National Park Week 2021 is coming up soon, beginning April 17th. During this week parks across the country will host a variety of special programs and events. Click HERE to find out more about these events.
We’ve made it through a strenuous year of staying in the house a lot more than we’d like. It’s springtime, there is some energy arising, so perhaps now is the time to get out into nature and refresh our spirits.
There are many beautiful forests and historic places to visit for refreshment of the spirit. When we decide to get out in nature, we have the option of visiting a National Park or a National Forest.
An important difference between the two is that National Forests are managed for many purposes including recreation, camping and fishing, timber, grazing and wildlife, and National Parks are not. A National Park preserves a special location without altering it because of its historic importance or exceptional natural beauty.
Here’s how they are differentiated in an article from the National Forest Foundation:
National Forests – The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
National Parks – The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
From the same article we find out more:
U.S. Forest Service – 193 million acres: 155 National Forests, 20 National Grasslands, 1 National Tallgrass Prairie.
National Park System – 84 million acres (55 million in Alaska): 397 areas including National Parks (58), monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails and the White House.
To read the full article, click HERE.
We hope that the spirit of Spring and new life will inspire you to visit Mother Nature. To find a National Forest near you, you can begin your search HERE. To locate a National Park near you, click HERE:
The National Forest Foundation financially supports our National Forests. As a B Corporation, committed to preserve and protect the environment, we deeply appreciate the foundations that support our National Forests and National Parks. During the holiday season AMS made a donation to the National Forest Foundation on behalf of our valued clients. Due to the changes we were all experiencing with COVID, we realized that few things are more important than having a place to go in nature and be inspired and refreshed!
Wishing you an inspiring National Park Week!