Amata Highlights National Park of American Samoa for National Park Week, Upcoming Arbor Day

Washington, D.C. - On Earth Day 2025, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is highlighting the National Park of American Samoaas part of National Park Week(celebrated April 19-27), which includes both Earth Day (Tuesday) and Arbor Day (Friday), as well as sharing a few of the related efforts of the House Natural Resources (HNR) Committee.

"Our beautiful tropical islands are bright green and full of life, but even here there are places where the vegetation needs replenished or tended, after landslides, nearby construction or just routine causes," said Congresswoman Amata. "Last week was Holy Week, and from Genesis we read that God intended us to use wise stewardship of the lands, including caring for and cultivating plant life. With Earth Day, National Park Week, and Arbor Day, we have three good reminders of these natural blessings, and how keeping an abundance of trees and vegetation worldwide can improve our fresh air."

"We're so proud of our beautiful National Park of American Samoa and the ways it stands out from all the others in the United States, as the only one south of the equator," she continued. "Our Park helps showcase our ancient culture and welcoming people to visitors, as well as our beautiful places and native wildlife and plants. I appreciate the efforts of all our Park employees and volunteers, knowing they work outdoors in hot conditions or potentially caught in heavy rains."

On January 4, 2025, a bill on which Amata was an original cosponsor became law, the bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (EXPLORE) Act,one of the signature HNR legislative efforts of the 118^th Congress, supporting recreational and outdoor activities. This year in the 119^th Congress, the Fix Our Forests Acthas already passed the House, led by HNR Chairman Bruce Westerman of Arkansas. A forester by education, Chairman Westerman has made reducing wildfires and preserving forest lands a major priority.

The National Park of American Samoa is exceptional in the U.S. park system, as a multi-site Park, part of several islands, home to South Pacific plants and species not found anywhere else in the U.S., and the fact that it includes offshore coral reefs. The United States has 63 National Parks and in all 433 sites in the system, including monuments, memorials, battlefields, historic sites, seashores, recreation areas and scenic trails.

National Park Week is an initiative of the National Park Service (NPS) and the National Park Foundation. The NPS is part of the Department of the Interior, under the jurisdiction of the Natural Resources Committee in Congress for oversight and funding authorization.

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