Last Full Measure of Devotion

This Monday is Memorial Day, a national holiday to honor and remember those who have died serving in America's armed forces.

To most, national parks protect some of America's most iconic wildlife and scenery. Yet, the National Park System also protects and honors the legacy of some of America's hallowed battlefields and bravest soldiers, including Minute Man NHP, Gettysburg NMP, and the World War II Memorial.

To mark the day, the National Park Service holding several events. While we can never fully thank those that as President Lincoln stated "gave the last full measure of devotion," we can at the very least never forget their sacrifice.



Last Full Measure

Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers

Happy Endangered Species Day

Today is Endangered Species Day, a time to learn about the countless endangered species that share our planet. It's also an opportunity to recognize those like the National Park Service who work to protect some of our most precious plants and animals.

In honor of our nation's endangered species, I created the following limited edition print which illustrates the Grizzly Bear, one of America's most iconic animals.  Enjoy!

Check out a previous edition of the National Park Talk podcast for more information on Yellowstone Grizzly bears and what you can do to help insure their future.

 

Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers

National Park Centennial Limited Edition Posters

Many of the first national parks were established to protect unique wildlife from illegal hunts and poaching. Congress establish parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite to protect species like the bison, grizzly bear, wolf, and mountain lion. Other parks protect species such as the fisher and the Nene found nowhere else on the planet.

The next edition of the National Park Centennial Limited Edition posters honors the National Park Service's efforts in wildlife conservation.

 

Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers

National Park Centennial Limited Edition Posters

The National Park Service and System are celebrating their 100th birthday this year. Parks across the country are marking the anniversary in different ways. A list of those celebrations and activities can be found here.

National Park Thrillers is also celebrating the start of the park system's next hundred years with limited edition commemorative posters. The first called "Defending America's Best Idea" honors real American heroes, the park rangers who everyday preserve and protect our national heritage. 

Drawn in the style of the Depression era works progress administration "See America First" park posters, these posters will highlight each month a different aspect of national parks and the values their protect.

Look for the next poster the end of May.

 

Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers