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FEATURED PARK
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is the epitome of Alaskan wilderness: big, wild, and remote. Earlier this year, Redoubt Volcano--one of the park's most dynamic geological features--grabbed national attention with its first eruption in 20 years. Air traffic around Anchorage (only 100-plus miles northeast of the volcano) was immediately diverted as Alaskans waited anxiously to see which direction prevailing winds would carry the volcanic ash.
But NPCA's Alaska Field Representative, Melissa Blair, was not about to let an erupting volcano keep her from visiting Lake Clark's remote communities. As soon as the initial 20-mile "no fly zone" around the volcano was reduced, Melissa and representatives of Trout Unlimited-Alaska were airborne in a small plane, carrying the latest news from the campaign to protect Lake Clark and southwest Alaska's wild salmon fishery from the proposed Pebble Mine--a highly-controversial industrial mining district adjacent to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve that would endanger park resources and the wild salmon fishery of southwest Alaska's Bristol Bay. Look for an action alert later this month to take action to save Lake Clark from industrial threats.
Watch the slideshow > >
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
Order Your Companion Book and DVDs Today
 Ken Burns' latest documentary, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, will be released in September 2009--which means you can pre-order the companion book and DVDs today! The 12-hour documentary will air on PBS stations during the last week of September.
Filmed over the course of more than six years in nature's most spectacular locales--including Acadia, Yosemite, the Everglades, and Gates of the Arctic--the film tells the story of people from every conceivable background who devoted themselves to saving precious portions of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded Americans of the full meaning of democracy. Read more about their stories in an interview with Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan in the spring issue of National Parks magazine.
If you pre-order a copy of the DVD or companion book by September 1 (for receipt in October), you and NPCA can both benefit. Just visit www.kenburnsnationalparks.com and enter promotion code NPCA2 at check out, or call 617.300.2612 and mention NPCA. You'll receive a 15 percent discount on the book or DVD, or a package containing each of them along with the film's soundtrack. A percentage of the proceeds benefits NPCA's park-protection efforts.
YOU'RE INVITED
Fee-Free Weekends in Your National Parks
 The National Park Service is making it more affordable than ever to visit national parks like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Rocky Mountain National Park.
On July 18-19 and August 15-16, entrance fees will be waived at more than 100 national parks across the country.
Learn more
Follow NPCA on Twitter
 The National Parks Conservation Association has launched a Twitter account! If you use Twitter, or have friends and family who do, be sure to follow NPCA for the latest national park news.
Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging site, which enables users to post short updates and link to additional information. Follow our updates about NPCA and the national parks so we can keep you abreast of national park news and the work we are doing to protect the parks. Check out our twitter page here: http://twitter.com/NPCA
OUR LATEST REPORT
Parks of Utah: Landscapes of Opportunity
 Large in area but small in population, Utah's Grand and San Juan counties have a long history of boom-and-bust economies that rely on natural resource extraction like uranium mining, ranching and livestock, and oil and gas development. These activities have long been permitted on our public lands--but as the commodity value ebbs and flows, so does the economic fortune of the communities relying on them. The role of natural resources in the local economy are well known--but less is known about the role national parks play. NPCA's Southwest Regional Office recently released a report that examines this question and looks at the economic significance and impact of national parks in southeastern Utah.
Landscapes of Opportunity: The Economic Influence of National Parks in Southeast Utah examines icon parks such as Arches and Canyonlands, and lesser-known gems like Hovenweep National Monument and Natural Bridges National Monument. The research shows that the parks are magnets for visitors and contribute to the sustained economic well being in Utah's Grand and San Juan counties.
The report identifies a decades-long trend showing that parks have provided a steady, sustained, and growing economic base in the service sector, along with new opportunities generated from new residents who move in to be closer to the parks.
The report encourages public officials and community leaders to make decisions about their future economic growth in a manner that protects this region’s extraordinary parks.
Read the full report > >
OUR LATEST REPORT
Center for the State of the Parks: The Battles for Missouri
 During the Civil War battles of Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge, Confederate and Union forces clashed over control of Missouri, a strategically located state with access to two of the country's main rivers--the Missouri and the Mississippi. Although Confederate forces prevailed at Wilson's Creek, they were unable to take control of Missouri. Union forces eventually gained control of the state after claiming victory at the subsequent Battle of Pea Ridge. Today, both battlefields are protected in two national parks: Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in Missouri and Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas.
NPCA's Center for State of the Parks recently completed a review of both parks' cultural and natural resources and determined that they are in "fair" condition. Historic viewsheds at both parks are threatened by adjacent development, which could make it more difficult for the National Park Service to interpret the historic battles. Development would also reduce open space and further strain natural resources, fragment wildlife habitat, and result in more pollution entering the park.
Although Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge face staffing and funding shortfalls, both parks are making the most of available resources--restoring historic structures and native habitats, providing high-quality interpretive programs and exhibits to the public, and incorporating green building techniques and environmentally-friendly practices.
Read the full report > > (PDF, 3.8 MB, 60 pages)
NPCA AT WORK FOR THE PARKS
Let the Waters Flow!
NPCA Celebrates an Everglades Restoration Victory!
 The Tamiami Trail, a road connecting Tampa to Miami, Florida, has blocked the natural flow of Everglades water from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay for the past 80 years. NPCA and our environmental partners have continuously fought to return the water to its historic flow pattern by replacing part of the road with a mile-long bridge, which would benefit Everglades National Park and revive Florida Bay's ecosystem.
On June 17, 2009, a federal judge lifted an injunction meant to stop construction of a one-mile bridge on the Tamiami Trail. This latest ruling means bridge construction will start immediately on the Tamiami Trail, bringing the Everglades one step closer to successful restoration. But it's going to take more than just one mile-long bridge to re-establish the region's vital water flows. Fortunately, the Park Service is currently planning to extend the bridge to replace even more of the Tamiami Trail.
NPCA and supporters of Everglades Restoration will be encouraged to weigh in on this issue during an upcoming public comment period. Stay tuned for upcoming action alerts about our fight to sustain wildlife and natural habitat in Everglades National Park.
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| Honor Your Friend or Loved One Today!
A tribute gift is a wonderful way to mark a special occasion, honor a friend or family member, and celebrate birthdays or anniversaries.
With the support of concerned citizens like you, NPCA provides innovative and independent solutions to the complex problems faced by our national parks, so that they will be preserved for the enjoyment of our children and grandchildren.
Make a Tribute Gift Today >> |
| Cash in Your Corks to Support NPCA!
We're excited to announce our new marketing partnership with Redwood Creek Wine!
NPCA is a featured non-profit friend in Redwood Creek's "Corkordinate" program.
When you enter the geographic coordinates printed on your Redwood Creek Wine cork at www.blazethetrail.com, you are whisked away on the web to a beautiful national park location and earn cork points. The site features NPCA magnets for "purchase" with your cork points, and a $2 donation comes back to NPCA for each magnet selected.
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 National Parks, our award-winning quarterly magazine, is an exclusive benefit of NPCA membership.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY >>
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TRAVEL WITH NPCA
Winter Wonderland in Yellowstone
February 4-9, 2010
In response to the continued praise for our New Year's in Yellowstone trip, NPCA now offers a February departure, too. If you can't make the winter holiday tour but still want to enjoy the solitude of snow-covered pine forests, this trip is for you.
Photograph wolves, elk, and bison, and witness the grandeur of the Old Faithful geyser as it erupts. Expert naturalists guide the way, sharing stories of wildlife encounters in America's first national park. Don't miss this chance to see Yellowstone in its most splendid season.
For more information please call us at 800.628.7275, email us at travel@npca.org, or go online to www.npca.org/travel. |
History, Nature, and Fun in Parks for 2009
The National Park Hospitality Association wants you to spend more time in the parks this year. And to prove it, they're offering some special opportunities to members of NPCA--from a five-day volunteer experience in Glacier National Park this September, to daily expert-led wildlife excursions in October on Grand Teton's magical Jenny Lake, to a wide array of other offers at Isle Royale, Sequoia, and Death Valley.
Not only do these experiences create a chance to forge lasting memories and introduce newcomers to the wonder of our national parks, they will allow you to see first-hand the positive changes brought about by NPCA's efforts to boost federal funding for the national parks. We encourage you to take advantage of these generous offers, and enjoy some time in the parks while also helping to protect them. Please visit http://www.parkpartners.org/~NPCA for more information.
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| Won't You Join Us?
By protecting our national parks, we will leave a rich natural, cultural, and historic legacy for our children and grandchildren--but we can't do it without your support. Won't you help us by giving a tax-deductible gift to NPCA today?
Donate now >>
Join today >>
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Feedback? Story ideas? Email us at npca@npca.org.
Are you having trouble making a donation online? Call us at 1.800.628.7275 Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time and one of our representatives will be able to assist you. |
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From All the Staff at NPCA,
Thank you for your time and dedication in helping to 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. Membership is just $25, 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!
Park Lines 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).
To learn more, visit us at www.npca.org
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