Here you go:

1. Glide along the shoreline at Biscayne National Park (Florida).

Explore tidal creeks and canals, and skim over vast seagrass meadows while watching for manatees, birds, fish and other critters. Weather permitting, this FREE 2-3 hour paddle begins at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center at 9am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until April. More information at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/event-listing.htm?eventID=9627.

Photo credit: Biscayne National Park

2. Enjoy the snow before it’s gone with a snowshoe hike in Crater Lake National Park (Oregon).

Explore one of the snowiest inhabited places in America, receiving an average of 44 feet of snow per year. Snowshoes are provided for free. Be sure to make reservations in advance as the ranger-guided snowshoe walks fill up fast! More information at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/event-listing.htm?eventID=9559.

 3. Capture beautiful moments with Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia).

Do you love taking photos? Join fellow photo enthusiasts for an evening of photography demonstrations including helpful techniques and tips designed to get that perfect shot! Photographers of all levels are invited and encouraged to attend. More information at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/event-listing.htm?eventID=10628.

 4. Compete in a scavenger hunt in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee, North Carolina).

Round up your friends and family for the 4th Annual Great Smoky Mountains Scavenger Hunt on March 3, 2012! The hunt uses roads and official trails all across the park. More information at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/event-listing.htm?eventID=766.

 5. Learn how your life compares to life in the Arctic at Kobuk Valley National Park (Alaska).

Ever wanted to learn about life in the Arctic? Here’s your chance! Come check out the Arctic Circle Film Series every Tuesday evening from 7-9pm! More information at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/event-listing.htm?eventID=2.

 6. Celebrate Women’s History Month at Lowell National Historical Park (Massachusetts).

March is Women’s History Month! Since 1996, Lowell National Historical Park has been celebrating Lowell Women’s Week. Join in on the fun and celebrate the important role women have played in history and present-day with Lowell Women’s Week, March 4 – March 12, 2012. More information at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/event-listing.htm?eventID=10730.

 7. Make a lei necklace at Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site (Hawaii).

Join “Aunty Martha” from the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association for lei making demonstrations! More information at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/event-listing.htm?eventID=10824.

 8. Enjoy a river walk at Tumacácori National Historical Park (Arizona).

Hike to the Santa Cruz River and explore the natural and cultural history found in this national park, one of the National Park Foundation’s American Latino Heritage Fund sites. More information at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/event-listing.htm?eventID=9677.

 9. Indulge your artistic side at Weir Farm National Historic Site (Connecticut).

Be creative, be inspired and Take Part in Art at Weir Farm National Historic Site, home to three generations of American artists! The park will provide graphite pencils, colored pencils and chalk pastels for all ages and experience levels.  More information at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/event-listing.htm?eventID=7921.

 10. Sit back, relax and chat on the patio at White Sands National Monument (New Mexico).

Enjoy a weekend afternoon chat on the patio with the rangers! The rangers will lead discussions on a variety of topics. More information at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/event-listing.htm?eventID=8171.

So what do you think of our list? Think you’ll venture out and take part in any of these fun activities? I wish I could hit up all of these parks and more this season! We’d love to hear your plans for the Spring - share them in the comments below!

Ranger Margaret Anderson

Margaret was an 11-year veteran of the National Park Service, working at Bryce Canyon National Park and C&O Canal National Historical Park before her time at Mount Rainier. Her husband Eric is also a National Park Ranger, having served in Shenandoah, Rocky Mountain, Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone and Mount Rainier national parks throughout his career.

Margaret and Eric’s service and sacrifice reminds us of the importance and commitment of our Rangers. These individuals, from all walks of life, serve our country as proud stewards of our nation’s most valuable treasures. They teach us. They inspire us. They protect us. They serve as the trusted guardians not only of these sacred places, but of the countless people that visit them.

As many of you have noticed, the National Park Foundation emblem features the iconic National Park Ranger hat — a symbol of pride, guardianship and protection. As the official non-profit partner to National Park Service, we are proud to support and honor the bravery, tradition and excellence of the men and women we call Rangers.   

The National Park Foundation has established a memorial fund to benefit the children of Margaret and Eric Anderson. I hope you will join us in honoring Margaret’s memory.

Rabbis lighting the National Menorah in President's Park in celebration of Chanukah

And I’m not the only one who feels this way! Michael Faison of the Idaho Commission on the Arts (the official state agency for the support and development of the Arts in Idaho), which selected the local artist and arts youth group that designed and created the 2011 ornaments for Idaho’s state tree, wrote about his experience at the National Christmas Tree display and you can read it below.

(In case you want a little background on the state and territory trees, here’s the deal: A local artist and local youth were selected from each U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia to design and create 24 ornaments. Twenty-three of the ornaments are hanging from the state and territory trees surrounding the National Christmas Tree in President’s Park. One ornament from all 56 states, territories and the District of Columbia are showcased on the White House Visitor Center Christmas tree.  You can get the inside scoop on all of the 2011 state/territory ornaments here!)

Guest blog post by Michael Faison, Executive Director of Idaho Commission on the Arts

It happens that I was able to be in Washington, DC last week and took the occasion to go see the National Christmas Tree display in President’s Park. It is spectacular and does credit to Idaho and all the other states and territories.

There, behind the White House, the National Christmas Tree sits, surrounded by smaller trees representing all the states and territorial jurisdictions. Notable also is the stage where, when I came by in the evening, children’s groups were doing seasonal song and dance performances – they were pretty amazing performances too. There were loads of visitors- a veritable sea of people moving through the displays.

The 2011 Idaho Christmas Tree in President's Park

It was fun walking from tree to tree, seeing what each state had sent for their display, in a few cases even recognizing the schools or organizations that had sent the ornaments for their state trees. I came across Guam and Pennsylvania and remembered good friends and colleagues I have there, who would have directed their states’ efforts. They and others gave me the warm thought of all those kids from all these places who had sat in classrooms and created these lovely ornaments for their trees, sealed them into globes, and shipped them off to Washington, DC, so that they now glisten on Christmas trees at the White House.

It’s all rather cool if I say so myself.

So, many congratulations to the kids of the Kroc Center and many thanks to the crew at the National Park Foundation for managing what must be overwhelming logistics to make it all happen so splendidly. It’s worth all the effort.

• Give The Gift Of The Parks - Thanks to the generosity of the National Park Foundation board, all year-end gifts (between now and December 31) will be matched up to $75,000! That means your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar. Pretty incredible, right?! And when you make a donation to NPF, we’ll send you a special printable certificate to include in a stocking or under your Christmas Tree.  I also recommend you check out our gift guide to shop for more gifts that give back to our national parks.

• Holidays In The Parks – From Alaska to Georgia, we pulled together an impressive list of not-to-be-missed holiday celebrations for you to enjoy!  Definitely check them out!

• Hooray For The Holidays! – Now listen up, this is the part where we thank YOU and give back to YOU! From December 19 through December 23, you could win the ultimate national park prize pack including a free annual pass to America’s nearly 400 national parks and roundtrip airfare to any national park destination Southwest Airlines can take you to, outstanding outdoor gear, NPF apparel, and more! Join us at today at www.facebook.com/nationalpark and learn more about Hooray for the Holidays!

• Watch The 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting From President’s Park On-Demand! Let us bring the spirit of the season to you with the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree at www.thenationaltree.org or by checking local PBS listings for airdates and times. Promise you won’t be disappointed as you watch President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their family, along with a star-studded list of performers including Big Time Rush and Ellie Goulding, OneRepublic, Rodney Atkins, Marsha Ambrosius, Kermit the Frog and host Carson Daly having a wonderful time together at the 89^th National Christmas Tree Lighting!

In case you missed the big news, we announced the complete talent line up this week! We’ve got Carson Daly, Rodney Atkins,  Big Time Rush, OneRepublic, Ellie Goulding,  Marsha Ambrosius, Kermit the Frog and more! And to top it off, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their family are going to officially light the National Christmas Tree. That’s right, it’s going to be a fantastic show!

In fact, here’s a little teaser to help get you even more pumped up:

If you can’t make it out to D.C. this year, don’t fret too much as you can always watch the LIVE webstream of the ceremony online at www.thenationaltree.org or on your local PBS station. Be sure to check your local listings for broadcast times.

We hope you’ll join us for the National Christmas Tree Lighting whether it’s in person, online or on T.V.!

The map uses little red and yellow presents to note the places Santa has already visited. You can click on the presents to learn fun facts about each location. Watch this video to learn more about NORAD Tracks Santa:

Just days before, we heard about his best friend who was deploying to Iraq, and I remember being thankful that it wasn’t Kevin. He joined the Army right out of high school, and almost two years had passed. I honestly believed that he would make it through his four-year commitment without having to go overseas. As his older sister, I can’t help but be protective of him. Kevin has been gone for almost six months, and I am proud of his courage every single day. I am especially proud today as we honor all those who have served in an effort to protect our country.

My brother, Kevin Lamb.

There are several ways that people can honor those who have served and currently serve in our military. Just one of the powerful ways to show our appreciation is to visit one of the many national parks that honor our veterans. Before working at the National Park Foundation, I probably would not have made the connection between Veterans Day and the national parks, but there are actually several units in the park system that honor our military heroes. Many are right by me in Washington, D.C., but there are many  more all around the country. These parks commemorate those who served from the Revolutionary War, like Valley Forge National Historical Park, through present day with the Flight 93 National Memorial. You can check out an entire list at http://cr.nps.gov/nr/feature/va/#parks.

Kevin in Afghanistan wearing the National Park Foundation hat that I mailed him in a care package.

Take some time to celebrate Veterans Day by visiting a park near you. They are even free! The National Park Service offers several fee-free dates throughout the year, including this weekend, November 11-13, 2011.

To all those military men and women serving our country – past, present, and future - thank you for the sacrifices you make to defend the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. We honor you today and every day.

Similar to the EFT program (which in the past four years alone has engaged more than 400,000 people across the country and around the world!), this new online program combines the use of national parks as engaging classrooms with unique web-based technologies so that teachers have the tools they need to teach the powerful lessons of climate change in a way that students will find fresh, new and interesting!

Parks Climate Challenge offers teachers a platform from which to develop curriculum and engage with other teachers around the country to find out how students best learn first-hand about the issues of climate change through the lens of national parks. The program encourages teachers to develop hands-on service projects with their students through a national park experience either within or outside the boundaries of a national park.  Take a moment to learn more at www.parksclimatechallenge.org!

We think this program model can be replicated nationally. What do you think?

Now how does one go about getting tickets to this must-see holiday event, you might ask.

Starting at 10 a.m. EST/ 7 a.m. PST on Thursday, November 3, you can enter the online lottery system by visiting www.thenationaltree.org. Be sure you enter before 9:59 a.m. EST/6:59 a.m. PST on Monday, November 7 or else you’ll miss out! In fact, I suggest going ahead and bookmarking www.thenationaltree.org and honestly, if I were you, I’d set a calendar reminder.

If you won’t have access to a computer, but will have access to a phone, make sure to save the number 877-444-6777 to place your name into the lottery. The same dates and times apply.

We’ll be announcing the talent line-up next month – so be sure to check back! And not to worry if you can’t make it out to D.C. this year, you can always watch the live webstream of the ceremony online at www.thenationaltree.org or on your local PBS station. Be sure to check your local listings for broadcast times.

And in case you missed last year’s ceremony – watch this video!

EFTs give students from across the country and around the world the chance to learn about national parks and a variety of environmental topics in a fun and interactive way! On Friday, October 21, 2011 the National Park Foundation is broadcasting live from Saguaro National Park and will be focusing on the role biodiversity plays in this unique desert environment.

Saguaro National Park, Photo credit: Debbie Angel

And get this – this time around, the EFT is extra special as it coincides with the National Geographic Society-National Park Service fifth annual BioBlitz. At this year’s BioBlitz, more than 150 leading scientists and naturalists from around the country, thousands of local citizens of all ages, and more than 2,000 students from the greater Tucson area will be coming together for this scientific endeavor/festival/outdoor classroom! Sounds like a good time, right? We definitely think so!

The EFT will include two, live, hour-long broadcasts (1pm ET and 4pm ET) which can be viewed online at www.electronicfieldtrip.org and on participating public television stations.  Register here today and help us spread the word!

P.S. We’ve even pulled together some lesson plans and interactive games to accompany the EFT – check them out at www.electronicfieldtrip.org/saguaro!

Rocky Mountain National Park, Photo credit: Justin Hess

Here’s a glimpse at the 2011 list:

CALIFORNIA
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Peak colors expected middle to end of October. On October 18, a hiking event to Whiskeytown Falls offer a perfect way to view the foliage during the peak season.

MISSISSIPPI
Natchez Trace Parkway
In middle to late October, the maple, hickory, oak and other hardwood trees begin to change colors.

PENNSYLVANIA
Flight 93 National Memorial
The trees across the Flight 93 National Memorial begin to turn around mid-October.   Check out honorflight93.org/webcam today to find instant inspiration for a trip to the site or to take a virtual fall foliage tour.
To see the full list visit “NPF REVEALS GREAT NATIONAL PARKS FOR FALL FOLIAGE VIEWING”.

Also, I definitely encourage all you foliage seekers to contact specific parks for the inside scoop on their unique foliage timing, as many factors impact the timing of peak fall colors viewing.  Visit the National Park Service website for contact information and special event listings for all 395 national park units.

P.S. Don’t forget to share your fall foliage photos with us at www.facebook.com/nationalpark!

Thousands of people gathered on the Ellipse in President’s Park in Washington, D.C. for Worldwide Day of Play 2011.

No matter the time of year, America’s national parks offer endless activities to get the family out of the house and enjoying the outdoors together!  Here are a handful of fun-packed national park adventures for kids and families (you can read the entire list of 10 adventures at “10 WAYS FOR KIDS TO PLAY IN AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS”):

FLORIDA
Biscayne National Park
Families visiting Biscayne between December and April can sign up to attend “Family Fun Fest” – a daylong program held on the second Sunday of those months and focused on activities tied to the park’s diverse resources.

MICHIGAN
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Winter isn’t the off-season here, as there are trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. And if there’s enough snow, kids and adults can even sled down the 100+ ft. Dune Climb.

WYOMING
Grand Teton National Park
Teens looking for a challenge can measure themselves against the Tetons, thanks to climbing schools where world-class guides will teach them the basics and lead them to the summit of 13,770-foot Grand Teton.

Want to learn about more great national park adventures for kids and families? If so, definitely check out National Park Foundation’s special guide, “Parks for Play: 35 National Park Adventures for Kids of All Ages.”

Photo credit: Raphael Mazzucco

We are so honored to have her join us and our partners as we dedicate this important memorial. You’ll be able to watch her performance and the rest of the dedication ceremony LIVE at www.flight93dedication.org and at history.com/flight93 thanks to a partnership between National Park Foundation and HISTORY.

Are you wondering who else will be speaking and performing at the Flight 93 National Memorial dedication and 10th anniversary commemorative ceremony? We will be announcing more dignitaries and special guests in the coming week and we will be sure to keep you posted.

In the meantime, be sure to visit www.honorflight93.org to learn more about the Flight 93 National Memorial and how you can help build a lasting tribute to the 40 heroes onboard Flight 93.

In an effort to help national park enthusiasts like yourself plan the perfect escape to this park, we gathered up questions from our social media community (on Facebook and Twitter) in addition to a few questions from our very own NPF staff and posed them to Ranger Dan Winings at Rock Creek Park.

Questions about best places to camp, best places to horseback, can’t-miss activities and much more are answered in this edition of Trail Talk! Be sure to catch up on the latest Trail Talk for the inside scoop on Rock Creek Park! Click here to read it today!

NPF employee David talks to event participants about America’s greatest treasure, our national parks. Photo credit: Kate Lacey Photography

We met people of all ages from all over the country and around the world, handing out hundreds of National Park Service maps, “I ♥ Parks” pins, NPF brochures, and much more. And get this - four lucky people who came by and chatted with us won a NPF prize pack consisting of an annual parks pass, National Parks Yahtzee and some awesome NPF gear including a NPF t-shirt, hat, water bottle, and Fodor’s Official Guide to America’s National Parks. Congrats again to our winners Giovanni, Silas, Scott and Arina!

The Skyriders, a professional team of acrobats whose routines include skis, snowboards and ball tossing, all the while jumping and performing tricks on the trampoline provided excellent entertainment throughout the day. If you haven’t seen them before, you should definitely check them out here.

The Skyriders at Adventures NYC 2011. Photo credit: Kate Lacey Photography

Overall, we had a really wonderful time meeting people who all share a common love for the outdoors and our nation’s parks. The event was a great opportunity to answer questions, help plan trips, and instill excitement for the places that preserve our country’s natural beauty and the stories of our nation’s history.

P.S. Check out more Adventures NYC photos from Kate Lacey here.

In just a few days in Yosemite National Park this spring, I discovered a little about an iconic America landscape and even more about myself. Backpacking does that for me. While it couldn’t be more different than daily life, backpacking nevertheless teaches me how better to live day by day. Here are 10 life lessons I learned while backpacking in Yosemite.

1. You can’t control the weather. I made backcountry reservations more than six months in advance, as the guidebooks suggested. Yes, reserving a spot reached by Glacier Point Road in early June was a bit of a gamble. Sure enough, when we got to the park there was still five feet of snow over our originally chosen trail and Glacier Point Road remained closed. No worries. The backcountry office found a new trail for us, and we were on a revised path without a glitch, our packs ready with rain, snow, and sun gear, knowing each type of weather is as likely as the other in Yosemite.

2. Don’t carry more than you need. And need is a matter of perspective, changing depending on your circumstances. What you think you may need at home means nothing in the wilderness, and things I take for granted on a normal day mean everything out there, like water, food, warmth, energy, and a deep breath.

3. Go beyond the crowds. One of the best moments while backpacking in a national park is crossing that threshold between the well-traveled path and less-traveled trail. Crowds clear out almost instantly. Vernal Falls offered an amazing view, but the path was packed. Journeying beyond this popular spot, we had more breathing room. Ironically, the fewer the people, the more opportunity there is for conversation. When backpackers converge on the trail, they’re happy for the opportunity to stop and chat a bit about what’s ahead. It’s as much about information as it is about an excuse to rest.

4. Look up. Enjoy the view. In the midst of a steep climb, it’s sometimes easier to focus straight ahead at the path before you, but that misses the point in Yosemite, where some of the grandest images of American wilderness hang all around you, not like paintings in a museum but for real—as real as it gets.

Setting up camp below Moraine Dome, near Bunnell Cascade, in the Yosemite National Park wilderness. Photo Credit: Derek R. Trimble

5. Explore home. (Your temporary home on the trail, that is.) Make camp early enough to discover the uniqueness of the place you’ve chosen to be your home for the night. We camped at Moraine Dome near Bunnell Cascade. The Cascade stretches across a rock platform in the middle of the Merced River, its origin visible hundreds of feet above in the snowmelt off Bunnell Point, one of Yosemite’s granite peaks. Near our campsite, moss-covered rock illuminated soggy vernal streams. Patches of snow clung to shaded stones. On Moraine Dome above, a whole mini habitat grew from the rock face, pines holding onto the rock for dear life. The larger lesson? Explore your own permanent home, wherever it may be, after your trip. There is much to discover, everywhere.

6. Choose your friends wisely. It helps to hike with people who know what they’re talking about. I’m lucky to have friends who are very qualified to answers all my questions about flora and fauna. Jeremy works for the National Park Service at Lassen Volcanic NP, and Becky works for the National Forest Service. They both taught me little bits of knowledge I would otherwise only have gotten with several guidebooks. Since I don’t actually have to carry my friends on my back, I think they’re a much better option. One of their lessons: How do you tell the difference between Ponderosa and Jeffrey pine? Smell the bark. Really dig your nose in. If you smell vanilla, you’ve just hugged Jeffrey. (For those who aren’t lucky enough to personally know someone who works for the NPS, remember that all NPS staffers are your friends, and check out the interpretation that each national park offers.)

7. Look down. All kinds of cool organisms populate the ground, especially as the snow melts and seasons change. Along the wooded, shaded trail through Little Yosemite Valley, I spotted Snow Plant (Sarcodes sanguinea). The bright, chili-red flowers pop up from the snow, one of the first blooms of spring. Becky informed me that this plant contains no chlorophyll and feeds off fungi in the soil. The plants may reach a few feet tall. For me, these red cones poking through the snow were a talisman, a parasitic jewel predicting the coming of spring in Yosemite.

8. There’s no use in complaining. My feet hurt. Everyone’s feet hurt. It won’t help to talk about it.

9. Celebrate little victories. After a tough climb toward Nevada Falls (though not there yet), Jeremy says, “We made it.” “Made it where?” Becky asks. “Here,” he explains. Each switchback is a victory, no matter the path. Reward yourself.

10. Unplug. By the second day in Yosemite, I didn’t know what day it was. I didn’t think about work or e-mail. Even though I carried my cell phone, I used it only to take pictures. It’s a good feeling, forgetting what day it is, even what time it is. I think I’ll try it more often.

Here are 10 of the National Park Foundation’s recommendations for celebrating America’s 235th year:

COLORADO – Colorado National Monument – Come on out on July 4 and watch in amazement as rock climbers scale the Independence Monument and commemorate Independence Day by raising the American flag on the top of the monument, the tallest free-standing rock formation in the park. Enjoy patriotic music resonating throughout the canyons. Ice cream social to follow. Event starts at 10:30a.m.MT.

KENTUCKY – Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park – Gather round to hear Saxton’s Cornet Band in the park on July 4 at 11:00a.m.ET.

MARYLAND – Antietam National Battlefield – Treat yourself to the beautiful sounds of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s “Salute to Independence” concert on July 2. Concert starts at 7:30p.m.ET. Fireworks at approximately 9:45p.m.ET.

MASSACHUSETTS – Adams National Historical Park –Get the inside scoop on the political climate 235 years ago! Come on down to Adams National Historical Park for “Down and Dirty Politics: 1776 Style” to learn how a strange, secret alliance of upscale gentlemen and rowdy street organizers bought about the Declaration of Independence. 1:00p.m. – 2:30p.m.ET. Beale House Lawn, located at 181 Adams Street. Street parking is available.

MISSOURI – Ozark National Scenic Riverways –The “Alley Independence Day Celebration” will be held on July 2 at Alley Spring. This event commemorates the traditional “picnic” celebrations held at Alley Spring across the turn of the twentieth century, when Alley was the social center for families in the surrounding area. Activities will include musical entertainment, old fashioned games and contests, and demonstrations of traditional Ozark skills.

NEW YORK – St. Paul’s Church – Enjoy a traditional July 4th celebration featuring music, speeches, refreshments, reading of the Declaration of Independence, and tolling of the historic St. Paul’s church bell – 13 times. Event starts at 10:30a.m.ET.

PENNSYLVANIA – Valley Forge National Historical Park – Join Park Rangers for a living history demonstration at the Muhlenberg Brigade huts on July 4. Enjoy children`s craft activities and a traditional Fourth of July barbecue at the Visitor Center. 11:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.ET.

SOUTH CAROLINA – Cowpens National Battlefield – Fireworks and family fun! Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:00p.m.ET on July 2, two days before Independence Day. Music will be provided by the Spartanburg Community Band.

VIRGINIA – George Washington Birthplace – Celebrate the 235th birthday of the United States with hands-on, colonial-themed children’s activities and costumed interpretation! 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.ET.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Mall and Memorial Parks – America’s biggest birthday party is taking place on July 4 on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Not only will the event feature incredible performances by some of the country’s best-known personalities and musicians, but it will also boast the most spectacular fireworks display. Event starts at 8:00p.m.ET (gates open to the public at 3:00p.m.ET).

Many more exciting events have been planned across the country and can be found on the National Park Service website.

Just last week, 80 fourth grade students from Robert Moton Elementary School in Westminster, Maryland celebrated their winning garden design with a special prize trip, arranged by the National Park Foundation, to visit a handful of national parks in our nation’s capital. These students have been working with Catoctin Mountain Park since the beginning of the school year to design a garden full of native plant species . You can check out their winning design here.

Ranger Patrick talking to Robert Moton Elementary School students about Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Island

The group began the day at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Island where Ranger Patrick and Ranger Emily led the students on a short trail walk. Surrounded by leafy, green foliage and the sounds of nature, students learned about Roosevelt’s role in the conservation movement and the history of the island. The group then headed to the Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, where they heard the story about how their school’s namesake, Dr. Robert Moton, gave the keynote address at the dedication ceremony of the Lincoln Memorial in 1922. The students were in awe of this fact. The visit ended with a brief stop to view the impressive Washington Monument before heading back to school. Overall, their day in D.C. was a great way to build off of their experience with Catoctin Mountain Park and help nurture a lasting, more meaningful relationship with their national parks.

WBAL TV in Baltimore, MD ran a segment on the students and their winning design. You can watch “Students Win National Contest By Building Garden” here. Read what Baltimore Sun’s Susan Reimer has to say about the project in her post “Students team with Catoctin Mountain Park for award-winning design” on her blog “Garden Variety”. And if you still have time, definitely take a look at Carroll County Times reporter Carrie Ann Knauer’s “Robert Moton fourth-graders win national contest for garden” and Westminster Patch blogger Kym Byrnes’ “Robert Moton Students Shine with Winning Garden Design”.

You can help support National Park Foundation programs like First Bloom by visiting nationalparks.org.

Like most parents, I want my son to lead a happy, active, healthy life, enjoying the outdoors as often as possible. I want him to breathe fresh, clean air. I want him to explore nature first-hand. I want him to have access to our national parks and I want him to have opportunities to learn and experience history in the places and sites where it actually occurred. I was fortunate enough to have these opportunities and I want the same and more for my son.

So, on my very first Mother’s Day, I am asking all of you to join me by supporting and protecting our national parks. This is a gift we can give our children, ourselves and all posterity and, thanks to Macy’s and the National Park Foundation, there is an easy way to do it.

Now through Mother’s Day, we can send free, personalized Facebook messages to our loved ones in honor of Mother’s Day 2011 and support the National Park Foundation at the same time! For every message that is sent where the sender selects the National Park Foundation as the charity of choice, Macy’s will donate five dollars, up to a total of $400,000 in the recipient’s honor to the National Park Foundation. Visit http://prks.org/parkmom to send a message right now! It’s an incredible opportunity to both honor our moms and all those special to us while simultaneously supporting the parks. I hope you’ll join me!

National Park Week runs until Sunday, April 24, so you have several more days to take advantage of these fee free days. And if you take some impressive photos and shoot some great video clips during your visit to your parks, please do share them with us online http://www.facebook.com/nationalpark. We’d love to hear about your experiences and see the beautiful landscapes that you enjoyed on your recent adventures.

Also – have you heard that we’re giving away daily prizes including park passes, outdoor gear, and a trip to Shenandoah National Park? True story! As part of our “I Heart Parks” promotion running until April 22, you have the opportunity to win some of these great prizes! Make sure to visit http://www.facebook.com/nationalpark for more information.

And if you haven’t already checked out the list of events taking place this week to celebrate National Park Week, definitely take a peak here www.nationalparkweek.org. Just some of the FREE activities taking place this week across the nation include:

• Fort Donelson National Battlefield (Tennessee)
Tuesday, April 19
9:00am-4:00pmET
The Stewart County Visitor Center, in partnership with Fort Donelson National Battlefield and the Tennessee State Museum, is pleased to host a traveling exhibit highlighting the story of cavalry in Civil War Tennessee. Photographs, artifacts and stories explain the unique role of mounted warfare in Tennessee during the American Civil War. The Stewart County Visitor Center is located almost across the street from the Fort Donelson National Battlefield visitor center, on HWY 79, in Dover. Call (931) 305-4447 for more information.

• Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve (Louisiana)
Wednesday, April 20
9:30am – 10:30amCT
Take an hour-long stroll along the Mississippi River levee for an overview of New Orleans history. 25 free tickets are distributed at 9:00 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at the French Quarter Visitor Center, 419 Decatur Street, New Orleans.

• Muir Woods National Monument (California)
Thursday, April 21 (John Muir’s birthday)
8:00amPT
Start the morning off with a quiet walk through what John Muir called “the best tree-lover’s monument in all the forests of the world.”

• Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)
Friday, April 22 (Earth Day)
9:00am-12:00pmET
Celebrate Earth Day with a 5-mile hike on Ledges area trails and learn how organizations and individuals worked together to plant seeds of conservation in the Cuyahoga Valley.

• Jewel Cave National Monument (South Dakota)
Saturday, April 23 (Junior Ranger Day)
9:00amMT
Young visitors and their families are invited to take a guided hike on the one-quarter mile Roof Trail and learn about the second longest cave in the world.

• Biscayne National Park (Florida)
Sunday, April 24
9:00am- 12:00pmET
Explore Biscayne National Park’s mangrove shoreline on a leisurely paddle to learn about mangroves, manatees, fish and more.