USA Freedom Corps, the National Park Service, American Recreation Coalition and Task Force on New Americans have created a public-private partnership, This Land is Your Land, to engage more new Americans in volunteer and recreation opportunities, particularly in America’s National Parks.
Upon naturalization, new citizens are granted the right to ownership of these federally managed lands and the shared responsibility to preserve these national treasures for generations to come. The initiative encourages more civic engagement among America’s newest citizens and fosters a greater sense of ownership in our public lands.
Sam Solomon, President and CEO of the Coleman Company announced that all new citizens will receive a 25 percent discount to purchase outdoor gear and will place camping gear at certain National Parks specifically for use by new Americans.
On July 4, 2008, U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced that all new Americans, sworn in between July 4, 2008 and September 27, 2008 are invited to enter the National Parks free of charge on September 28, 2008.
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