In This Issue
Featured Park: Katmai National Park & Preserve
You Can Help!
Make National Parks a National Priority
Everglades Conference Spotlights National Parks
The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program
Help Us Thank Oprah for Supporting National Parks!
Travel with NPCA: Glacier National Park: Mountains, Rivers & Powwows
You Are Invited to NPCA's Annual Awards Gala
Featured Park: Katmai National Park & Preserve
President Woodrow Wilson established Katmai National Monument in 1918 to preserve the "Valley of 10,000 Smokes," so named when the Novarupta Volcano filled the valley with a 100- to 700-foot-deep ash flow. The "smokes" were created when water trapped underneath the ash flow turned to steam and escaped to the surface. Today, the Valley of 10,000 Smokes is still a spectacular visitor destination, though all that's left of the smokes are colorful fumaroles.*
In addition to its volcanic history, Katmai is also known for its sportfishing and bear viewing at locations such as Brooks River. For decades, rainbow trout that grew fat on spawning salmon eggs drew anglers from all over the world. New brown bear viewing opportunities developed in 1980 when the monument was expanded and renamed Katmai National Park & Preserve. In fact, brown bear viewing is now more popular with visitors than fishing.
But bears don't recognize park boundaries and will follow their noses in search of food, even if it means wandering into areas where they can be hunted. Katmai's brown bears are being over-hunted in Katmai National Preserve (where hunting is legal) and could soon be hunted for the first time in 22 years on state lands within Katmai National Park. NPCA is asking our supporters to write the Alaska Board of Game and urge them to protect this iconic bear. Take Action Now > >
Watch the Slideshow > >
You Can Help!
From our regional office in Anchorage, NPCA is working every day to protect the Katmai bears and address issues affecting all 15 of Alaska's national park units. Across the nation, we are conducting research, designing solutions to park problems, and working with people like you to advocate for our incredible national parks. Your financial support makes all of this possible. Please make a generous contribution today! > >
Make National Parks a National Priority
America's national parks need urgent help. Chronic underfunding has led to disrepair, a shortage of rangers, and too few educational programs. The Bush Administration has submitted a budget that includes a $258 million increase for national parks operations, an unprecedented number. With a new Congress in Washington, we have a tremendous opportunity to increase funding for the parks and reinvigorate the park system by its 100th birthday in 2016! Sign our petition asking Congress to fully fund our national parks!
Sign our petition today >>
Everglades Conference Spotlights National Parks
In January, NPCA and the Everglades Coalition hosted its 22nd Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. This alliance of 48 conservation and environmental organizations, including NPCA, brings together individuals, organizations, and agencies working toward Everglades restoration.
At this year's conference, NPCA sponsored an evening reception and dinner to honor national parks and spotlight NPCA's "5 Ways to Fix Our Parks" campaign. The Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and NPCA President Tom Kiernan also spoke about the importance of restoring America's Everglades.
In addition, NPCA awarded the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Award to Lloyd Miller for his critical role in establishing Biscayne National Park. Other dignitaries who addressed the Coalition included Senator Nelson (D-FL), Florida Governor Charlie Crist, State Senators Lee Constantine and David Aronberg, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Sole, and Florida Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham.
Following with this year's theme, "From Kissimmee to the Keys: Standing Firm for Everglades Restoration," the Everglades Coalition released its Essential Priorities for the future of the entire ecosystem.
The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program
The Underground Railroad was the name given to the informal network of routes, safe houses, and allies that helped shelter and guide enslaved African Americans during their journey to freedom. The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program was established by Congress in 1998, as the only national program designed to increase public knowledge and awareness of the Underground Railroad. The network has members (institutions, programs, and facilities) in 27 states and the District of Columbia, and over 285 programs, sites, and/or facilities listed in the network.
With its original annual operations budget set at $500,000 a year, the Network to Freedom has suffered from inadequate funding since its inception. Flat-line budgets and program cuts have now reduced its actual budget to $479,000. Legislation now pending before the 110th Congress would reauthorize the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act to provide funding and staffing levels more appropriate to the real needs of the Network to Freedom program. A $2 million funding increase would resolve the financial burdens that threaten the existence of this program and allow its staff to pursue and fulfill their Congressional mandate "to honor and interpret the history of the Underground Railroad."
For more information on how you can help save the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program, contact Alan Spears at 202-454-3384 or aspears@npca.org
Learn More >>
Help Us Thank Oprah for Supporting National Parks!
Have you seen the February issue of O, The Oprah Magazine? The publisher generously printed NPCA's new public service ad on page 62 in the magazine. Publishers have no obligation to run free advertising for nonprofits like NPCA, so please join us in kindly thanking Oprah for this terrific support for NPCA and our national parks. Your letter might just encourage the magazine to pay more attention to our parks!
Click here to send an e-mail to the magazine > >
Travel with NPCA
Glacier National Park: Mountains, Rivers & Powwows
June 26 - July 2, 2007
Join us for a journey into the heart and soul of Montana. Attend a traditional powwow with a Native American guide who can explain the significance of the different dances, drumming teams, songs, and chants. Along with this cultural immersion, you will delve into the breathtaking landscape of Glacier National Park and partake in a variety of activities including hiking, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, and wildlife watching.
Click here for more trip details > >
You Are Invited to NPCA's Annual Awards Gala
Salute to the Parks: Protecting America's Heritage
March 28, 2007
Washington, D.C.
On March 28, NPCA will host its annual awards gala at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. This year's William Penn Mott Jr. Park Leadership Award will be presented to Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) for his outstanding commitment to the protection of America's natural and cultural heritage. This year's Robin W. Winks Award for Enhancing Public Understanding of National Parks will be presented to The National Geographic Society for more than 100 years of publishing materials that educate readers about the majestic beauty and cultural significance of America's national parks. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will offer remarks on the National Parks Centennial Challenge.
Not only is this a wonderful celebration of our parks, it's a chance to support NPCA's work. Individual tickets can be purchased for $500 or $1,000, and are limited to 5 tickets per person. Want more seats? Table purchases start at $10,000. For more information about the event, contact Elizabeth Jordan at ejordan@npca.org or 800-628-7275.
*Did You Know?
Fumaroles are vents in the Earth's crust that allow gases and steam to escape. They usually occur near areas of volcanic activity. The Valley of 10,000 Smokes in Katmai National Park & Preserve once featured thousands of these vents. Exploring the valley after the Novarupta volcano erupted in 1912, Robert F. Griggs, saw thousands of fumaroles and wrote, "The whole valley as far as the eye could reach was full of hundreds, no thousands--literally, tens of thousands--of smokes curling up from its fissured floor." Yellowstone National Park is another good place to see fumaroles, with an estimated 4,000 fumaroles in the park.
From All the Staff at NPCA,
Thank you for your time and dedication to helping enhance and protect our national parks for present and future generations.
NPCA's park protection work is made possible by the generous support of people like you. An introductory membership is just $15, and includes a subscription to our award-winning National Parks magazine, recently recognized for excellence in coverage of environmental tourism by the Society of American Travel Writers. Join us Today!
National Park Explorer is a publication of the National Parks Conservation Association. E-mail us at TakeAction@npca.org, write to us at 1300 19th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036, or call us at 800-NAT-PARK (800-628-7275).
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