Grijalva, Hastings Lead Letter with 34 Democrats Urging NPS to Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

Washington, D.C. – House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Fla.) sent a letter today urging the National Park Service (NPS) to focus on diversity and inclusion as they prepare for NPS’s 100^th anniversary celebration. The letter comes as we commemorate National Park Week (April 16-24, 2016), the nationwide celebration of our national parks, to remind NPS Director Jon Jarvis that our park system needs to better reflect our country’s growing diversity.

The letter, co-signed by 34 House Democrats, reads in part:

“Our national parks, monuments, lands and waters belong to all Americans. Every person – regardless of who they are or where they live – should be able to experience and enjoy the natural, cultural and historic wonders of our public lands. Under your leadership, the National Park Service (NPS) has taken important steps to ensure our national park system better reflects our country’s growing diversity, however more work remains to be done. As we prepare to celebrate the centennial of the NPS this year, we have a unique opportunity to build a national park system that better reflects the diversity of America’s history, people, and cultures.”

According to a recent Center for American Progress analysis, of the more than 400 national parks and monuments in the NPS system, only about one-quarter have a primary focus on women, communities of color, or other traditionally underrepresented groups.

The full letter is available at, http://1.usa.gov/1pc1K9O. 

Press Contact

Media Contact: Diane Padilla

(202) 225-6065 or (202) 226-3522

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