National Association of State Park Directors
First Day Hikes On January 1, 2026 we will kick off the new year and America's semiquincentennial with First Day Hikes! First Day Hikes began in Massachusetts in 1992 and came on nationwide in 2012 under America's State Parks. Whether it's a hike, snowshoe, or even a swim, First Day Hikes are an opportunity for park visitors to start the new year on the right foot in the outdoors. These programs welcome new park visitors as well as those seasoned patrons for a variety of opportunities all acro...
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STIHL Inc. is proud to announce its continued support of the Hearts of STIHL program, an initiative dedicated to the preservation and care of our nation’s state parks. Inspired by the dedicated staff of America’s State Parks, the mission of Hearts of STIHL is to support the people and programs that protect these national treasures, ensuring they can be enjoyed by all Americans for generations to come. For 2025, the Hearts of STIHL program will provide grants to a state park in each o...
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Plan for Action THE CRISIS The way children understand and experience their natural world has changed radically over the past several decades. Their physical contact and intimacy with the natural outdoors has diminished greatly. Their inability to connect with nature is now recognized as a national issue of concern. There is speculation that the loss of a child/nature connection threatens their independent judgment, their value of place, their ability to feel awe and wonder, their sense of stew...
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Bronco Wild Fund (BWF) is continuing support for America’s State Parks by promoting our shared goal of helping increase access to the outdoors. We are excited to offer funding, distributed in January of 2026, to kick off the new year by funding new programs. BWF is providing funds for new introductory access programs in state parks. The overall goal is to get more people outdoors, build their skills to connect outside in the future and tackle barriers to engaging in new outdoor activities. ...
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The mission of the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) is to promote and advance the state park systems of America for their own significance, as well as for their important contributions to the nation’s environment, heritage, health, and economy.
State park systems can stimulate each state's economy through tourism, relocation, recreation, and even air-quality for nearby residents. Outdoor recreation can reduce juvenile crime, promote closeness within families, and build community involvement. Spending time in state parks promotes exercise, good health, inspiration, self-realization, and life enrichment. Supporting state park systems ensures that natural and cultural resources are preserved for the next generation. Children growing up in a culture of smart phones and computers can benefit greatly from spending time outdoors in state parks.
