A new nationwide, public-opinion survey commissioned by the National Park Foundation (NPF) in partnership with Union Pacific Railroad finds 85% of U.S. adults believe national parks can be classrooms for children, and 70% feel it is very important that parks inspire children to be avid learners.

On average, each year across more than 400 parks in all 50 states and U.S. territories, the National Park Service hosts more than 60,000 in-park and distance learning education programs, serving over 1.8 million students. Since 2011, NPF has connected more than one million students to educational park experiences, with the support of partners such as Union Pacific.

The new survey reveals that 77% of U.S. adults favor expanding national park field trips, classroom activities, and educational experiences.

"The findings indicate that an overwhelming majority of Americans see parks as places of learning and they support expanding programs that connect kids to educational experiences in national parks," said National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth. "Thanks to Union Pacific's generous support, the National Park Foundation is helping to answer the call, making it possible for more students across the country to participate in ranger-led programs that bring subjects such as climate science and U.S. history to life through parks in their own backyards."

Additional findings from the survey, conducted by Lake Research Partners, include: 72% say it is very important that national parks connect children to the outdoors and 69% believe that children who spend time outdoors do better in school. 69% say it is very important that national parks connect children to history and that national parks provide children with hands-on learning in the outdoors. 69% think it is very important to expand programs that connect kids to parks who have never visited a national park before. 70% support connecting one million children to national parks over the next four years. 78% support programs that create educational experiences for children through online programming that enables them to virtually visit a park site whenever they want.

The survey also showed that parks are closer than people think. More than two-thirds of people do not realize that most Americans live within 100 miles of a national park.

"National parks are places of health and learning, and they're closer than many realize," said Union Pacific Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations, Chief Administrative Assistant and Foundation President Scott Moore. "For those who may have seldom or never visited, Union Pacific is proud that our partnership helps address some of the challenges, such as providing transportation and curating curriculum."

Earlier this year, NPF announced its goal to connect another one million students to parks over the next four years through its Open OutDoors for Kids program, which is part of NPF's Youth Education and Engagement initiative.

As part of this program, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and New Orleans Jazz Museum are partnering on culturally responsive field trips for fourth through eighth grade classes, providing educators and students with digital and in-person experiences exploring New Orleans music and culture.

"Thanks to support from the Open OutDoors for Kids program, the New Orleans Jazz Museum and the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park are able to make meaningful connections between the unique history of our community and the space in which that history has taken place," said New Orleans Jazz Museum Education Specialist Ashley Shabankareh. "The past year of virtual and distance learning has reminded us the importance of in-person engagement. By working with this tremendous program, we are able to provide a deeper connection to our community for students and educators who may not have otherwise been able to take part in our programming."

At Indiana Dunes National Park, about an hour's drive from Chicago, the park collaborated with Dunes Learning Center to develop a new hybrid program called Frog on the Log-In, which takes students on interactive, virtual adventures to explore the five unique ecosystems of Indiana Dunes, discover how local organisms adapt to the dunes, and find similar ecosystems across the United States.

The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible.

Union Pacific delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations.

Agoda Sustainable Travel Trends Survey Reveals People's Top Concerns about Tourism's Impact, and Measures to Make Travel More Sustainable.

Easy identification of sustainable eco-friendly travel options, limited use of single-use plastics and financial incentives for accommodation providers who maximize energy efficiencies are the top three additional measures needed to make travel more sustainable according to Agoda's Sustainable Travel Trends Survey. Establishing more protected areas to limit tourist numbers and removal of single-use bathroom amenities round out the top five global measures.

The findings from the Survey launched today to mark World Environment Day 2021 (5 June) also revealed globally that overtourism, and pollution of beaches and waterways are the top two concerns of the impact of tourism, with deforestation and energy inefficiencies (including overconsumption of electricity/water) ranking joint third.

Governments considered most responsible for making changes to make travel more sustainable

Globally, the public considers Governments most accountable for making positive environmental changes around travel, followed by tourism authorities and individuals themselves. When it came to holding governments most accountable, those in Indonesia and UK were most likely to do so (36%), Mainland China followed not too far behind at 33%, with Australia and Malaysia in fourth and fifth spot (28% and 27% respectively). The markets most likely to cite themselves or individuals as most responsible for making changes to traveling sustainably were Thailand (30%), Japan (29%) and the US (28%). Meanwhile, Mainland China (11%), the UK (13%), and Vietnam (14%) were least likely to attribute responsibility to the individual.

When asked what they would pledge to do better in a post COVID travel scenario, the top responses globally were #1 manage their waste including using less single-use plastics, #2 switch off the air con and lights when leaving their accommodation, and #3 always look for eco-friendly accommodation. Interestingly, despite overtourism being the biggest concern, going to lesser-known destinations only ranked seventh of out of 10 as a pledge to do better.

No 'one size fits all for' sustainability

The top practices most associated with environmentally friendly or sustainable travel are #1 renewable energy and resources like solar, wind, hydroelectric and water, #2 no single-use plastics, joint number #3 animal conservation and creating a smaller carbon footprint.

Other energy saving solutions such as key cards or motion sensors, using natural cleaning products are the other key practices. Interestingly, buying locally sourced products, reusing bedding or towels during holiday stays and visiting off-the-beaten track destinations are the bottom three practices out of 10 associated with sustainable travel.

"We can see from the Agoda Sustainable Travel Trends Survey that the messages of taking simple steps such as switching off lights and air conditioning when leaving the room or reducing waste by minimizing use of single-use plastics are being embraced by the public across the globe. What is also clear is that while globally the message is Governments need to take the lead on managing sustainable travel, there is recognition that some responsibility lies with people's own behavior," explains John Brown, CEO Agoda.

"While there are different interpretations of what practices are eco-friendly or sustainable, most of the public are keen to be able to do their part, by actively pledging to choose eco-friendly properties or make smarter environmental choices when traveling. One of the easiest ways to counter concerns about overtourism is to consider traveling to off the beaten track destinations. This past year at Agoda, we have seen a shift in travel patterns as people, limited to domestic travel, explore lesser-known areas. If managed well, not only does this help support independent hoteliers and accommodation providers that rely economically on the tourist dollar, it can help lessen the environmental burden on overcrowded areas.

"As an industry, we need to continue to find ways to help individuals achieve these goals be it making it easier to search and find sustainable properties on Agoda or supporting and encouraging more partners to use key cards for power, use renewable energy sources or offering carbon-offsetting options for travel products." continued Brown.

COVID negatively impacts attitudes to sustainable travel

The increase in desire to travel more sustainably was most prevalent among respondents from South Korea, India and Taiwan, 35%, 31% and 31% respectively. However, looking at the figures globally, while 25% have an increased desire to travel more sustainably this compares with 35% whose desire to do so decreased. The markets reporting the biggest proportional decrease were Indonesia (56%), Thailand (51%) and the Philippines (50%).

"It's concerning that many people see sustainable travel as less important today than they did before COVID-19, but I hope that is just a short-term effect, driven by people's thirst to get back out there and travel any way they can," John Brown concluded.

USA

More Americans are most concerned about polluted beaches, followed by overtoursim, and energy inefficiencies.

Americans take complete accountability, with 28% claiming they themselves are responsible for making changes around tourism to make traveling more sustainable, followed by both tourism authorities and Governments tied at 16%

US top pledges to travel more sustainably post-Covid are #1 switch off air conditioner and lights when leaving their hotel room, #2 reuse hotel amenities such as towels or bedding and joint #3 shopping local or independent businesses and managing their waste

Practices that are considered most helpful to travel sustainably by Americans are accommodations using renewable energy or water source, key cards to power electricity in an accommodation, and destinations that are not high-density tourist spots.

What do they associate with sustainable travel? Use of renewable energy 36%, energy saving 26%, no single use plastics and buying local both tie at 25%. The additional measures to help make travel more sustainable according to Americans are easy identification of eco-friendly travel options, limiting use of single-use plastic in airlines or accommodations, and financial incentives to accommodation providers who maximize energy efficiency

A new market study published by Global Industry Analysts Inc., (GIA) the premier market research company, today released its report titled "Watches and Clocks - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics". The report presents fresh perspectives on opportunities and challenges in a significantly transformed post COVID-19 marketplace.

Watches and clocks are mechanical or electronic timekeeping pieces, which are utilized to indicate or measure time. Demand in the market is driven by the advent of newer technologies, digital advancements, changing economic status of developed and developing countries, shift in power from brands to consumers, from baby boomers to millennials, from western world to the eastern countries, and from traditional print and television media to social media. The growing trend of gifting watches, personally or for businesses, adds to the demand for watches and clocks. With prices of smart devices falling constantly, sales of smartwatches have gathered pace. Another major trend is the rising demand for sports watches with in-built GPS that allows wearers to keep track of performance parameters such as distance covered, calories burnt and time taken. The growing popularity of Internet retailing also presents substantial opportunities. Confronting stiff challenge from smartwatches, traditional watches are looking to sustain sales by emphasizing on function, movement design, place of manufacture, craftsmanship, brand value and credibility, and price.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Watches and Clocks estimated at US$60.5 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$70.7 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 2.8% over the analysis period. Quartz, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record 2.3% CAGR and reach US$48.1 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Mechanical segment is readjusted to a revised 3.9% CAGR for the next 7-year period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $11.8 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $7.5 Billion by 2026

The Watches and Clocks market in the U.S. is estimated at US$11.8 Billion in the year 2021. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$7.5 Billion by the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 4% over the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 1.9% and 2.5% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 2.4% CAGR. The penetration of premium branded watches in the US, Canada, Japan and Europe is high partly because developed markets are backed by favorable socio-cultural factors and greater discretionary spending power among men and women. The launch of affordable luxury watches and affordable smartwatches in particular are expected to benefit sales in the US. Middle class population in India and China, with their rising disposable incomes, have supported sales in the mid-priced products category.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (www.strategyr.com) is a renowned market research publisher the world's only influencer driven market research company. Proudly serving more than 42,000 clients from 36 countries, GIA is recognized for accurate forecasting of markets and industries for over 33 years.

Covered Segments: Category [Mass (Under $50), Middle ($50-$299), Upper ($300-$999), Luxury ($1000 & Above)]; and Type (Quartz, and Mechanical). Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Australia; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; Rest of Latin America; Middle East; Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; UAE; Rest of Middle East; Africa.

The aviation MRO community will gather live at Aviation Week Network's MRO Americas in Orlando, April 27-29

The aviation MRO community will gather in-person for the first time in over a year, with the option to attend virtually, at Aviation Week Network's 26th Annual MRO Americas (#MROAM), April 27-29 in Orlando, Florida. The event will be co-located with the Military Aviation Logistics & Maintenance Symposium (#MALMS).

The hybrid event will allow participants to connect with peers and colleagues in person at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando or attend virtually from anywhere in the world. The in-person event will be followed May 4-5 with scheduled virtual meetings, networking, chats, and on demand content.

The conference will address how the industry is moving forward after a year of incredible challenges and change with speakers from American Airlines, Boeing, Airbus, Ameriflight, and more.

"As we welcome the MRO Americas/MALMS industry back this year, it will be a condensed and more domestic/regionalized version of past events. The smaller scale conference and exhibition will enable us to accommodate everyone safely and securely and enable our customers to engage and conduct business confidently," said Lydia Janow, Managing Director, Events, for Aviation Week Network. "MRO Americas plays an integral role in our customers' business operations and we are so inspired by how the industry has pulled together to support each other."

The Military Aviation Logistics & Maintenance Symposium is supported by Elbit Systems of America, FTI, L3 Harris, Logistics Officers Association (LOA), Robbins Gioia and Teledyne Controls. The symposium takes place April 28-29 and is designed to bring "best practices" from commercial and military operations together.

The exhibition hall hours are Tuesday, April 27, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. See here for a full list of exhibitors.

MRO Americas is supported by our sponsors. Platinum Sponsors are Airbus, Chromalloy, GE Aviation, Honeywell, Lufthansa Technik, and ST Engineering. Gold Sponsors are ATS, Avparts International, BPAero, CTS Engines, Embraer, GlobalParts Aero, IFS, LCI, MB Aerospace, Nordam, Spirit Aerosystems, Vertical Aerospace, and VSE Aviation.

MRO Americas will be organized in accordance with Informa's AllSecure Health and Safety standards, along with those of the OCCC. As the world's leading events' organizer, Informa developed a detailed set of enhanced measures. MRO Americas has planned for an optimally safe environment from the moment attendees check-in at registration to the closing of the show floor. Anyone unable to travel to Orlando will be able to participate virtually. Conference sessions will be live-streamed and available on demand and networking will be accommodated over the May 4-5 dates.

ABOUT AVIATION WEEK NETWORK

Aviation Week Network is the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace, and defense industries, serving 1.7 million professionals around the world. Industry professionals rely on Aviation Week Network to help them understand the market, make decisions, predict trends, and connect with people and business opportunities. Customers include the world's leading aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, airlines, airports, business aviation operators, militaries, governments and other organizations that serve this worldwide marketplace. Aviation Week Network's portfolio delivers award-winning journalism, data, intelligence and analytical resources, world-class tradeshows and conferences, and results-driven marketing services and advertising is helping our customers succeed. Aviation Week Network is part of Informa Markets, a division of Informa PLC.

ABOUT INFORMA MARKETS

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organiser, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year.

For more information, please visit informamarkets.com