About Eastern national
Eastern National: Promoting Public Support for America's National Parks
Eastern National is a not-for-profit cooperating association that has been promoting public support for America's national parks and other public trust partners since 1947. The organization operates bookstores and gift shops in over 150 national park sites, providing visitors with educational materials, souvenirs, and other items that help them connect with the natural beauty and cultural heritage of these special places.
At Eastern National, we believe that our national parks are among our country's greatest treasures. These protected areas provide opportunities for people to experience the wonders of nature firsthand, learn about our nation's history and culture, and gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of conservation. By supporting these parks through sales at our bookstores and gift shops, we help ensure that they remain accessible to all Americans for generations to come.
Our History
Eastern National was founded in 1947 by a group of park rangers who recognized the need for an organization dedicated to promoting public support for America's national parks. At the time, many of these parks were struggling financially due to budget cuts and other challenges. The rangers believed that by selling educational materials related to the parks' natural resources and cultural heritage, they could raise funds while also educating visitors about these important topics.
Over the years, Eastern National has grown significantly in size and scope. Today we operate more than 150 stores across the country in partnership with various federal agencies such as the National Park Service (NPS), U.S Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) , US Forest Service (USFS) , Army Corps Of Engineers(ACE) , Tennessee Valley Authority(TVA) , Smithsonian Institution(SI), State Parks etc . We offer a wide range of products including books on history & nature; field guides; maps; posters; apparel; toys & games ; jewelry ; home decor ; snacks etc . Our products are carefully curated to reflect each park’s unique character while also providing visitors with high-quality educational materials.
Our Mission
At Eastern National our mission is simple: To promote public understanding & appreciation of America’s natural beauty & cultural heritage by operating retail stores within federal recreation sites across United States . We believe that everyone should have access to information about their local environment as well as those around them so they can make informed decisions regarding conservation efforts or simply enjoy what nature has provided us .
We strive every day towards fulfilling this mission by offering quality products at reasonable prices while also providing excellent customer service . Our staff members are knowledgeable about each park’s unique features which allows them assist customers better when it comes selecting merchandise or answering questions related to specific locations .
Our Impact
Since its inception over seven decades ago Eastern National has made significant contributions towards preserving America’s natural beauty & cultural heritage through its operations within federal recreation sites across United States . Over time we have raised millions dollars which have been used towards funding various projects aimed at improving visitor experiences such as trail maintenance programs or restoration efforts on historic buildings .
In addition we have helped fund research projects aimed at understanding how best manage resources within protected areas so future generations can continue enjoy same benefits without compromising ecological integrity or historical significance associated with each site .
Conclusion:
In conclusion Eastern National is an organization dedicated towards promoting public support for America’s national parks through its operations within federal recreation sites across United States . We offer quality products at reasonable prices while also providing excellent customer service which makes us stand out from competition . With over seven decades experience under belt there isn’t much doubt left regarding effectiveness this non-profit cooperating association when it comes raising awareness amongst general population about importance protecting environment around us!