National Park Service to Host “Voices of Our Youth at 250” Virtual Event Celebrating Youth Engagement in National Parks

Date: August 20, 2026
Contact:National Park Service Youth & Young Adult Programs

WASHINGTON - The National Park Service, together with the National Park Foundation and The Corps Network, will host Voices of Our Youth at 250: Journeys & Park Connections for Future Generations, a free public virtual event on August 27 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The program highlights young people who have served through conservation corps, internships, volunteer programs, and other youth engagement initiatives, sharing how their experiences connect them personally to national parks.

"As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, we reflect on the legacy we are leaving and looking to the next generation of stewards of America's national parks," said Jessica Bowron, National Park Service Comptroller Exercising the Authority of the Director. "Through our Youth and Young Adult Programs office, young people are already stepping forward as leaders, stewards, and innovators within our parks and their service shows that protecting these special places is a responsibility, and an opportunity, that spans generations."

Held during National Park Week and aligned with the National Park Service's 110th birthday and 250th anniversary of the United States, the 90-minute event will feature opening remarks, a moderated panel discussion, and audience Q&A. Panelists will discuss their pathways into conservation, what inspires their service, and the critical role youth and young adults play in stewarding public lands for future generations.

The event is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the NPS Youth and Young Adult Programs Facebook page. Live captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, August 27
Time: 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Platform: National Park Foundation Zoom and Facebook livestream
Learn more: https://go.nps.gov/YouthVoices250

The National Park Service Youth & Young Adult Programs Division works with partners across the country to expand pathways for youth and young adults to engage with public lands. The National Park Foundation and The Corps Network support a wide range of programs that help young people serve, learn, and develop skills while contributing to the stewardship of national parks.

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