National Park Foundation Launches New Program to Connect Military Members, Veterans, and Their Families to National Parks

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Pilot will support staffing and scalable programming to expand meaningful national park experiences for the military community WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In…

Pilot will support staffing and scalable programming to expand meaningful national park experiences for the military community

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Veterans Day, the National Park Foundation (NPF) introduced a new program to connect service members, veterans, military families, and Gold Star families with national parks. Through the program, NPF will support parks, park partners, and community-based organizations that expand opportunities for the military and veteran community to recreate, learn, work in, and experience national parks.

The program's pilot includes two primary components aimed at increasing meaningful national park experiences for the military community. First, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), 10 staff will be hired, including one role at NPS' Washington Support Office (WASO) and nine seasonal rangers at parks near military bases, including:

Hiring will prioritize candidates from the military community, including veterans and military spouses, and the positions will support this new effort and strengthen NPS' existing Military Families Outdoors program by engaging military, veterans, and their families; strengthening relationships with nearby military installations; and building connections with local support organizations.

The second component of the pilot is a $450,000 investment in structured, welcoming, and scalable recreational and educational park experiences for the military community to be delivered in partnership with the National Park Trust. Programming will emphasize introductory outdoor recreation to build confidence, belonging, and connection in national parks.

NPF funding will also reduce barriers to access, including cost, familiarity, transportation, adaptive equipment, and logistics.

"National parks offer powerful places for reflection, connection, and renewal," said NPF Chief Program Officer Mike Reynolds.

NPF's inaugural military and veteran engagement program builds on previous…

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