The Past of National Parks

The idea of national parks in the United States grew out of a deeper appreciation for our nation's natural beauty along with a desire to protect it from being overused. While Yellowstone National Park, which was created in 1872, is widely known as the world's first national park, its establishment took decades of changing ideas and legislative effort. Some of the people that were key in making this preservation happen were George Catlin, Henry David Thoreau, and John Muir. They helped to draw interest and encouraged the belief that these landscapes held much more value than just economic gain. This is when the foundation was set for a more official system.

The National Park Service kicked off in 1916, and brougt the many parks and monuments under one agency. The first director was Stephen Mather, and he helped create a clear mission, which was to protect the nature, wildlife and history, and let people enjoy it while preserving it for the future generations to come. This is still the mission that the National Park Service strives for today. This expansion of the system over the past century, incorporating diverse sites from historical battlefields to urban recreation areas, reflects a broadening understanding of "national treasure" and the importance of accessible green spaces for all.