Apple puts money where its heart is for U.S. National Parks

A beautiful view across a U.S. National Park

Parks and green spaces matter. Apple today introduceda bunch of new ways its customers can support U.S. National Parks, including an Apple Pay promotion, Activity ring competitions and more.

Why do parks matter?

Apple supports these programs because they help give thousands of kids opportunities for open exploration, sparking passion and curiosity, and inspiring new generations to leave the world better than they found it.

Since the mid-19th century when large parks were introduced in cities across America including New York, Boston, Louisville, Chicago, Minneapolis and San Francisco, America’s city parks have provided a respite from the stress of urban life for millions.

America’s National Parks provide a similar opportunity, enabling humans to regain a sense of connection with their environment. Benefits of this include health, ecological awareness and community empowerment. Parks also unlock economic value, through tourism, quality of life, inspiration and more.

Apple’s Steve Jobs famously would walk in parks when reaching important decisions. I seem to recall that the famed 2002 iMac G4 “lamp” was visualised during a walk in a rose garden.

The inference is clear: Parks and beautiful outside spaces unleash creativity, well-being and innovation, meaning the positive impacts of these spaces extend beyond discernible economic benefits.

What Apple says

“The beauty in our parks is obvious to all observers but their most profound contribution is to our spirit,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We are proud to support them.”

What Apple is doing with Apple Pay?

Between August 17-25, Apple will make a $10 donation to the National Park Foundation for each purchase made with Apple Pay at an Apple Store, apple.com or the Apple Store app in the US.

What is Apple doing with the App Store?

The App Store will highlight a collection of some of the essential apps to help customers plan for and enjoy their next national park visit.

What is Apple doing with Apple TV?

The Apple TV app’s national parks collection will include “Free Solo,” The Smithsonian’s “National Parks Exploration Series” and other relevant TV shows and movies.

One of the new Apple Watch parks icons

What is Apple doing with Apple Music?

Apple Music will introduce “Nature Awaits,” a brand new playlist inspired by the extraordinary beauty of the country’s parks, and Apple Podcasts will feature a collection of shows focused on national parks, hosted by the rangers and hikers that love them most.

What is Apple doing with Apple Books?

Apple Books will feature “Our National Parks,” a themed collection that will guide readers through notable national parks in the United States.

What does the National Park Foundation do?

The National Park Foundationis the official charitable partner of the National Park Service. Among many other things, it runs schemes across the U.S. that help to connect young people who wouldn’t otherwise have the means with transformative park experiences. That means things like field trips to immersive multi-day experiences in parks and skill and leadership camps extending across weeks.

“At the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area this summer, Apple volunteers supported a project led by SAMO Youth, a summer service corps for outstanding local high school juniors and seniors. Volunteers were taught how to build benches and pot native plants in a nursery while assisting efforts to recover from the 2018 Woolsey Fire,” Apple said.

What can you do to show your support?

On August 25, Apple Watch users around the world can earn an Activity award and animated stickers for Messages inspired by Grand Canyon National Park’s 100th anniversary.

To take part all you need to do is record a walk, run, hike or wheelchair workout of at least three miles, which is the distance of the park’s South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge and back.

Finally, sorry — I couldn’t resist a quick song:

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