The First Family is heading Carlsbad Caverns and Yosemite National parks next week to commemorate the national park system’s 100th anniversary, and to celebrate the high school graduation of President Obama’s eldest daughter, Malia, who crosses the stage of Washington’s prestigious Sidwell Friends on Friday.
The Obamas first head to New Mexico next Friday before traveling on to Yosemite in central California, the White House announced in a Facebook video on Thursday.
Obama has made protecting national treasures, natural resources, federal lands and American waterways a priority of his domestic agenda.
He has designated more than 265 million acres as federally protected land since taking office, more than any other president, according to the White House.
“These acres include new national monuments to make sure that our national parks and historic sites are reflective of all Americans, including protecting: sacred Native American sites, Cesar Chavez’s burial ground, the Charles Young House, the Pullman Historic District, the Honouliuli Internment Camp site and the Harriet Tubman National Monument,” a White House official stated.
Obama “has also helped ensure that all Americans have greater opportunities to experience our nation’s unparalleled national parks, monuments, forests and other public lands,” the official continued, noting a program Obama launched last year to grant the country’s fourth graders free access to national parks and public areas.
The National Park Service’s actual centennial is Aug. 25. It oversees the country’s 407 national parks.
