Inspired by the forthcoming Ken Burns documentary The National Parks: America's Best Idea, the National Park
Foundation (NPF) has established a new grant program to connect underserved audiences, primarily people of color, to the national parks. NPF, in
partnership with the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, has awarded "America's Best Idea Grants" totaling $500,000, to 35 national parks across the country
to develop outreach strategies and engagement programs for people who are traditionally underrepresented in their local national parks.  

"The point of America's Best Idea - both the documentary and the grants program - is that the country is strengthened by the deep and lasting bond
between people and their parks," said Neil Mulholland, president of the National Park Foundation. "Ken Burns has captured the amazing personal
stories of men and women from all walks of life who helped form the parks because of their love for the natural and historical treasures they hold. We
want to be sure to continue capturing those stories and building that legacy among audiences as diverse as the parks themselves."

"Universal access to the parks and engagement of diverse and underserved populations are important goals in the evolution of our national parks," said
Ira Hirschfield, President of the Haas, Jr. Fund. "It is our great hope that America's Best Idea will provide people in cities and towns across the country
the chance to find meaning and inspiration in the story of the parks, and a chance to make these cherished places their own."

The parks receiving grants range in location and size from Salem Maritime National Historic Park in Massachusetts, to Denali National Park in Alaska, to
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, and beyond.