The concept of national parks is as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence. The idea that very special places in the nation should be preserved, not for the privileged, but for everyone was unheard of in 1872 when Yellowstone became the first national park in the world.

Today, the National Park System includes 391 units made up of 58 national parks, plus 333 national monuments and historic sites. There are National Park units in 49 of the 50 states.

The National Park System in its 138 years has evolved largely without the benefit of an overall plan or vision. Political, social, and economic interests have been responsible for the establishment of most of the system. Over time the system has come to represent not only scenic wonders and wilderness preservation but also such diverse concepts as historic preservation, biological diversity, urban recreation, and civil rights. The common thread that binds these areas is the notion that they deserve recognition and protection as part of the nation’s natural and cultural heritage.

To make my photography available to publishers, advertisers and web designers I partnered in 2009 with IstockPhoto. My photographs have since been used by National Geographic,  Nature Conservancy,   Sierra Club,   Discovery Channel,   National Public Radio,   People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,   and numerous other national, regional and local publishers.

I am also pleased to offer a limited selection of my photographs as art prints through RedBubble.   If you are interested in ordering a print, just click on the thumbnail to enlarge the image and follow the RedBubble link to order.