Nation Park System

The “National Park” idea or concept is generally credited to one man, George Catlin (1796-1872) who traveled expansively among the native people in America through out his lifetime. In 1832, George traveled through the Dakotas worrying about the safeguarding of America’s westward expansion, wildlife, and the wilderness. In doing so, he wrote, “by some great protecting policy of government…in a magnificent park…a nation’s park, containing man and beast, in all the wild and freshness of their nature’s beauty!” (1) Years later in 1864, Congress donated Yosemite Valley to California for the preservation as a state park. Eight years later, in 1872, Congress reserved the spectacular Yellowstone country (Yellowstone National Park) in the Wyoming and Montana territories “as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” It wasn’t really until August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Organic Act” creating the Nation...