face retail location.

Here’s how you check in at a location: http://www.facebook.com/places/

Intended to get more people outside and to give back to America’s 393 national parks, the campaign will continue for one year and will result in a donation of up to $150,000 to the National Park Foundation. The Foundation is one of the inaugural participants in the launch of Facebook Deals, a new feature introduced today by Facebook, that gives people the ability to easily find interesting and valuable offers in their community.

The $150,000 raised will go to support critical Foundation programs. To learn more about the National Park Foundation and how you can help support its programs, visit www.nationalparks.org.

Did you miss Oprah and Gayle’s girls-getaway camping trip to Yosemite National Park? Don’t worry, you can watch clips from the show at Oprah.com or you can tune in today to part two of Oprah’s adventures in Yosemite National Park!

The Oprah Winfrey Show highlighting our national parks demonstrates how blessed our nation is to possess national treasures like Yosemite, and nearly 400 other parks and historical sites – all for your enjoyment. The only thing that is asked is return is that you help protect and preserve these places, and pass them on so they may be enjoyed by future generations. Join in supporting the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, where you can help make a difference in strengthening our parks for the future.

Donate now to help preserve these treasures!

Nine years ago, we vowed to NEVER FORGET the terrorist attacks of September 11th. As a nation we promised to honor all of those lost that fateful day.

Among the heroes of 9/11 are the passengers and crew of United Flight 93 who made the ultimate personal sacrifice in order to save countless lives in our nation’s capital.

This is their courageous story…

Now, in a matter of minutes, you can make good on the promise to never forget those we lost that day. Join the National Park Foundation as we build the Flight 93 National Memorial – the only national memorial dedicated to the events of 9/11 and the heroes of Flight 93.

Donate NOW online www.honorflight93.org, or text MEMORIAL to 90999 and donate $10.*

Remember how you felt on 9/11, and share this with the important people in your life.

*$10 will be added to your mobile phone bill deducted from your prepaid account. Msg & Data rates may apply. Full Terms: mgive.org/T