First lady Laura Bush lent her support in Denver today to a program that connects children to nature.
The National Park Service’s Junior Ranger program encourages kids and their families to explore geography, history, botany and wildlife, together.
“It is so important we introduce our young people to our parks,” said Bush, who is honorary chairwoman of the National Park Foundation, a nonprofit entity under the National Park Service.
“It’s important they explore nature,” she said.
The first lady was joined by Interior Secretary Gale Norton at the luncheon and fundraiser today at the Phipps Mansion. The event was hosted by Phil and Nancy Anschutz and former University of Denver chancellor Daniel Ritchie.
“I grew up in Colorado. My parents took me to national parks to learn about geology and glaciers carved in mountains. It was an important part of my education,” Gale Norton said.
Bush said her interest in visiting national parks began 20 years ago after she and five girlfriends took a trip to visit the Colorado River.
Since then, the group of friends and the first lady visit a national park every summer, Bush said.
More than 330,000 children participate each year in the Junior Ranger program, through the country’s 286 national parks. The program began in the early 1960s, for children between the ages of six and 14.
Bush also attended a private fundraiser for the Republican National Committee during her Denver visit.
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-820-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
