WHERE WE WORK

By John Wilson, Associate Regional Director

It comes as no surprise to park advocates that the budget woes of the national parks continue to grow. After more than a decade of decreasing budgets but increased demands on park resources, National Park Service (NPS) superintendents are facing tough choices that affect the future of the parks. A recent report by the independent Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Congress confirms what we have all seen in America’s national parks: NPS budgets are shrinking and this is taking a toll on the health of the parks and visitor experience.

In addition to an annual system-wide operating budget deficit now estimated at more than $800 million (according to NPCA’s Center for Park Management), the park maintenance and construction backlog has been pegged at between $4.5 billion and $9.7 billion. Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Teton national parks are far from immune from these budget shortfalls.

In recent months, the Northern Rockies Regional Office (NRRO) has begun building alliances with state, regional, and local tourism organizations and gateway community business leaders to amass the political capital needed to reverse this dismal funding crisis.

In the Flathead Valley south of Glacier National Park, NPCA has established dynamic alliances with regional and local tourism organizations. Together we have met with congressional leaders on park funding issues and co-authored numerous guest editorials on the park funding crisis. In gateway towns outside Yellowstone, communities and tourism organizations have passed resolutions supporting park funding and have traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak with Montana’s congressional delegation. Similar activities are underway in the communities near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Just this summer, the park funding crisis was adopted as a top issue by Montana tourism groups. They will be taking that message to Washington, D.C. in September when the Travel Industry of America holds their annual summit and meets with their respective congressional delegations to urge increased funding for the parks.

In addition to meeting face to face with business and tourism allies, NPCA’s research and publication of fact-based reports gives communities what they need to advocate for parks. NPCA’s State of the Parks® assessments, Center for Park Management NPS budget analyses, and NRRO’s own economic studies (Gateway to Glacier (2003), World-Class Assets (2005), and Gateways to Yellowstone (2006) are datadriven arguments for the relationship between healthy parks and healthy communities.

Obtaining full park funding by 2016—upon the centennial of the National Park System—is one of NPCA’s key strategic priorities for the decade ahead. Our innovative and effective alliance with the tourism industry and with leaders in gateway communities brings us closer to attaining that important goal.

To learn more or to fi nd out how you can become involved in park advocacy efforts, contact John Wilson at (406) 495-1560 or send an email to jwilson@npca.org.