NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 12: (L-R) U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Tim McClimon, President of the American Express Foundation, Park Ranger Daniel Prebutt, Mitchell J. Silver, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, Jane Chan, 21st Century Conservation Service Corp Member, and Neil Nicoll, President Emeritus of the YMCA of the USA attend American Express’ announcement of a 5 million dollar grant to increase volunteering in America’s National Parks at Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park on March 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Thos Robinson/Getty Images for American Express)

From the U.S. Department of Interior

NEW YORK, NY—As part of the Interior Department’s bold youth initiative to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today announced a new $5-million commitment from American Express to help the Department reach its goal of one million volunteers on public lands annually. Watch this Twitter video released earlier today that highlights key elements of this new volunteer initiative.

Joined by American Express Foundation President Timothy J. McClimon, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, and YMCA of the USA President Emeritus Neil Nicoll, Jewell and the other leaders discussed how the funding will help increase engagement, connections and support of public lands in 50 cities across the country – starting in New York City.

“Magnificent landscapes and our strong volunteer ethic are part of what make America so special and unique,” Secretary Jewell said today at the kickoff event at Castle Clinton National Monument in Manhattan. “This partnership with American Express will be a huge boost as we create a movement to foster the next generation of leaders and outdoor stewards while helping people connect to the public lands in their community – particularly in urban areas.” Continue reading →