This project is the first of its kind within the National Park Service. Our mission is simple: connect communities to each other; connect communities to our backyards. Through our program, we strive to nurture a sense of stewardship, appreciation and pride for National Parks and the nature and history we all share.

This is a student-driven program. From website content to lesson plans, our interns not only help create material for the program, but help make decisions about the direction of the program. Our team of rangers, interns, volunteers and teachers is based out of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in downtown Seattle. As an urban national park, Klondike Gold Rush NHP is a prime location for this project in that it serves as a hub for National Parks throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic National Parks.

As the National Park Service steps into its second century, the In My Backyard team is striving to increase youth engagement and connect urban populations to parks. We are a diverse team of passionate individuals dedicated to serving and developing the next generation of environmental stewards. Explore our site to learn more about the opportunities we provide and adventures we have experienced in the Great Pacific Northwest and beyond.