National Parks Brianna R. & Shawn M.
National Parks A reserve of land that a state owns 84 million acres of protected National Park land Over 58 National Parks in the United State Over 400 sites including historic buildings, monuments, battlefields, and seashores More than 275 million visitors each year Criteria includes beauty, geological features, ecosystems, and recreation Spread throughout 27 states
Conservation Teddy Roosevelt was a big supporter: 32 nd President of United States (“Conservationist President”) Established 51 Federal Bird Reservations, 4 National Game Preserves, 140 National Forests, 5 National Parks, 18, National Monuments Birth place is now considered a national historic site in New York City
Junior Ranger Program Gives youngest visitors opportunity to uniquely explore the parks with their families Allows kids to become engaged and interested Badges and/or certificates can be earned when the program is completed
Yellowstone National Park
Established in 1872 in Wyoming, extending into Montana and Idaho First national park in the United States Famous for its geysers “Old Faithful”=most popular Inhabited by grizzly bears, wolves, bison, elk, and many others Hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and sightseeing are recreational activities offered by the park
Grand Canyon
Located in Arizona Colorado River carved the steep-sided canyon many years ago 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, depth of over a mile! Inhabited by 34 mammal species 18 rodents, 8 bats Nearly 5 million visitors a year Camping, hiking, rafting among recreational activities Canyon traveled by mule, foot, and kayak
Great Smoky Mountains
Created in 1934 Serves as the border between Tennessee and North Carolina Most visited of the National Parks with over 9 million tourists a year Hiking, camping, and fishing among the most popular recreational activities Gets its name from a constant fog that hangs over the mountains (“Smokies”) 187,000 acres of old growth forest Receives heavy rainfall/snowfall each year (flooding)
GROUP ACTIVITY!!!!