Discover the Power of Parks

A national park isn’t just a pretty place. It’s a reminder that we are part of something bigger. An opportunity to connect to nature, and each other, in new, extraordinary ways. It’s a chance to gain perspective, reflect on the past, and rediscover the natural joy that comes from being outdoors together. And these moments are made possible thanks to a group of inspiring people who share our passion for being outside. Let’s meet a few of them.

1 Min. Read | Home & Backyard

A beautiful rock formation against a bright blue sky with a Zion National Park entrance sign in the foreground.

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[00:00:00.00] Text, The employees of the National Park Service are always working to care for the spaces we love. Here is one story. Plant Whisperer. An employee of the National Park Service crouches and examines some dry grass in a rocky area.

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[00:00:03.82] I'm Melissa Nicolli. I'm a vegetation biotech for the National Park Service's Inventory and Monitoring program.

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[00:00:09.53] Text, Upper Columbia Basin Network, OR. Melissa gestures to her surroundings, which consists of gray rock hills and patches of dry grass.

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[00:00:09.61] Today, I'm at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in central Oregon.

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[00:00:13.88] Melissa walks to a clump of dry grass.

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[00:00:13.93] I have the wonderfully rewarding job of getting to monitor the vegetation resources within the parks. The information that I collect can help park staff make informed management decisions that protects their native plant communities. I love working for the National Park Service.

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[00:00:28.88] Text, find your park. To all our National Park Service employees, thank you. National Park Foundation, Wonder Calls, L.L. Bean. Share your thanks at Find Your Park dot com.

The Plant Whisperer: Melissa Nicolli

You think you like plants? Vegetation Biotechs like Melissa take inventory of the plants and wildlife in over 400 parks across the country to help protect native plant life.

National Park vistas along the Columbia Plateau.

Melissa works a network of several national park sites along the Columbia Plateau. Photos courtesy of NPS.

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[00:00:00.00] Text: The employees of the National Park Service are always working to care for the spaces we love. Ranger Michael Smith, Mountain Farm Museum Coordinator, wears a khaki-colored uniform and baseball cap. He walks outdoors past a wooden fence, then stands in an antique wood barn under the hayloft.

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[00:00:03.73] My name is Ranger Michael Smith. I work here at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I'm the Mountain Farm Museum coordinator. We get to do a lot of different things on the farm.

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[00:00:12.40] He pumps a vintage bellows next to a fire and pounds glowing hot metal on an anvil using a hammer.

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[00:00:12.67] The most memorable experiences that I have are working with our junior rangers.

[00:00:17.41] My passion is agriculture, and anytime I can share that with somebody else and they can become passionate about it, it really stands out to me.

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[00:00:24.33] Smith smiles and tips his hat. Logo: Find Your Park.

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[00:00:25.39] I found my park here in the Smokies.

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[00:00:27.93] Text: To all our National Park Service employees, thank you. Logos: National Park Foundation, Wonder Calls. L.L.Bean.

The Preservationist: Michael Smith

Devoted to cultural preservation, Michael is a museum coordinator who cares for historic structures and interprets the histories and daily lives of those who came before us.

A footbridge in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

A deer in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

A tree in sunlight in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park where Michael works contains a rich history spanning thousands of years. Photos courtesy of NPS.

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[On Screen Text on a white background] The employees of the National Park Service are always working to care for the spaces we love.

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[more On Screen Text] Here is one story.

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[medium shot from an old fort looking out at the ocean] Title: MASTER PLANNER

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[Shot of a younger man in front of old fort. On Screen Title states: Special Permits Coordinator Angel Cuevas, San Juan National Historic Site, PR] Man is speaking in Spanish. English translation: I represent the National Park Service here in San Juan Puerto Rico.

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Angel: I work as Special Permits Coordinator or this beautiful park.

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[Drone shot of San Juan National Historic Site, an old fort sitting over the ocean] Angel: The main task I work on is managing requests such as weddings,

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Angel: commercial photography video and movie productions,

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from the US and all over the world [Shot of from the fort, looking out to sea with a rainbow]

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[”Find your park” logo over drone shot of the fort]

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On Screen Text: To all our National Park Service employees, thank you. Below are the National Park Foundation logo as well as the L.L.Bean logo.

The Master Planner: Angel Cuevas

Not everything happens naturally at national parks. Angel manages event requests like weddings, commercial photography, and video and movie productions from all over the world.