This February, AnswerConnect donated to Zion National Park. As part of the company’s Giving Back initiative, AnswerConnect donates to a different environmental nonprofit each month.
A unique geographic location
Located in southwest Utah, Zion National Park is instantly recognizable from its dramatic red cliffs and winding canyons. The 593.3 km² park also includes forest trails, the Virgin River, waterfalls and a hanging garden.
Situated at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert, the park encompasses diverse terrains. Spanning desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest, the park’s diverse geography is host to a range of unique wildlife. That includes numerous plant species, birds, mammals, and reptiles.
The arrival of people
Small family groups of Native Americans were the first to inhabit the area about 8,000 years ago. Mormons arrived in the area in 1858 and settled there in the early 1860s. President William Howard Taft officially recognized the area as a National Park, naming the area Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909. The park’s area was enlarged and renamed Zion National Monument in 1918.
The park has appeared in numerous films and TV shows. But it’s perhaps most recognizable as the setting for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Today, the park receives millions of visitors every year.
The birth of the National Park Service
The National Park Service describes its mission as “[To] preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.”
Hester McQueen, Head of Mattering at AnswerConnect, said:
“We’re proud to use our giving back initiative to support Zion National Park. Their work conserving an American landmark is essential for both local wildlife and the people who visit every year. Our donation will help the National Park Service protect the natural landscape and conserve the local wildlife for future generations.”
AnswerConnect’s donation comes alongside the company’s commitment to plant a tree for every employee and every client, every month. The company has now planted 1,415,993 trees.
Learn more about AnswerConnect’s tree-planting program here.
Learn more about Zion National Park here.
