The National Park Service has begun a new social media campaign with the hope of getting people back to nature in preparation of National Park Week. The goal is to encourage people in Utah and around the nation to visit and enjoy the more than four-hundred national parks.
Aly Baltrus, chief of visitor services at Zion National Park, said National Park Week is encouraging Americans to discover and rediscover national parks. She said the recently launched online search tool, findyourpark.com, is meant to reach younger people and those who may not know much about national parks.
"Because they are our next generation of park rangers, of folks that will champion these places, and the protection of them,” Baltrus said.
The site allows users to input a zip code or park name to search for national parks. Baltrus said it's also part of a growing promotional campaign in advance of the National Park Service's centennial celebration next year.
As part of the effort to connect with younger Americans, Baltrus said findyourpark.com also has a social media element that allows people to share their stories.
"They can get online, they can tell their story and send their little video, and they're kind of putting these all together, and sharing them outward,” Baltrus said.
Baltrus went on to say the website is also helpful for people who may be new to an area, by helping them learn more about the national parks within that region.