"National parks and reserves are an integral aspect of intelligent use of natural resources. It is the course of wisdom to set aside an ample portion of our natural resources as national parks and reserves, thus ensuring that future generations may know the majesty of the earth as we know it today." --John F. Kennedy

Today, great work is being done to ensure exactly that for which John F. Kennedy spoke of - that future generations will know of the beauty of National Parks.  But it's not easy work, as anyone involved will tell you.  A decrease in funding due to the economy and the president of the last eight years, and a decrease in recreation in general, in turn bringing fewer dollars through the gates, has put a strain on National Parks.  However, just like John Muir, there is always someone and some group stepping up to make sure our National Parks survive the first 100 years (Centennial 1916 - 2016 is coming up!) and then the next 100 years.  The most important of which is the National Parks Conservation Association.  Read through their end-of-the-year newsletter in which they highlight the accomplishments of 2008 and the visions of 2009.  A lot of work has been done and there's a lot more work to do, to ensure that future generations will be able to learn about conservation, history, land management and the beauty of our homeland. 

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