National Park Foundation Launches New Program to Connect Military Members, Veterans, and Their Families to National Parks

Pilot will support staffing and scalable programming to expand meaningful national park experiences for the military community

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Veterans Day, the National Park Foundation (NPF) introduced a new program to connect service members, veterans, military families, and Gold Star families with national parks. Through the program, NPF will support parks, park partners, and community-based organizations that expand opportunities for the military and veteran community to recreate, learn, work in, and experience national parks.

The program's pilot includes two primary components aimed at increasing meaningful national park experiences for the military community. First, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), 10 staff will be hired, including one role at NPS' Washington Support Office (WASO) and nine seasonal rangers at parks near military bases, including:

• Canaveral National Seashore (Florida)
• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (Florida)
• Fort Monroe National Monument (Virginia)
• Moores Creek National Battlefield (North Carolina)
• National Capital Parks-East (District of Columbia and Maryland)
• Olympic National Park (Washington)
• Petroglyph National Monument (New Mexico)
• Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
• San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Texas)

Hiring will prioritize candidates from the military community, including veterans and military spouses, and the positions will support this new effort and strengthen NPS' existing Military Families Outdoors program by engaging military, veterans, and their families; strengthening relationships with nearby military installations; and building connections with local support organizations.

The second component of the pilot is a $450,000 investment in structured, welcoming, and scalable recreational and educational park experiences for the military community to be delivered in partnership with the National Park Trust. Programming will emphasize introductory outdoor recreation to build confidence, belonging, and connection in national parks.

NPF funding will also reduce barriers to access, including cost, familiarity, transportation, adaptive equipment, and logistics.

"National parks offer powerful places for reflection, connection, and renewal," said NPF Chief Program Officer Mike Reynolds. "Through this new program, the National Park Foundation will help more members of the military community and their families experience and find joy, community, and belonging in the landscapes and stories of our national parks."

NPF's inaugural military and veteran engagement program builds on previous grants awarded to specific projects, like veteran-led service at Saguaro National Park, fishing clinics for military families in Jacksonville, Florida, and engaging military-connected youth in citizen science at Manassas National Battlefield Park, but marks the beginning of a focused commitment to serve this audience.

Insights from the pilot will inform future investments and expand the program's reach across the country.

NPF's veteran and military engagement programming is made possible with the support of generous donors and partners, including Nature Valley.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation is the nation's most trusted way for people to support America's national parks. We work with the National Park Service and partners across the country to fund priority projects that keep parks strong, relevant, and accessible. This work helps ensure parks continue to inspire pride across the country and offer experiences that create meaningful connection. In 2025, NPF funded $100 million in on-the-ground priority projects nationwide, made possible through the generosity of donors, to advance critical work, including infrastructure, restoration, education, and access, ensuring parks continue to endure for generations to come. Learn more at nationalparks.org and follow NPF on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

SOURCE National Park Foundation