Apple Inc Launching National Park Donation Program with Apple Pay and Apple Watch

Apple launches donation program after announcing this morning its new initiative aimed at supporting the US’s national parks.

Apple Launches Donation Program

According to the company, from August 24th through the 31st, Apple will be donating $1 to the National Park Foundation for every purchase made with Apple Pay. The purchases with Apple Pay can be at any Apple Store, on the Apple website, or through the Apple Store app in the US.

Proceeds collected by Apple will support the National Park Foundation’s mission to protect the nation’s national parks. The funds go to habitat restoration and historic preservation.

“America’s national parks are treasures everyone should experience, and we’re proud to support them again this month by donating a dollar for every purchase made with Apple Pay at one of our stores,” said Apple’s CEO Tim Cook. “These awe-inspiring places are our national inheritance, and Apple is doing our part to pass them on to future generations — just as extraordinary, beautiful and wild as we found them.”

The National Park Foundation also holds programs to engage the new generation of park stewards through programs like Open OutDoors for Kids.

On top of raising funds, Apple is introducing a National-park themed Apple Watch Activity Challenge to accompany the donation initiative. Starting on the first of September, Apple Watch users around the globe have the ability to earn an Activity App award and national park inspired stickers. Users must walk, run, or do a wheelchair workout of 50 minutes or more to receive the prizes.

The 50 minutes signifies Redwood National Park’s 50th Anniversary this year. In September, Apple’s app store will also feature some of the best apps to use to explore the US National Parks. Last year, Apple held the same event. It may be beefing up its efforts due to the major fire still affecting one of the most visited national parks in the nation, Yosemite, in California.