Obama talks conservation, preservation in Yosemite

As Yosemite Falls roared in the background, President Barack Obama spoke to a crowd Saturday on the values of national parks, conservation and preservation of what he called, “America’s best great idea.”

Less than two months shy of the official 100th anniversary of the national parks, the First Family spent much of the weekend in Yosemite, the first trip for a president to the park in nearly 55 years.

“You can’t view this on your iPad or a flat screen. You have to breathe this in yourself,” he said to a crowd of several hundred invited guests. “It’s a park that captures the wonders of the world. It changes you by being here.”

He spoke of seeing nature firsthand, from bears and falcons to deer and bobcats. He described the giant sequoias, waterfalls and granite walls that make Yosemite world famous and encouraged conservation efforts to preserve the natural wonders that have made Yosemite among the most popular national parks – nearly 4 million visitors last year alone.

Obama said his administration, which he noted has helped save 265 million acres of public land – more than any other president – is encouraging more people to visit national parks annually. He promoted the initiative to allow military personnel and their families into the parks for free and started a new campaign this year that gives every fourth-grader in the nation a free pass to explore national parks.

The president and First Lady, Michelle Obama, handed numerous fourth-graders from across California a free pass at a Kids in the Park event prior to speaking Saturday morning.

As the president and First Lady were distributing national parks cards to the kids, a boy turned to the president and said, "Happy Father's Day for tomorrow".

"Thank you!” the president said.

Phillip Kilbridge, CEO of Nature Bridge, a nonprofit that helps connect children and national parks, said the group of students he brought with him were in awe.

“It’s unbelievable. Some of them said they’re never washing their hands again,” he said. “We bring 35,000 kids in the park a year. None have ever meet the president. This is an experience they’ll never forget.”

California’s 27 national parks bring in more than 38 million visitors every year, spending more than $1.8 billion and generating more than $2.6 billion in economic benefits annually to the states. Obama noted studies that showed spending $1 on park maintenance, renovations and projects, brings in $10.

Additionally, California’s outdoor recreation opportunities across the state support hundreds of thousands of jobs and bring in billions in consumer spending. Industry estimates that outdoor recreation in California generates more than $85 billion in consumer spending in the state and supports more than 732,000 jobs.

Obama said he wants to look to the next 100 years. He called the national parks the envy of the world.

"The task of protecting our sacred places is even more important," he said. "We have plenty to celebrate...but the biggest challenge we will have in protecting this place is climate change."