Teddy's Story

Teddy’s roots are humble. He grew up in the woods of Shenandoah National Park, enjoying the lush forests of the park and ambles along Skyline Drive. He fondly recalls the views right outside his den. "Some days you could see for miles," Teddy recalls. "And some days, well some days not so much. That really bothered me." As Teddy grew older, his concern for Shenandoah and the rest of our national parks grew as well. It wasn't just the obscured views that worried him; it was the loss of his homeland to development.

About Teddy’s Name

Theodore Mather was named for two important conservationists and national parks advocates, Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th president, and Stephen T. Mather the nation's first National Park Service director and a founder of the National Parks Conservation Association.

During his presidency, Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation establishing five national parks, including Mesa Verde. He also enacted the Antiquities Act, which enabled Roosevelt and his successors to proclaim federally owned historic landmarks, historic or prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest as national monuments.

As the nation's first National Park Service Director Stephen Mather saw the need for a voice outside of government, uninfluenced by political forces, that could advocate for the national parks and ensure that these special places would be protected for generations here today and those who would come later. He was among the small group of conservationists, business leaders, and scientists who founded NPCA in 1919. We began with 330 members and one full time employee. Today, we have grown to 140 employees with 22 regional and field offices around the country, and 330,000 members nationwide.