Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in partnership with Mississippi River Trail Inc.  and Jefferson National Parks Association, has received a $20,000 Challenge Cost Share Grant which will aid in bringing new, immigrant audiences to urban National Park sites.  The grant monies, which will total over $53,000, will help the park build on partnership efforts with National Scenic and Historic Long Distance Trails that adjoin the Mississippi River to encourage visitation in and stewardship of national parks and trails, and promote the magnificence and diversity of the Mississippi River as a national treasure. 

The initiative will also be a component part of this fall’s ParkPalooza, a family-oriented event on the Arch grounds, which will bring the national park experience to an urban audience in a fun, festive atmosphere.  Partnering with the International Institute St. Louis, plans will be made to prepare for making ParkPalooza a mobile event that can travel to national and state parks on the Mississippi River and across the nation, beginning in 2010.

Through activities at ParkPalooza visitors will be educated on the importance of the river ecosystem and its cultural heritage.  They will become aware of the need for river ecology and programs.  It is hoped that involvement in national parks and public lands will create a sense of belonging and ownership for our newest American residents, and will foster appreciation and future stewardship of public lands.

The International Institute St. Louis, established in 1919, helps refugees and immigrants to independence by teaching English, finding jobs, and providing adjustment services to overcome language and cultural barriers.  They build a healthier community by helping newcomers become productive citizens and by promoting public awareness of the important contribution ethnic diversity makes to the St. Louis region’s economy and quality of life.  In 2008 they worked directly with more than 8,000 newcomers from over 100 countries.  The park will conduct meetings and special programming for approximately 300 refugees who are students of the International Institute St. Louis’s English as a Second Language class or “Discover St. Louis” program.

Julie Northrip and Peter Hovey of the park’s Education staff, and interpretive park ranger Elaine Brasher, met with Core AEL teachers at the International Institute St. Louis on May 8 to discuss and brainstorm ideas for introducing national parks to recent immigrants.  Using very simple language and many visuals was important in conveying major ideas as many of the students had limited or no proficiency in English and some are illiterate in their native languages. 

After the planning meeting International Institute teachers worked with students to prepare them for a National Park Service presentation at the school on May 21.  The teachers developed lessons for their two week Community Resources unit that increased students’ understanding of and ability to use national parks. One class prepared a skit to perform as an introduction to the park’s presentation. The skit was about a man from Nepal visiting a national park and approaching a park ranger before beginning to fish. The students’ skit introduced the nature of a park ranger’s responsibility including helping visitors and providing information about things to do in the park.