National Park Service's 100 Year Birthday is in 2016. August 25, 2016 is the 100th Birthday of the National Park Service. Starting with Yellowstone in 1872 there are over 400 units in the National Park Service today.

How Old is the System? The National Park Service was created by an Act of Congress and signed by President Woodrow Wilson on August 25, 1916. Yellowstone National Park was established by an Act signed by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, as the Nation's first national park.

The Mission of the National Park Service: The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The National Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

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How Many Areas are in the National Park System? The National Park System comprises 401 areas called "units" covering more than 84 million acres. These units include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House.

Who Are the People of the National Park Service? The National Park Service employs approximately 20,000 diverse professionals – permanent, temporary, and seasonal. They are assisted by nearly 140,000 Volunteers-In-Parks (VIPs) who donate over 5 million hours each year.

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