we wouldn't have the life-changing moments we encounter when we visit our parks, monuments, memorials and recreational areas.Through a collection of charming, heartwarming, riveting and entertaining stories, The Wonder of It All:100 Stories from The National Park Service captures recent experiences of NPS employees and volunteers from around the United States.
- A park service EMT who made a daring nighttime rescue on horseback to save the life of a hiker in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- An out-of-shape unhappy guy finds that volunteering for the NPS in the Santa Monica Mountains National Reserve Area was the best thing he could have done for himself, his career, and his marriage.
- A paleontological intercessor in Dinosaur National Monument shares his profound moments with a remarkable, dinosaur-loving Make-A-Wish child.
- A "park brat" recounts a memorable mosquito-infested outing with her park ranger father who took her and her sister on an outing that would forever prepare them for life's adventures.
More than 290 million people visit our national parks every year.
As President Theodore Roosevelt stated one hundred years ago, in 1916, the parks are America's "best idea," and their preservation has been a cornerstone of the American democratic ideal: to protect land for the enjoyment and inspiration of all people.
The people profiled in this book make than enjoyment possible.
From Yosemite National Park in California to the Appalachian Trail, from Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and from Acadia National Park in Maine to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, national parks and other protected areas have occupied the wild lands, historic locations and imagination of Americans for one hundred years and will surely inspire generations to come.
A centennial salute to the National Park Service, 'The Wonder of It All' will encourage more park visits and greater support, and may even spawn new careers, while reminding the nation that the men and women who work at America's "best idea" will always welcome visitors with a tip of a flat hat.
The Wonder of It All: 100 Stories from The National Park Service
Publisher: Yosemite Conservancy
Release Date: February 1, 2016
Publication Date: March 15, 2016
320 Pages - Paperback - Illustrated throughout with more than 100 archival images and other photographs.
Dimensions: 6" H x 1" W x 9" L
$18.95
Source: Yosemite Conservancy
About Yosemite Conservancy
Through the support of donors, Yosemite Conservancy provides grants and support to Yosemite National Park to help preserve and protect Yosemite today and for future generations. The work funded by Yosemite Conservancy is visible throughout the park, from trail rehabilitation to wildlife protection and habitat restoration.
The Conservancy is dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience and providing a deeper connection to the park through outdoor programs, volunteering and wilderness services. Thanks to dedicated supporters, the Conservancy has provided more than $100 million in grants to Yosemite National Park.
