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Parks thrive when the lands around them are healthy. The air, water and wildlife that move in and out of parks must be safe and protected for parks to flourish.
The true value of a place isn’t measured in dollars or acres, but in the lives it has touched. And while national parks account for just over 3% of protected lands, they are hubs for much larger landscapes and ecosystems.
Experts agree that we must fully protect 30% of our lands and waters to guard against the worst impacts of climate change. Parks are natural anchors for this plan. By building outward from places people know, love and value, we can enhance national parks while helping to protect every place on Earth from the impacts of climate change.
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Blog Post
7 Places Worth Saving
By protecting the areas surrounding national parks, the U.S. can build resilient landscapes that prevent the worst effects of climate change and species loss.
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Blog Post
New Opportunities for Our Parks
An open letter from NPCA's President and CEO Tiernan Sittenfeld following the 2026 mid-term elections.
More about Landscapes
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Read more about Secretary Burgum must protect our monuments.
ActiveAction Secretary Burgum must protect our monuments. We are on the verge of what could be the largest rollback of protections for national parks and monuments in U.S. history.
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Read more about Protect Arizona Landscapes
ActiveAction Protect Arizona Landscapes Urge the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of the Interior to halt border wall construction in Arizona’s national parks and protect these irreplaceable landscapes. We must safeguard wildlife corridors and one-of-a-kind landscapes before it’s too late.
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Read more about Stop Bulldozing in Big Bend
ActiveAction Stop Bulldozing in Big Bend Federal government contractors are bulldozing through one of our country’s iconic national parks, Big Bend National Park, to build new border barriers and paved roads in this wild place. West Texas communities, precious park wildlife, and recreational access are all at risk. Urge your senators, your U.S. representative, and Governor Greg Abbott to ensure construction in Big Bend stops before more damage is done.
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Read more about Help Protect Mojave Desert Water
ActiveAction Help Protect Mojave Desert Water Stand in solidarity with the Chemehuevi Tribe and help protect the waters, wildlife, and public lands that make the Mojave Desert irreplaceable. Urge California decisionmakers to oppose Cadiz's groundwater extraction proposal and protect these sacred lands.
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— Tracy
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Read more about Yosemite Is Not for Sale
ActiveAction Yosemite Is Not for Sale Yosemite National Park is priceless, beloved by millions – and not for sale or exchange. Urge Secretary Burgum to reject a dangerous proposal that would provide a private developer with a piece of the park.
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Read more about Defending Wilderness in Our Parks
Advocacy in Action Defending Wilderness in Our Parks Many of the iconic places we know and love, from Crater Lake to the Great Smoky Mountains, still look the way they do because the Park Service has protected huge areas within the parks’ boundaries as wilderness for decades. Now all of that is at risk.
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Read more about Stop I-11 Through The Avra Valley: Protect Saguaro National Park
Advocacy in Action Stop I-11 Through The Avra Valley: Protect Saguaro National Park A proposed highway corridor threatens critical wildlife habitat and fragile desert landscapes at Saguaro National Park. NPCA is working to stop this destructive route and push for smarter options that protect our national parks and public lands.
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Read more about Protecting The Painted Hills
NPCA at Work Protecting The Painted Hills The Painted Hills, one of three park units that make up John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, are home to some of the rarest paleontological features in North America that tell a unique story of changing climate, and plant and animal life over millions of years. Through collaborative restoration and shared stewardship, NPCA and its partners are working to reconnect lands, strengthen the monument, and ensure that this remarkable landscape is permanently protected.
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Read more about Stop Unauthorized Mining in Mojave National Preserve
Advocacy in Action Stop Unauthorized Mining in Mojave National Preserve National parks are no place for foreign-owned mining operations
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Read more about New National Monument Protects the Greater Joshua Tree Landscape
Victory New National Monument Protects the Greater Joshua Tree Landscape In the face of threats of climate change and habitat loss, a new national monument will protect critical habitat, promote equitable access to nature, and preserve the desert's rich cultural history.
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Read more about National Parks in the Delaware River Watershed
NPCA AT WORK National Parks in the Delaware River Watershed The Delaware River watershed is known for the amazing recreational opportunities at its national parks and public lands, from paddling and hiking throughout the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and its National Wild and Scenic Rivers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, or learning about our nation’s history at First State National Historical Park in Delaware.
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Read more about Support the Proposed Chesapeake National Recreation Area
NPCA at Work Support the Proposed Chesapeake National Recreation Area The Chesapeake Bay is worth inclusion in the National Park System to enhance public access and protection.
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Read more about Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm Are National Treasures Worthy of Protection
NPCA at Work Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm Are National Treasures Worthy of Protection Protecting, interpreting and enhancing the history and environment at this urban oasis is critical. Unfortunately, development threats and underfunding have plagued this park site for decades.
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Read more about Don't Divide Our Habitats, Ecosystems and Communities
NPCA at Work Don't Divide Our Habitats, Ecosystems and Communities Oppose new walls and fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Read more about Keep Crater Lake Wild
NPCA at Work Keep Crater Lake Wild A wilderness designation will preserve Crater Lake, its wildlife and its outdoor recreation opportunities forever. It's time to give this iconic park the protection it deserves.
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Read more about Victory for Mojave National Preserve: Court Rules to Keep Block on Destructive Mining Development
Press Release Victory for Mojave National Preserve: Court Rules to Keep Block on Destructive Mining Development "Our parks were never meant for private profit, and that’s a legacy worth defending" - NPCA California Desert Associate Director Chance Wilcox
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Read more about Big Bend at Risk: Administration Appeals to Supreme Court in Border Case
Press Release Big Bend at Risk: Administration Appeals to Supreme Court in Border Case This appeal signals that the Trump administration wants to get back to building border infrastructure as soon as possible, and Big Bend National Park still faces a monumental threat.
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Read more about Chiricahua Renamed A National Park, Putting Spotlight on Sky Islands of Arizona
Press Release Chiricahua Renamed A National Park, Putting Spotlight on Sky Islands of Arizona "Keeping these places well cared for means America’s newest National Park needs restored staffing and funding, and we will continue to work with Congress to make sure Chiricahua can remain protected for generations to experience.”—Christina Hazard, NPCA's Legislative Director
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Read more about Private Interests Threaten More Parks
Blog Post Private Interests Threaten More Parks National parks belong to all of us. But land exchanges and development at two additional parks threaten to put private interests over public resources.
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Read more about Fossils: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Blog Post Fossils: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Celebrating ancient trackways, and all fossils, for National Fossil Day, Oct. 14.
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Read more about Federal Court Blocks Border Barrier Construction at Big Bend National Park
Press Release Federal Court Blocks Border Barrier Construction at Big Bend National Park Congress designated Big Bend National Park to protect our country’s natural wonders, and people come from all over the world to experience its star-filled skies and striking mountain ranges. Big Bend is no place for border barriers.
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Read more about NPCA and Partners Appeal State of Alaska’s Decision to Grant an Easement for the Ambler Mining Road
Press Release NPCA and Partners Appeal State of Alaska’s Decision to Grant an Easement for the Ambler Mining Road “...the proposed 211-mile Ambler Road would be a disaster for Gates of the Arctic National Preserve and the Western Arctic Caribou herd that crosses it" - Naawéiyaa Tagaban, NPCA Alaska Campaign Director
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Read more about We Toured Grand Staircase-Escalante After the Boundary Was Shrunk. Here’s What We Experienced
Blog Post We Toured Grand Staircase-Escalante After the Boundary Was Shrunk. Here’s What We Experienced With few signs and no detailed map to guide us, we drove down the geologic Grand Staircase — which is no longer fully protected, putting treasured natural and cultural resources at risk.
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Read more about FAQ: Sell-Off Efforts at Yosemite
Blog Post FAQ: Sell-Off Efforts at Yosemite We answer frequently asked questions about the administration’s proposal to sell off a piece of the park for private development.
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Read more about In Less Than a Month, Mining Claims Filed in Bears Ears Already Triple the Total Number Filed During Previous Trump Reduction
Press Release In Less Than a Month, Mining Claims Filed in Bears Ears Already Triple the Total Number Filed During Previous Trump Reduction “With 72 mining claims staked on lands withdrawn from Bears Ears over the last three weeks alone, the threat of a modern-day mineral rush has arrived at one of our nation’s most treasured landscapes." -Sara Cawley, Energy Director at the National Parks Conservation Association
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Read more about Reimagining the River
Report Reimagining the River A first look at potential recreation & economic opportunities along a restored Mississippi River in the Twin Cities.
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Read more about A Smarter Path Forward: Safeguarding National Parks Amid Explosive AI and Data Center Growth
Report A Smarter Path Forward: Safeguarding National Parks Amid Explosive AI and Data Center Growth The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is driving massive data center development across Virginia and the broader Mid-Atlantic region, demanding extraordinary amounts of land, water, and energy. The physical reality of this digital revolution is landing squarely on the doorsteps of our most treasured landscapes: the region’s national parks. Without new policies and frameworks for responsible growth, development pressures in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia increasingly threaten the region’s national parks.
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Read more about NPCA Rewind 2025
NPCA NPCA Rewind 2025 As the year comes to a close, join us as we recap all we’ve accomplished together for our national parks — the obstacles we’ve faced, the celebrations we’ve shared and the meaningful difference your support has made.
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Read more about A Victory for the Okefenokee
Resource A Victory for the Okefenokee NPCA helped protect Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from the threat of a damaging mine.
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Read more about Home Sweet Home? How NPCA is Helping Migrating Birds Return to the Appalachians
Report Home Sweet Home? How NPCA is Helping Migrating Birds Return to the Appalachians As Steve Goodman ventures deeper into the towering forest, he keeps his ears open and binoculars close. With a recording device on hand, he is on a quest to find a dazzling blue bird—and no, it’s not just for fun.
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Read more about Save the Dinosaurs
Podcast Episode Save the Dinosaurs Dinosaur National Monument preserves one of the richest collections of Jurassic remains on Earth. But could a push for energy development threaten this beloved park and its rare fossils?
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Read more about Monuments Protected Under the Antiquities Act
Resource Monuments Protected Under the Antiquities Act The Antiquities Act of 1906 is one of our nation's most important conservation tools. Used to safeguard and preserve federal lands and cultural and historical sites for all Americans to enjoy, 18 presidents have used this authority and have designated 168 national monuments.
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Read more about A New Monument for an Old Hero?
Podcast Episode A New Monument for an Old Hero? A proposed Chuckwalla National Monument near Joshua Tree National Park would protect the threatened Mojave Desert tortoise and help many other species thrive, including people.
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Read more about Sustaining Indiana Beaches
Resource Sustaining Indiana Beaches The scenic beaches of Indiana Dunes are disappearing. In order to sustain this critical asset to Indiana’s economy and quality of life, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must conduct a federal damage mitigation feasibility study.
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Read more about A Watershed Moment for the Chesapeake
Resource A Watershed Moment for the Chesapeake The largest estuary in North America, the Chesapeake Bay watershed encompasses 64,000 square miles including six states and the District of Columbia—it’s a thriving ecosystem that has sustained Native peoples for centuries and played a pivotal role in American history. With its ecological and cultural significance, the Chesapeake has become a symbol of the delicate balance between human activity and nature.
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Read more about A Sound Investment: Restoring the Great Lakes in Our National Parks
Report A Sound Investment: Restoring the Great Lakes in Our National Parks These success stories highlight the important role our national parks play in restoring the Great Lakes – the largest source of fresh water on the planet.
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Read more about Data Centers
Fact Sheet Data Centers Data centers are environmentally problematic in a variety of ways. Specifically, data centers consume as much energy as 25,000 households per year and millions of gallons of water a day. They also disrupt communities with noise and health violations. Data centers can threaten national parks and drinking water quality.
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Read more about What Is a National Monument?
Fact Sheet What Is a National Monument? A brief explanation of what these important public lands are and how they differ from national parks and other sites managed by the federal government.
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Read more about "Paving Tundra"
Documentary "Paving Tundra" Experience northeast Alaska’s national parks, wildlife and Alaska Native communities most impacted by the proposed Ambler mining road in this short documentary.
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Read more about Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study Area
Interactive Map Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study Area View a map of natural and cultural features.
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