If we lose the wilderness, we will lose part of ourselves

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge captures the soul and simplicity of old Florida. Salt marshes, pine forest, egrets make for a picturesque backdrop. It’s a nature lover’s paradise with eagles, alligators, bitterns, ducks, herons, ibises and more. The area is part of the “Nature Coast.”

President Theodore Roosevelt, known as the “conservation president,” set up 150 national forests, 51 bird preserves, 4 game preserves, 5 national parks, and 18 national monuments.

Every president since has declared National Park Week. This year, it falls on April 20-28

Theme Days

April 20 – Discovery Day kicks with free admission at National Parks.

April 21 – Volunteer Day

April 22 – Earth Day 

April 23 – innovation Day

April 24 – Workforce Wednesday

April 25 – Youth Engagement 

April 26 – Community Connections

April 27 – Junior Ranger Day

April 28 – Arts in the Park 

In all 28 states have National Parks. There are over 6.600 park sites in the United States.

The big boost to state parks systems came with the establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933 during the Great Depression.

This work relief program put young men to work between the ages of 17 and 23 planting trees, cutting trails, and scenic vistas and constructing recreational buildings. The CCC program created a total of 711 state parks across the country.

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