Although our national parks comprise less than 5 percent of America’s public lands, they are the crown jewels of a nation without royalty, one of America’s greatest assets. Together, they weave a tapestry across the nation that showcases our landscape’s splendor, honors our heroes and preserves our history.
Unfortunately, our parks are confronted by many of the same threats they faced years ago, as profiled in the film. Chronic funding shortfalls, air pollution and inappropriate development are taking their toll. Budget and staffing shortfalls at the Blue Ridge Parkway impact the Park Service’s ability to maintain cultural sites and ensure maintenance of roads. At Great Smoky Mountains National Park, additional funding is needed to maintain hiking trails, historic sites and educational programs.