FEATURED PARK
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, Tennessee
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, Tennessee, commemorates the life and times of Andrew Johnson, a 19th-century politician who became president of the United States after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Johnson was buried in 1875 near his home atop Signal Hill, a site that has since expanded to become the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery. Still in use today, the cemetery honors the service of all Americans who fought and served their country from the Civil War to the Gulf War.
This Veterans Day, on Tuesday, November 11th, we invite you to visit Andrew Johnson National Cemetery, or one of the many other national parks, monuments, battlefields, and historic sites that honor our veterans. The Park Service has announced that all military members, active and retired, and their families will be admitted free-of-charge to all national parks on Veterans Day in appreciation for their service!
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OUR LATEST REPORT
Center for the State of the Parks: Andrew Johnson National Historic Site
 According to a recent assessment of Andrew Johnson National Historic Site by NPCA's Center for the State of the Parks, the site's cultural resources are in good condition overall. Even so, park staff are concerned that they won't be able to keep the park in good condition without additional funding and staff.
Park staff are especially struggling to maintain the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery, one of only two active cemeteries operated by the National Park Service. With just two full-time maintenance staff, they're behind schedule in placing headstones above recent graves, and struggle to keep up with basic maintenance like mowing the grass that surrounds the cemetery's more than 1,800 headstones.
Learn more about the park and threats it faces > >
NPCA AT WORK IN THE PARKS
NPCA Opens New Office in Arizona
 NPCA's Southwest Regional office has opened its first field office in Tucson, Arizona. With 24 national park units, Arizona is on the front line of our regional park protection work.
Kevin Dahl, an Arizona native, will be managing our work in this remarkable state. Kevin has a long history in the conservation world, having served as Executive Director of Native SEED Search, a regional seed conservation group, and the Tucson Audubon Society. He has the background and dedication to build a strong and vocal constituency of national park advocates in Arizona.
Challenges facing our national parks in Arizona are diverse and profound. Threats to the parks include uranium mining issues at the Grand Canyon, urban sprawl and encroachment at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, and border/immigration issues at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Together with Kevin's work and the support of members and supporters like you, we can protect these iconic national parks.
Explore the Parks of Arizona > >
NPCA AT WORK IN THE PARKS
Biscayne National Park Turns 40
 On October 18th NPCA celebrated the 40th anniversary of Biscayne National Park--the park that almost wasn't designated as a park because of intense development pressures in the 1960s. This historic event honored the achievements of conservationists who finally, in 1968, secured Biscayne National Park for future generations.
Biscayne, the largest marine park in the National Park System, is 95 percent underwater, contains the third-largest coral reef system in the world, and boasts the longest stretch of mangrove forest remaining on Florida's east coast. Its unique habitats draw more than 500,000 visitors annually, provide more than 400 local jobs, and generate an estimated $23 million for the local economy.
And to think, this beautiful park on the bay could have become an oil refinery, a deep-water port, a line of causeways and condos, or a noisy landscape where planes would begin their descent toward a commercial airport.
NPCA held a day-long symposium to discuss the park's diverse history, the status of its marine resources, and the myriad of ways local conservationists can continue to ensure that Biscayne National Park will be adequately funded and protected beyond the National Park Service's Centennial in 2016.
U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson spoke about the importance of protecting this unique treasure from encroaching development, nuclear power plant expansion, and competing water interests. Their words remind us that we need to work hard and stay vigilant to ensure that our children and grandchildren will someday create their own cherished memories in the clear waters of Florida Bay.
TRAVEL WITH NPCA
Indiana Dunes & Crane Dances
 Join NPCA this March for a guided weekend at the world-famous Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, just outside Chicago, and discover the diverse natural resources and quiet beauty of this dramatic environment. Listen as our guide interprets the area's distinctive dune and wetland plant life. Witness the spring migration of waterfowl and raptors on a peaceful morning's walk. Observe the "courtship dances" of thousands of sandhill cranes at a wildlife area south of the national lakeshore.
For more information or to reserve your space, call us at 800.628.7275, email us at travel@npca.org, or go online to www.npca.org/travel.
Become a Trustees for the Parks' member!
 With cooler, shorter days quickly approaching, it's a great time to hunker down and plan ahead. Perhaps you'd like to get in shape, reconnect with loved ones, or travel around the country to our beautiful national parks. As you consider your goals for 2009, we hope you'll keep NPCA in mind and consider becoming a Trustees for the Parks' member!
As a Trustee for the Parks, you will be one of our visionary leaders who understand the value and importance of our national parks and historical heritage. Annual gifts of $1,000 or more help NPCA continue our work to ensure that our National Park System can be enjoyed and treasured by our children and grandchildren. Plus, you'll receive exclusive mailings specifically designed for our Trustees for the Parks' members, invitations to special events, and special travel opportunities.
As a token of our appreciation for becoming a Trustees for the Parks' member, we will send a copy of Our National Parks, a beautiful coffee table book by renowned photographer David Muench.
To join, or for more information, click here or contact Michele Gehrig, Trustees for the Parks Manager at mgehrig@npca.org or at 1.800.628.7275, ext. 290.
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