Apple Supports National Parks With Apple Watch Activity Challenge and Apple Pay Donations

Apple today introduced an Apple Pay donation program and a new Activity Challenge on the Apple Watch in support of U.S. national parks.

apple watch activity challenge national parks
From August 24 through August 31, Apple said it will donate $1 to the National Park Foundation, the official charity of the U.S. National Park Service, for every purchase made with Apple Pay at any Apple Store, on Apple.com, or through the Apple Store app for iPhone and iPad in the United States.

Proceeds will support the National Park Foundation's mission to protect national parks through projects like habitat restoration and historic preservation, and support programs like Open OutDoors for Kids, according to Apple.

Apple CEO Tim Cook:

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. 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.

On September 1, Apple Watch users around the world who complete a walk, run, or wheelchair workout of 50 minutes of more will earn an Activity app award and animated iMessage stickers, inspired by national parks. The challenge pays homage to Redwood National Park's 50th anniversary celebration this year.

The App Store will also highlight a collection of some of the best apps to help users easily navigate and explore U.S. national parks.

Apple supported U.S. national parks in these same ways in July 2017.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch 10, Apple Pay
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
89 months ago
I think they should have a "product Green" line to support the environment, just like they have product Red for AIDS charity.
And if you wanna support both simultaneously…



Attachment Image
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
recoil80 Avatar
89 months ago
I think they should have a "product Green" line to support the environment, just like they have product Red for AIDS charity.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fozziebear71 Avatar
89 months ago
Wow - how generous. If you buy any Apple product, which range in price from $20 charging cables where they likely make $18 profit to $15K computers where they likely make $12K profit, they'll donate a whole $1.

This week only. Oh, and only if you use Apple Pay, because they really want to get you using that.
They are a company that exists to make money.

Exactly what was your point?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jimbobb24 Avatar
89 months ago
I love parks so this is great. I do the fetish on "restoration" is a little funny such natural areas have no "true" form (what are we restoring them to). The American Indians used to burn whole forests so they could chase buffalo but most of those areas are being replaced by trees now. Things change, there is no correct state for nature, but I do love hiking, biking, and camping in the parks and hope they continue to thrive.

I like when they do specialty badges. They need to do more and up their game with the activity app.

Also people giving Tim Cook a hard time for donating 5 million is the height of pettiness and envy.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fozziebear71 Avatar
89 months ago
This ever increasing view in our society that corporations that make a lot of money is an awful thing is getting so tiresome.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TaviDuprix Avatar
89 months ago
Wow - how generous. If you buy any Apple product, which range in price from $20 charging cables where they likely make $18 profit to $15K computers where they likely make $12K profit, they'll donate a whole $1.

This week only. Oh, and only if you use Apple Pay, because they really want to get you using that.
Unless you are donating money, save your disdain for something else.
[doublepost=1535055635][/doublepost]
Yes, but how much did it save him in taxes? Sure, it's great he donated 5 million, way more than I ever could, but every time I see things like this it ends up being some huge benefit in taxes to the giver, to the point where it was something they were required to do to keep more money than to pay it out in taxes.
You do not understand the tax code if you even for a second believe that when rich people give money to charity they somehow make out better than if they had not donated at all.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)