Democratic congressional candidate Regina Bateson speaks with local resident Paige Stauss outside a public library in Granite Bay, Calif., following a campaign event. Aarti Shahani/NPR hide caption Democratic congressional candidate Regina Bateson speaks with local resident Paige Stauss outside a public library in Granite Bay, Calif., following a campaign event.
In describing the beauty of the park, Mr. Obama said, "It's almost like the spirit of America itself is right here." The president took the opportunity to note the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service and the #FindYourPark campaign, efforts to get more kids to visit national parks, his administration's protection of more than 265 million acres of land and marine areas, and continued preservation needs amid the impacts of climate change.
President Barack Obama wants more people to appreciate and visit America's national parks as the park system nears its 100th birthday in August. Obama and his family spent the night at Yosemite National Park in California after touring an underground cave on Friday at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico.
Update at 9:45 a. m.: The stage is set for President Barack Obama to address the media in Yosemite National Park.
After an emotionally trying week, President Barack Obama is heading west to celebrate the raw beauty of America's national parks as the system nears its 100th birthday, and highlight challenges over the next 100 years, including climate change and a shortage of money from Congress. Obama was taking his wife and daughters on a Father's Day weekend getaway to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico and Yosemite National Park in California.
President Barack Obama's upcoming trip to Yosemite National Park occurs amid both pomp and peril for the National Park Service. Even as Yosemite officials ready themselves, and the park service celebrates its centennial, lawmakers and Interior Department investigators are criticizing what a House panel on Tuesday termed "misconduct and unethical behavior," including allegations of serial sexual harassment.