Faith Lo
On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act, officially creating the National Park Service as a bureau of the Department of the Interior. This act gave the Park Service the responsibility of maintaining national parks and monuments “for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”
This year, on August 25, 2025, the National Park Service turns 109 years old. Known as Founders Day, it’s a celebration of everything the NPS has accomplished, and a reminder of the importance of protecting our wild spaces, historic sites, and cultural landmarks. According to the National Park Service, people can join in the celebration both online and in person. Whether you’re exploring a nearby park, tuning in to a virtual program, sharing your park memories on social media, or simply raising your favorite mug in honor of the rangers and staff who keep the parks thriving, there are countless ways to join the festivities.
The Purpose of the National Park Service
At its heart, the mission of the National Park Service is simple but profound: to protect and preserve America’s national treasures. That means safeguarding everything from the sweeping landscapes of Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, to historic battlefields, presidential homes, and cultural sites across the country. But it’s not just about preservation, it’s also about education and access.
For over a century, the NPS has worked to ensure that the parks remain open, welcoming, and accessible for all visitors. Their work includes everything from maintaining trails, roads, and campgrounds, to running educational programs for students, to restoring wildlife habitats and ecosystems. Rangers and staff also protect fragile historic sites, ensuring that future generations can walk the same ground where history was made.
The significance of the NPS cannot be overstated. With over 400 sites in the National Park System, the Service provides opportunities for millions of people each year to connect with nature, learn about history, and experience the restorative beauty of the outdoors. In many ways, the NPS is a bridge between the past, present, and future, preserving irreplaceable resources so that every generation can enjoy them anew. Read more about NPS here!
Why Founders Day Matters
Founders Day isn’t just about recognizing the date the NPS was established, it’s about honoring the legacy of stewardship that continues today. Over the past 109 years, the NPS has faced challenges ranging from overcrowding and climate change to natural disasters and funding limitations. Yet the mission remains unwavering: to protect the parks and ensure they inspire wonder for everyone who visits.
Celebrating Founders Day is also a way to reflect on our own connections to the parks. Maybe it’s the memory of standing at the edge of Yosemite Valley, hearing the roar of Shenandoah’s waterfalls, or spotting bison roaming through Badlands. Each of us has a story tied to these sacred places, and each of those stories is part of why the NPS is so vital.
This August, Founders Day is the perfect opportunity to share your story, whether that’s posting a favorite park photo, visiting your local park in person, or supporting the NPS through donations and partnerships.
How to Celebrate the National Park Service Birthday
There are many ways to take part in the NPS birthday celebration:
- Visit a Park in Person: Many parks offer special programs, ranger-led hikes, or events on Founders Day. Pack a picnic, lace up your hiking boots, and spend the day in a place that inspires you.
- Join Online Events: The NPS hosts virtual programs for those who can’t travel. These can include livestreamed talks, educational webinars, or behind-the-scenes videos.
- Share Your Park Story: Post your favorite park memories on social media using #FindYourPark or #NPSBirthday to join the national conversation.
- Introduce Someone New to the Parks: Invite a friend, neighbor, or family member who has never visited a park before. Sharing the experience is one of the best ways to keep the parks alive for future generations.
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How You Can Continue to Support the NPS
The National Park Service does an incredible job, but the work of preserving more than 400 sites across the country takes collective effort. Beyond visiting and celebrating, there are plenty of ways to keep supporting the parks all year long:
- Join or Donate to a Friends Group: Many parks have nonprofit partners that raise funds for specific projects, from trail restoration to educational programs.
- Support the National Park Foundation: As the official charity of the NPS, the Foundation directs donations to the most pressing needs across the park system.
- Volunteer Your Time: Opportunities range from trail maintenance and habitat restoration to visitor services and educational outreach.
- Be a Responsible Visitor: Following Leave No Trace principles, respecting wildlife, and staying on trails all help reduce the strain on fragile ecosystems.
- Celebrate Through Your Purchases: By supporting businesses like Deneen Pottery, which highlights the beauty and importance of national parks through our handcrafted mugs, you’re helping spread awareness and appreciation for these protected places.
Why This Birthday Matters to Us at Deneen Pottery
At Deneen Pottery, our connection to the National Park Service runs deep. We’ve had the honor of creating handcrafted mugs for parks across the country, each one featuring custom medallions that reflect the unique character of a place. These mugs are more than keepsakes, they’re daily reminders of the landscapes, history, and stories that make up the National Park System.
Just as the NPS works tirelessly to protect irreplaceable treasures, we take pride in creating mugs that are built to last. Every time you pour coffee, tea, or cocoa into one of our National Park mugs, we hope it brings you back to your favorite park memory and inspires you to keep exploring.
A Final Toast to 109 Years
On August 25, 2025, we’ll raise our mugs high to celebrate 109 years of the National Park Service. From the majestic peaks of Rocky Mountain to the quiet historic homes preserved for future generations, the NPS reminds us that beauty, history, and culture are worth protecting.
So whether you’re heading out on a hike, tuning in online, or simply sipping from your favorite National Park mug, we invite you to join us in saying: Happy Birthday, National Park Service! Here’s to many more years of exploration, preservation, and inspiration
Faith Lo
