National Park Foundation Key Partnership
Union Pacific's history with the national parks started with creating iconic western parks like Yellowstone, Zion, Grand Canyon and Death Valley, when the railroad provided access to pristine landscapes that were otherwise virtually impossible to visit. Union Pacific today announced a new commitment to help preserve our nation's most unique and inspiring spaces with its multi-year, $3 million partnership with the National Park Foundation for the Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque movement.
"Union Pacific transported early parkgoers to adventures out west," said Scott Moore, Union Pacific senior vice president of Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. "Today, we deliver the goods Americans use every day to our nation's busiest cities and quietest towns, passing through rugged, beautiful landscapes. We traverse America's backyard, and we want the next generation to explore it."
Through its partnership with the National Park Foundation, Union Pacific will build on its legacy, encouraging young adventurers to explore America's national parks. Union Pacific's partnership supports the National Park Foundation's Open OutDoors for Kids program, which connects kids to parks. The railroad's support will provide national park experiences for thousands of students across the 23 states where Union Pacific operates. National park field trips encourage students to develop a sense of adventure while educating youth about science, history, conservation, and their role in protecting national and local treasures.
"If given the choice between reading about Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, or seeing the geyser and taking a breath of fresh, mountain air, there's no comparison," Moore said. "We want this partnership to cultivate lifelong connections between people and parks."
"Union Pacific's support enables kids across the country to explore their local national parks," said Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation. "These national park experiences are unforgettable and instill a desire to discover more."
Union Pacific encourages all generations, especially the younger generation and their families to visit www.findyourpark.com to explore what national parks and activities are in their own backyard.
Over the coming months, Union Pacific will highlight these beautiful landscapes, historic sites and cultural resources in a number of ways. Details will be published at www.up.com/ExploreAmericasBackyard and on the company's social media channels using #ExploreAmericasBackyard, #FindYourPark and #EncuentraTuParque.