The National Parks continue to inspire and heal me. I hope that I can do my part in protecting them for future generations.
Like many people during the Covid lockdown of 2020, I dreamed of traveling. My husband and I bought an RV so that we could safely travel around the United States. And in 2023, I took a sabbatical from my job as pastor with the intention to find rest and renewal in our National Parks. We saw 14 national parks, crossed through 16 states, and traveled over 10,000 miles in the first year we had the RV. And because I advocate for menstrual products and education to be available to everyone, I wrote about navigating my period in our National Parks.
Each year we visit more National Parks, learning the art of slow travel, and advocating for the protection of our public lands. In many ways, these adventures in public lands feel like pilgrimages to sacred sites. At the beginning of these trips, I would describe the wonder and awe of God’s creation, and I still have that sense. But more and more, I am aware that public land is sacred because she belongs to all of us and we belong to her. The religious language and experiences of national park visitors vary but our common devotion is conservation. Our mantra is: take nothing but pictures and leave only footprints. Well-marked hiking trails work as well as prayer labyrinths for transforming souls. And among the many tasks of our park rangers is that they are stewards of the mysteries of God.
Our National Parks are facing Crisis, you can stay up to date on media releases, and you can help the National Parks Conservation Association by joining me in sharing your park story and by taking these steps:
- Check out our action center. We provide easy ways to connect with Congress, including talking points, so you can tell your elected officials how important our parks are to you.
- Use our Take Action Toolkit. There are resources there to support your advocacy, including yard signs, buttons, and postcard designs you can print for free and share within your communities.
- Take our Advocacy Crash Course, where we break down the processes, agencies, acronyms, and systems.
Period Pastor Pad 