On August 25th, 1916, America began its greatest effort for the conservation of natural resources. This was also the day that President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Organic Act,” which would create the National Park Service, a federal bureau designed to have stewardship over the 35 already existing national parks and monuments. It was also the day that began a new century of family vacation traditions. American author and environmentalist Wallace Stegner said, “National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American . . . they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.” Many people were influential in the creation of the National Park Service. Conservationist John Muir, who wrote about and studied several areas that would later become national parks, is fondly referred to today as “The Father of our National Park Service” because of his role in creating and bringing attention to these national parks. President Theodore Roosevelt was also a noted naturalist and conservationist who strove to make the federal government a staunch supporter of public lands, thus helping pave the way for the birth of the National Parks Service. Others were influential in the maintenance of the parks, such as the many notable park directors throughout the years. Underneath the backbone of support that has held the National Park Service together for the past 100 years, are the millions of visitors that have continually supported the growing park system. Each year, new records of park attendance are being set as nearly 300 million people visit the 409 National Park Service sites in the United States. Visiting national parks has become an American tradition that has been passed down through generations as visitors are mesmerized by the beauty and splendor found in each of the unique National Parks. National Park areas have something for everyone from seashores, historic parks, monuments, and battlefields to the actual parks themselves. The summation of each of these areas is 84 million acres of federally managed land for the public’s enjoyment; from the largest park in Alaska, the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve with 13.2 million acres, to the smallest area, the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Memorial with 0.02 acres. The purpose of these designated areas has been for the preservation of important and historical areas now and for future generations. The National Park Service’s mission states: The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor re recreation throughout this country and the world. And the National Park Service has succeeded, with record-breaking attendance each year, including international travelers. Many people report after a first visit how overcome they are by the pristine, awe-inspiring beauty that these unimpaired resources offer. If the first hundred years of the National Park Service could be dedicated to the memory of those who made the parks what they are, the next one hundred years could be dedicated to those who keep the parks running every day—the millions of travelers and tourists who visit the parks each year.
Margaret Willden 6/7/2016 8:08 PM Comment [1]: Are we saying that its greatest effort started in addition to the Organic Act? Perhaps clarify how America began its greatest effort. Margaret Willden 6/7/2016 8:08 PM Comment [2]: I really like the repetition of “the day” as an intro. Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:28 PM Deleted: ,… Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:37 PM Comment [3]: Because this is a 100th anniversary story, maybe we can make specific mention of that fact in this paragraph. Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:38 PM Comment [4]: Are there any park directors with unique stories that we could make mention of? Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:34 PM Comment [5]: Recast sentence? The passive tense makes it a little hard to understand that the millions of visitors are the “backbone of support.” This also could maybe be attached to the next paragraph, since the topic sentence of this paragraph is talking about the park directors. Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:39 PM Comment [6]: What makes a particular area a national park? It might be interesting to explain how certain areas become labeled as a “national park.” Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:44 PM Comment [7]: For the sake of consistency, I think “national parks” doesn’t need to be capitalized unless used in a formal title. Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:30 PM Comment [8]: I also like the idea of a sidebar for all the highlighted info, just because this paragraph has lots of great information but feels a little dense. Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:40 PM Deleted: , Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:31 PM Comment [9]: Consider just quoting excerpts from this and putting it into the running text, especially since you’ve already mentioned ... [1] Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:40 PM Comment [10]: We make brief mention of this ... [2] in the previous paragraph as well. Can we Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:41 PM Comment [11]: I like the tone of this and what it implies, but was this stated by an authority ... [3] Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:43 PM Comment [12]: It might be good to move this paragraph to after paragraph 3, just so it ... can [4]
Connie Layton from Utah loves visiting National Parks. Layton visited national parks as a child and was able to pass this love of the parks on to her children. During one family vacation to Zions National Park in southwestern Utah, she and her husband Scott hiked Angel’s Landing with their children. Because their seven-year-old son was a little nervous about the ascent, Scott tied a rope around his son’s waist and helped him succeed on his hike to the top. Layton said this was when she saw a real turning point of confidence in her son. For her, National Parks remind her of family trips such as these, as well as the experiences and confidence the parks gave her children. “National Parks are destination spots—that’s where you take your family,” she says.
Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:32 PM Deleted: In a recent interview, Connie shared memories of visiting National Parks as a Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:45 PM Deleted: child Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:45 PM Deleted: how she Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:47 PM Deleted: She recalled when her children were younger, she and her husband Scott took them on a family vacation to Zions National Park ... [5]in
And the tradition continues with the Layton children and grandchildren. Layton reported that because of the government’s initiative “Every kid in a park,” children in fourth grade and their families can visit National Parks for free. Her grandson who is in the fourth grade was excited to choose parks to visit with his family—keeping their family’s generational appreciation of the National Parks alive.
Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:47 PM Deleted: Their youngest son was only seven ... [6]
Lee and Alena Fluharty are also avid National Park enthusiasts. The couple bought a National Parks pass that paid for itself within a few months because of all their National Park trips. Alena says, “I love the pristine beauty of each place and how we are allowed to go and be a part of each park. I also love how each park is unique and has its own experience that can’t be replicated. I am grateful for the conservation of parks so that everyone has an opportunity to visit and be inspired by nature.”
Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:48 PM Deleted: Connie
Similarly President Franklin D. Roosevelt observed of the parks, There is nothing so American as our national parks…The fundamental idea behind the parks…is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all us.” The National Park Service has a legacy going back 100 years. The parks were made great by the politicians, conservationists, and park rangers and directors who went before us. However, they will continue their legacy for the next several hundred years because of the visitors who come to the parks and fall in love with the experience, scenery, and history. This love is passed down through generations, and will continue to be passed on. The National Park Service is celebrating its cenntenial year with several programs run throughout each of its parks. The National Park Service website has information on finding the parks closest to you, volunteering, and planning trips. The National Parks Service also encourages sharing your story about the National Parks and reading others’ stories at nps.gov. In having and sharing these experiences, we are united with others from all over the world having similar experiences, and it gives us something in common to celebrate. Edwin C. Bearss, National Park Service Chief Historian from 1981 to 1994 said: As we Americans celebrate our diversity, so we must affirm our unity if we are to remain the 'one nation' to which we pledge allegiance. Such great national symbols and meccas as the Liberty Bell, the battlefields on which our independence was won and our union preserved, the Lincoln Memorial, the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and numerous other
Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:47 PM Deleted: . Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:47 PM Deleted: his
Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:48 PM Deleted: Connie said, Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:48 PM Deleted: . Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:50 PM Deleted: Scott and Connie’s Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:50 PM Deleted: Connie Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:49 PM Deleted: , Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:49 PM Comment [13]: Where are they from? Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:50 PM Comment [14]: How much is the entrance ... [7] fee Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:51 PM Deleted: Said Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:54 PM Comment [15]: This might be a good quote ... [8]to Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:57 PM Comment [16]: It might be good to mention ... [9] Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:58 PM Comment [17]: I feel like this has been... [10] Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 7:24 PM Comment [18]: What kind of programs? ... [Are 11] Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:58 PM Deleted: C Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 12:58 PM Deleted: Y Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 7:25 PM Deleted: ,
treasures of our national park system belong to all of us, both legally and spiritually. These tangible evidences of our cultural and natural heritage help make us all Americans. In celebration of 100 years of America’s best idea, the National Park Service is looking forward to the next 100 years of preservation, education, and recreation. For those of you who have never been, find the park of closest to you and prepare for an amazing park experience. For those of you who have been, plan a trip to the park that has always been on your bucket list. Let’s make the centennial celebration of the National Park Service a year to remember, as we remember that our parks unite us in a celebration of diversity. In memory of those who made the parks what they are today, let’s celebrate the next 100 years in honor of those who will keep the Park Service going—the millions of visitors each year.
Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 7:25 PM Comment [19]: Consider shortening this quote, just to help the article flow a little more quickly. It’s a great quote though! Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 7:27 PM Comment [20]: Is this referring to the concept of the national parks? Or the National Park Service? Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 1:01 PM Deleted: C Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 7:27 PM Comment [21]: I think this paragraph could be condensed a bit. In fact, this sentence seems like a great stopping point. It’s direct and sums up the entire article nicely. Margaret Willden 2/3/2016 7:31 PM Comment [22]: For the sake of cohesion, you might consider structuring the article as follows: Intro (talks about history of the National Park Service, names notable figures, and mentions that it’s the 100th anniversary), talk about what the National Park Service/national parks are, talk about the visitors, and close with talking about it’s legacy and the future. This is basically what you already have, but it might be good to keep a clear structure in mind so it’s a packaged up a little more. You have lots of great information!