FEATURED PARK
The White House, President's Park, Washington, D.C.
On January 20th, 2009, all eyes will be on Washington, D.C. as Barack Obama is sworn into office as the 44th president of the United States of America. After the swearing-in ceremony, the inaugural parade, and many inaugural balls, President Obama and his family will move into their new home, the White House. For more than 200 years the White House has been the private home of American presidents.
While the White House is a world-famous symbol of American democracy, not many know that it is also a national park. Known as President's Park, the site includes the White House, a visitor center, and Lafayette Park. President's Park also includes many gardens, such as the notable Rose Garden, site of many important presidential announcements and ceremonies.
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OUR LATEST REPORT
Center for the State of the Parks: Redwood National and State Parks
 There's more to Redwood National and State Parks than towering redwood trees. Visitors can also explore undeveloped rocky beaches; habitats that support threatened and endangered species; meandering rivers, streams, and creeks; several historic structures; and a rich human history.
According to a recent assessment by NPCA's Center for the State of the Parks, Redwood's natural and cultural resources are in "fair" condition overall. Although the park is a great example of federal and state cooperation, staff still struggle with an overall lack of funds and unfilled staff positions. Additional support is needed to help the park protect its iconic coast redwoods from threats such as illegal logging, which has occurred within the park. The trees, admired for their beauty, also provide critical habitat for the marbled murrelet, a seabird that comes inland to nest in the coast redwoods.
Learn more about the park and threats it faces > >
NPCA AT WORK IN THE PARKS
Gateway Arch Historic Landmark Preserved!
 In the last several months, NPCA has spurred national interest in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, more commonly known as the Gateway Arch. NPCA members have joined voices nationwide in calling for a respectful treatment of the grounds of this great national historic landmark in light of plans for new development. The Danforth Foundation, the St. Louis philanthropic organization interested in building a new "world-class" attraction on the grounds at the Arch, has announced that due in part to the economic downturn, it is stepping back from fast-tracking the facility.
As the National Park Service continues to craft the park's general management plan, our attention turns to developing an approach for a design competition at the Arch. This competition will inspire us to look at this treasured national monument and its historic landscape in new ways for tomorrow's visitors while retaining the true spirit and purpose of the park.
NPCA AT WORK IN THE PARKS
One Step Closer to Protecting Air Quality in the Smokies
 NPCA is involved in several lawsuits to protect national parks from the impacts of new coal-fired power plant pollution. Duke Energy's proposed Cliffside coal-fired power plant would be built in North Carolina, near Great Smoky Mountains National Park--already one of the most polluted parks in the country.
Duke Energy argued that it should not be required to strictly limit its most toxic air pollution. We disagreed. So did the judge presiding over the case. On December 2, 2008, the Federal District Court for the Western District of North Carolina told Duke Energy that it must comply with the laws that protect our air. As a result, Cliffside cannot be built unless the facility uses state-of-the-art technologies to reduce its most dangerous air pollutants, including mercury.
A New Year, New Opportunities for Our National Parks
 In December, President-elect Barack Obama finalized two key positions in his administration that will have an impact on the future of our national parks. Outlined below are the two park-related appointments to what the press has deemed the "green team."
Obama tapped Lisa Jackson as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator. As some of our most ardent supporters, you know that we've been working hard to ensure clean-air protections for our national parks. While we've had some challenges working with the current administrator of the EPA, NPCA is confident that Ms. Jackson will work with NPCA and other conservation allies to ensure clean air for our national parks. She currently serves as the head of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and has many years of experience in conservation.
President-Elect Obama named Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) as his choice for Secretary of the Interior. This department oversees the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service--all key agencies that have important responsibilities when it comes to our national parks.
Sen. Salazar has been an outstanding leader in national park protection in the U.S. Senate. He has championed the strengthening of the parks' management policies, advocated to address the parks' chronic funding needs, led the introduction of the National Park Centennial Challenge, and worked to harness the educational power of our national parks for our children and grandchildren.
NPCA is looking forward to what a new administration means for our national parks, and we hope you'll be there with us. With change comes new direction--and new challenges. We will continue to work with Congress and the President to ensure that our national parks are restored to their glory by 2016.
REINVESTING IN OUR NATIONAL PARKS
Providing Positive Solutions for People and Parks
 NPCA believes that reinvesting in our national parks can put Americans to work in difficult economic times and restore the parks for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.
As the new Congress convenes in January, the economic stimulus package will be a top priority. NPCA has suggested that the package include projects in our national parks, which would create meaningful jobs while restoring our national treasures.
The National Park Service has hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of employment-producing projects that are ready to go, if they receive the needed funding. These include road construction and maintenance, trail repair, facility refurbishment, abandoned mine restoration, energy conservation measures, and other job-producing endeavors that will also help restore our national parks.
A recent study commissioned by NPCA also found that every federal dollar invested in national parks generates at least four dollars in direct economic benefit to state and local economies.
NPCA was the only national conservation organization invited to testify about the stimulus before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in December. In January, NPCA will continue our work on Capitol Hill to bring these ready-to-go projects to the attention of members of Congress. Our hope is that the final economic stimulus bill will include this essential funding for national parks.
Did You Know?
 Construction on the White House began in 1792. President John Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved into the nearly completed house in 1800.
The president's home has been known as the White House since 1901 when President Theodore Roosevelt made the name official by including it on his stationery.
Read More about the history of the White House in "An American Home," featured in the Winter 2009 issue of National Parks magazine.
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