"When we realized that we were losing this space, we did something that had never happened in human history before," he said. "We decided to set aside special portions of land. For the first time in human history, land was set aside not for kings, not for noblemen, not for the very rich, but for everybody for all time."

Outdoor Industry Association members got a 15-minute preview of the film over breakfast Thursday.

"This documentary is a timely and welcome opportunity for our industry," said Frank Hugelmeyer, OIA president. "This spring, Americans will be seeking low-cost ways to spend time with their friends and families. Outdoor activities such as camping and hiking will have special appeal, and we as an industry can tap into the resources of PBS and the film promotion to reinvigorate consumers about the outdoors."

National parks, Burns pointed out, "thrived as never before" during the most difficult economic times the U.S. has faced — the Great Depression. The current economic climate may help Americans gain or strengthen an appreciation for U.S. national parks, he said.

"We fall back on resources that we didn't know we needed and, for many Americans, didn't know we had," Burns said.

E-mail: jpage@desnews.com