Passport To Your National ParksPassport To Your National ParksThe world may have taken little notice when the first national park, Yellowstone, was created by Congress in 1872. But a seed was being sown that has had worldwide influence ever since. During the ensuing years conservationists and preservationists everywhere have been able to insist that the best of their scenic, scientific and historical heritage should be preserved. In the forefront of the conservation and preservation movement stands the National Park Service, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Click to find information on how National Parks are created.
Today, the National Park Service administers for the benefit and enjoyment of the people more than 350 "treasures of our nation," as the parks are often called. Thousands of devoted service employees help to give added meaning through interpretation. Assisting them for many years have been cooperating associations, nonprofit educational service institutions supporting the educational and interpretive programs in the parks. One of these cooperating associations is Eastern National Park & Monument Association. With the support of the National Park Service, Eastern National has collected the information, designed and published a Passport to serve as a constant companion to visitors at the parks. Not only will the Passport inform, but it will also record visits to parks through stamps and cancellations.
The Passport allows for happy and rewarding travels to the many treasures and allows for the collection of many wonderful memories.
The Nation's natural treasures--our national parks--are all wrapped up for you in one handy package with the Passport To Your National Parks program. This 104-page travelogue includes color-coded maps, pre-visit information, illustrations and photographs. Designed in a 6" x 3" format that fits conveniently in a pocket or pack, this spiral-bound book makes it easy to explore both well-known parks like Grand Canyon and lesser-known areas like Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Passport also provides you with a unique and interesting way to record up to five years of park travels, with official park "cancellation" marks. These rubber stamp markings, similar to the ones international travelers receive in their passports, record your visit by noting the park name and date of your visit. Individualized with commemorative stamps and park cancellations, your Passport becomes a uniquely personal travel scrapbook.
With the Passport there is a guide to the national treasures in America - the national parks. The Passport can be used to discover more about the parks near your home and throughout the nation. The national parks in America are incredibly diverse. They range from well-known areas of natural beauty such as Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to historic Independence Hall and to lesser-known areas commemorating presidents, decisive battles and famous Americans from all walks of life.
A color-coded map is provided to give an idea of the scope of the park system nationwide. It is organized into nine geographical travel regions for easy reference. Each region is identified by color throughout the Passport.
The Passport gives you the opportunity to insert stamps highlighting parks within each region. There are nine regional stamps and one national stamp issued annually.
When visiting any national park, be sure to have your Passport canceled. These rubber stamp markings record your visit by noting the park name and the date you were there.
All national stamps are available at national parks throughout the country. The national stamp comes with an interpretive card with information about the park and its special place in our heritage. The stamp and card should be placed on the appropriate page in the following section.
By collecting these stamps, you will be collecting a memento of the American experience. Your Passport will be filled with tributes to some of the most important places, people and events in our nation's history, Many of our national parks celebrate events of great national interest throughout the year; together they all play a crucial role in telling and preserving the story of America.
Every year a park from each region will be depicted on a stamp and described on an interpretive card. Thus, ambitious treasure hunters will be able to collect nine regional stamps a year. As you collect the regional stamps in your Passport over the years, you will gain something much more precious - a greater insight into your country.
Collecting these stamps can be fun and will allow you to visually explore your country's great heritage. The are available at most of the National Parks. You may also obtain the stamps by mail.
These cancellations allow you the opportunity to share and relive your
journey through America's national parks. The Passport will become a
valuable and informative scrapbook to cherish for years.
Proceeds from the sale of Passports and stamps go to the National Park Service. Thus, when you participate in this program you can feel proud to know that you are helping to protect, preserve and improve your national parks. National parks protect America's heritage. They preserve the phenomenal beauty of our country and its historic past. They are there for you to use, enjoy and learn. Preserved, they are your gift to your children and your children's children.
Your travels will take on new meaning as you visit different areas of the country to complete your collection of regional stamps and park cancellations. So don't forget to get your Passport canceled at every national park you visit!
1996 philbroo@ix.netcom.com -- Send me e-mail to let me know what you think.
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