Sequoia National Park in California's Sierra Nevada mountains is a land of superlatives: It was the second national park to be designated in the U.S., boasts the tallest mountain in the continental U.S., and is home to the largest tree on earth. Mount Whitney's granite peak rises 14,505 feet above sea level and can be reached from the Giant Forest by expert hikers taking the arduous High Sierra trail. "General Sherman," a sequoia tree in the Giant Forest, is the world's most voluminous living tree specimen, standing 275 feet high with a base circumference of over 100 feet. The park's lower elevations feature spectacular waterfalls and more than 200 known caves of beautiful stalactites and naturally polished marble. Most of the park is secluded wilderness and backcountry, and can be reached only by hiking or horseback riding.

If You Go > > You must secure your food and any other scented items from black bears, which have been known to break into cars in search of snacks. The Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group has a list of approved food storage containers on their website: www.sierrawildbear.gov

View the slideshow > >

NPCA CAMPAIGN
Help keep loaded guns out of our parks!

Despite our aggressive attempts to keep the National Rifle Association (NRA) from pushing their political agenda to allow loaded guns in our national parks, NPCA alone couldn't stop their power. But you can. The Administration, caving to pressure from the NRA, has opened up the regulations to the public for comment. Take action to send your comments to the Department of the Interior (DOI) and tell them to keep loaded guns out of national parks!

Click here to send your comments now > >

NPCA REPORT
Dark Horizons: 10 National Parks Most Threatened by New Coal-Fired Power Plants

Our national parks are threatened by proposed coal-fired power plants. NPCA's new report, Dark Horizons, highlights the ten most threatened parks. It calls on the Administration to abandon its effort to permit more harmful air pollution near national parks.

"Instead of opening the door to more pollution in national parks such as Shenandoah, Great Basin, and Zion, the Administration should be working to secure a legacy that preserves America's national treasures for our children and grandchildren," says NPCA's Clean Air and Climate Programs director Mark Wenzler.

Read Our Report >>

Our interactive map shows just how close these proposed coal-fired power plants will be to our beloved national parks.

Check out our interactive map >>

Special Opportunity for Charitable Gift Annuities
Act Before June 30, 2008!

You can arrange for predictable income with favorable rates of return for your lifetime, plus sizable charitable tax deductions, by establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity with a gift of $10,000 or more.

Recently, the American Council on Gift Annuities approved lower rates that will take effect on July 1, 2008. By setting up your gift before then, you will receive the more attractive rates currently recommended.

Please call Morgan Dodd, director of gift planning, toll-free at 1.877.468.5775, or send an email to mdodd@npca.org for more information about how you can make a gift that will help NPCA protect our National Park System after your lifetime and increase your income today.

Morgan will be happy to prepare a personalized illustration of the income and tax benefits and send you our informative brochure, “Giving Through Gift Annuities.” To learn more now, please visit our website at www.npca.org/giftplanning

August 10-17, 2008
Experience the wonder of the world's largest freshwater sea and the national park's island wilderness in this unique wildlife ecology tour. Accompany leading ecologists in the field as you learn about the wolves and moose that inhabit this wooded and roadless paradise, and walk the trails to crystal clear waters within the island park. You'll enjoy the comfort of the scenic, lakeside Rock Harbor Lodge and witness the rugged shoreline and tranquil beauty that characterize Isle Royale National Park.

Moderately paced tour; no experience necessary.

For more information or to reserve your space, call 800.488.4080, email info@npcatravel.com, or visit www.npca.org/travel

IN THIS ISSUE

• Featured Park: Sequoia National Park
• NPCA Campaign: Keep Loaded Guns Out of Our Parks
• Our Latest Report: Dark Horizons
• Travel with NPCA
• You're Invited
• Thoughts for All Time

NPCA's Partners for the Parks are committed members who express their support for our national parks through an automatic monthly gift. It is a simple, convenient, and manageable way to protect and enhance our national parks. Together, we make a difference!

Join Partners for the Parks today >>

Are you having a tough time deciding what to get your dad for Father's Day on June 15? Or what about that college graduate?

NPCA and iGive are here to help make the decision a little easier. By simply purchasing your gifts (including gift certificates) through the iGive website, a percentage will come back to NPCA as a donation.

You can shop AND protect our national parks at the same time. So, how about a Home Depot gift certificate or a new TV from Circuit City for Dad; or a personalized gift from Colorful Images for that college graduate. Eight percent of that money will be donated back to NPCA!

So go ahead, shop smart! Visit www. iGive.com today and designate NPCA as your cause of choice!

Seattle, WA: Washington's National Parks: Sound Sanctuaries?--Now Until September 27, 2008
The National Parks Conservation Association is proud to feature the photography of internationally acclaimed photographer Art Wolfe.
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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.

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

"The American way of life consists of something that goes greatly beyond the mere obtaining of the necessities of existence. If it means anything, it means that America presents to its citizens an opportunity to grow mentally and spiritually, as well as physically. The National Park System and the work of the National Park Service constitute one of the Federal Government's important contributions to that opportunity."

-- Newton B. Drury, NPS Director, 1940-1951