Virgin Islands National Park, USA 2 Aug 2024

Virgin Islands National Park, USA

In 1956, businessman and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller saw the beauty of Saint John, one of the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, and knew it had to be preserved. Fast forward to today, and we"re marking the 68th anniversary of the creation of the Virgin Islands National Park. Covering about 60% of the island and 5,650 acres (2,286 hectares) of submerged lands, this park is a living example of preservation—thanks to Rockefeller, who donated over 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares) of his land to the US government. Even after the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the park bounced back stronger than ever, welcoming over 100,000 visitors in 2018.

© cdwheatley/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

A painters palette of natures hues
A rocky wrinkle in time
2 Aug 2025Cowes Week
2 Aug 2026Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland

More Desktop Wallpapers:

4 Jun 2026Snowy egret preening, Florida, United States
24 Feb 2024Almond trees in full bloom, California, USA
28 Aug 2024Paralympic Games begin in Paris
1 Dec 2023Antarctica Day
23 Mar 2025World Meteorological Day
Good cold fun
19 May 2024Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
A remote oasis in Texas
12 Jun 2025Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States
Taking the long view
15 Feb 2025Kingfisher
11 Feb 2024Folegandros Island, Cyclades, Greece
25 Mar 2024Happy Holi!
This lake is no mirage
14 May 2026Pitigliano, Tuscany, Italy
31 Aug 2025Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, Nebraska, United States
Celebrating the tropics
Just a couple of know-it-owls
8 Aug 2026International Infinity Day
21 Jun 2026Happy Fathers Day!
A fox in the dunes
1 Oct 2026Black History Month
Where history comes alive
7 Dec 2023Verdon Gorge, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
Charming Turenne
7 Jan 2025Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand
7 Sep 2024Annas hummingbird
24 Sep 2024Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
21 Mar 2026International Day of Forests
Happy Mothers Day!