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First lady Laura Bush came to Denver to drum up support for the National Park Service’s Junior Ranger program.

“Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier. All of our parks are such an important part of our country,” Bush said to an audience of about 60 at a private event Thursday.

“The president and I live in a national park,” Bush said, referring to the White House. “This program introduces children to the magnificence in our nation.”

She spoke at a luncheon and fundraiser at the Phipps Mansion, a 1930s estate in southeast Denver.

Bush is honorary chairwoman of the National Park Foundation, a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service.

Junior Rangers is a national education program offered through the National Park Service. The program, founded in the early 1960s, is for children ages 6 to 14. It encourages them to connect with their families and to explore park geography, history, botany and wildlife.

Last year, more than 330,000 children participated in Junior Ranger programs across the country in 286 parks. National parks have a shrinking budget, and more than 100 parks do not have money to support Junior Ranger programs.

The first lady hopes her visit to Denver and other states will persuade people to donate. She believes children who participate in the program may one day consider working outdoors in a natural environment.

“We hope they grow up to be park rangers,” Bush said.

Interior Secretary Gale Norton, who was raised in Colorado, spoke at the fundraiser.

“My parents took me to national parks to learn about geology and glaciers carved in mountains. It was an important part of my education,” Norton said.

The event was hosted by Phil and Nancy Anschutz and former University of Denver chancellor Daniel Ritchie.

Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-820-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.