During his family’s Father’s Day weekend visit to Yosemite National Park in California, President Barack Obama spoke about the importance of national parks in a speech Saturday at Sentinel Bridge, with Yosemite Falls as a backdrop.
In describing the beauty of the park, Mr. Obama said, “It’s almost like the spirit of America itself is right here.”
The president took the opportunity to note the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service and the #FindYourPark campaign, efforts to get more kids to visit national parks, his administration’s protection of more than 265 million acres of land and marine areas, and continued preservation needs amid the impacts of climate change.
In the speech, Mr. Obama hinted that more park designations could be coming.
“We’ve got more work to do to preserve our lands and our culture and our history,” the president said. “We’re not done yet.”
On Friday, the First Family visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico.
Comments
Thank you Traveler, I was not in the Yosemite Valley during the President and his families visit, but know both visitors and employees, the vast majority anyway, that I contacted were thrilled. The President and family held the press conference, greeted many visitors and employees, met with school age groups, walked with the Park Superintendent (a good man), and he, his spouse and daughters found time for a half day hike from Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley. It was an historic and productive event, positive and hopeful. In any case, that is what I saw. Kurt thanks for all you do and thanks for posting the video