(MTN News-MISSOULA) The National Park Service Centennial will celebrate the achievements of the past 100 years, but it is really about the future — it’s about kicking off the second century of stewardship for America’s national parks and communities across the nation.
Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park continue to break visitor records, with people from all over the world coming to Montana to explore the vast beauty and wildlife.
Senator Steve Daines says for the National Parks Service to succeed in the future, we must invest in infrastructure to allow visitors to enjoy Glacier and Yellowstone for another 100 years.
“I think one of the challenges we face is infrastructure. You drive through our national parks, our roads are crumbling, parking is inadequate. We need to continue to invest because this is something we can preserve and protect truly for our kids, grandkids and future generations,” Daines said during a live interview on Thursday’s edition of Montana This Morning.
Senator Daines will participate in the famed Glacier National Park “Instameet” to celebrate their centennial. The event will bring together park visitors to connect, explore, and celebrate creativity with a camera, make new friends, exchange ideas and celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service.
The event beings at 6 p.m. on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Apgar Village, across from the Apgar Village Inn.
Here’s what’s happening at Glacier National Park on Thursday:
National Park Centennial Instameet
Glacier National Park, partnering with the Glacier National Park Conservancy, the Department of the Interior, and Visit Montana, as well as special guest photographers, are hosting an Instameet on August 25 from 6 p.m. to sunset in the Apgar Village Green near the Apgar Village Inn. Visitors are encouraged to come together to connect, explore, and celebrate creativity with a camera, make new friends, exchange ideas, and celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service (NPS). All ages, levels of experience and types of cameras are welcome. Around 6:15 p.m. the host of the Instameet will say a few words in regards to the National Park Service centennial. The official Glacier National Park Service centennial visitor photograph will be taken around 7:00 p.m. Visitors will have a chance to sign the photo matte and be a part of NPS history. The photograph will be posted on our social media sites, printed and hung in the park, as well as copy presented to the director of the National Park Service. It is anticipated that attendance will be high; visitors are encouraged to park at the Apgar Visitor Center and take the bike path to the event.