Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff today announced the addition of 16 new sites to the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. The announcement marks the end of National Park Week this year.
Highlights from the 2021 park celebration included “ParkRx Day,” which encouraged visitors to seek recreation and restoration in the outdoors; “Military Monday” to honor veterans and servicemembers and recognize the healing they are increasingly seeking out on public lands; and “National Junior Ranger Day” encouraging children and youth to explore the wonders of nature through national parks.
In response to the announcement Sierra Club Outdoors for All campaign director Jackie Ostfeld released the following statement:
“Sierra Club welcomes the additions of these important Underground Railroad sites to the national park system. With each addition public lands and cultural sites tell a more complete story of our country. A full reflection of history is vital to building an outdoors that is truly for all today.
“We look forward to continued progress in making the outdoors accessible, safe, and welcoming so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of nature.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.