The National Park Service, created in 1916 and now over one hundred years old, has become an immensely popular concept with visitation equal to the national population of the United States every year. Along the way, the Service has picked up a few issues and stresses that endanger the mission of the NPS. Its unique mission is to preserve and protect America's significant natural, cultural, and historical areas for future generations in an unencumbered condition. The areas that are America's Living National Treasures. Those issues need to be addressed to allow the National Park Service to uphold its mission and continue to protect our National Treasures for future generations. This book is dedicated to the identification of some of those issues and presents possible solutions, by capturing the author's experiences over his 35 year career, depicting what working for the Service entails and its challenges. Once the reader has a better feel for work of the National Park Service, there are specific sections dealing with the author's concerns for the future and the changes needed today to bring the Service back to its prime.

Six of the Earth's most remarkable parks on six different continents showcased - from the dense rain forest of Manu National Park in Peru to the rich wildlife of South Africa's Kruger to the desert beauty of Jordan's Petra. Dramatic, informative, and breathtakingly beautiful, the journey through each of these parks explores an amazing corner of the globe.

"Travel back in time and place to experience the grandeur and history of 24 of our most spectacular National Parks "then and now". From the depths of the Grand Canyon to Yosemite valley, from the shorelines of Acadia and Olympic to Yellowstone's geysers, join photographer Paul Horsted as he discovers the sites where pioneering photographers set up their cameras long ago. In precisely-matched photo pairs you'll see the beauty and history of our parks as they appear now and as they looked 75, 100, or even 150 years ago. This beautiful, oversize 240-page book is an invaluable record of our parks for today, as well as a future reference for anyone who cares about these treasured landscapes."--Adapted from publishers promotional description.

America's national parks are more popular than ever, drawing record numbers of visitors every year. This special issue is a celebration of these parks, representing the best of the geographic and biological diversity of the far-flung U.S. park system. Packed with extraordinary photographs (as well as intriguing data and detailed descriptions), these pages serve not only as a guide to the parks' individual charms, but also as an appreciation of their unmatched—and fragile—natural splendor.

"Audrey's love of nature and the national parks is equaled only by her love for people." -Juan Martinez, National Geographic Emerging Explorer, Wyoming "Audrey opens up the country to us in a whole new way. She weaves the beauty, history and culture she has found in our national parks into a spellbinding story that makes me want to get out there even more." - Rue Mapp, founder, Outdoor Afro, California "In Our True Nature, Audrey Peterman expresses the joy and wonder to be found in our national parks. Her effervescent words bubble with the enthusiasm she has for the parks and all they bring to humanity." - John Poimiroo, CEO, National Parks Promotion Council "Audrey's writing is so vivid, I feel like I am there with her, whether it's in the wilds of Alaska or the historic town of Harpers Ferry, Virginia. This is a welcome guide for anyone interested in history, beauty, nature, travel, adventure or just understanding what it means to be an American." -Al Calloway, historian and writer, Florida ________ Audrey Peterman is a national award winning environmentalist. A native of Jamaica and a citizen of the US, she and her husband Frank co-authored the book, Legacy on the Land: A Black Couple Discovers Our National Treasures and Tells Why Every American Should Care. Since 1995 she has visited more than 160 of the 397 units of the National Park System and is an advocate for their continued protection.

"Fifty-Nine Parks collaborated with some of the world's foremost contemporary artists and designers to create original posters that celebrate the unique beauty of the U.S. National Park system. Each poster is a contemporary take on the W.P.A. posters of the 1930s, resulting in a one-of-a-kind tribute to the majesty of the national parks"--

The National Parks: Our American Landscape is a timeless new look at the immensity, history, and powerful beauty of America’s protected natural landscapes that remain a continued inspiration to generations of Americans. America's national parks and historical sites embody the American spirit. They are windows to our past, homes to some of our rarest plants and animal species, and places where every American can go to find inspiration, peace, and open space. From the iron rails of Steamtown, Pennsylvania to the wilds of Yellowstone, America’s natural parks preserve our culture in as much as they shield our natural world from our own encroachment. The National Parks: Our American Landscape presents a wonderfully updated photographic survey of one of America’s greatest national treasures. Seen through the eyes of the National Parks Conservation Association’s photographer Ian Shive, America’s National Park System come to life through a collection of more than 200 new photographs. Shive's stunning work demonstrates the diversity and awe inspiring beauty of the American wild lands covering the major United States parks from the warm waters of Biscayne, Florida to icy summit of Mt. McKinley in Denali National Park, Alaska.