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FEATURED PARK
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns has created a sweeping documentary film about our national parks. The National Parks: America's Best Idea, a six-episode series, will premiere September 27th on PBS stations. The first episode of the film, “Scriptures of Nature” covers the years 1851-1890 and features Yellowstone National Park—America's first true national park.
Burns tells the stories of explorers like Nathaniel Langford and Ferdinand Hayden who explored the Yellowstone region and shared their art and photography to help convince the public of the region's grandeur. Through their efforts and that of many others, on March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the "Act of Declaration" that created Yellowstone National Park. Today it is a world-class treasure that belongs to all Americans.
We invite you to watch the entire series to learn more about Yellowstone, our national parks, and the outstanding people who created and protected the parks. Host a premiere party and invite friends and family to share the experience with you.
Watch the slideshow > >
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
New Film Pays Tribute to a Uniquely American Institution
 Ken Burns has spent his career telling the stories of American experiences. His new film, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, tells the story of our national parks and how they came to be. It is the story of Americans from all walks of life--artists, explorers, soldiers, scientists, vacationers--rich and poor, who fell in love with special American places and worked to save those places for everyone to enjoy. It is a uniquely American story and reminds us about what is best about our history and treasured landscapes.
The 12-hour film follows the development of the national parks from their beginnings in the 19th century through 1980. Told from many perspectives and coupled with stunning cinematography, the film illustrates the creation of a uniquely American idea--nowhere else in history had large tracts of lands been set aside for the people. Today the parks exist for all Americans to enjoy for the ages.
We invite you to learn more about the film on a specially designed section of NPCA's website devoted to the film:
- See a detailed overview of the episodes
- Learn how to host a premiere house party
- Read an interview with Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan
- Send an ecard
- Learn about today's national park champions
Learn More > >
"FEEL FREE"
National Parks Week NYC
September 19-27, 2009
 NPCA is excited to invite you to National Parks Week NYC, a week-long series of events in New York City, September 19-27, 2009. During National Parks Week NYC, a series of public events will celebrate the rich history of our national parks and launch a national dialogue about the future of the parks as they enter their second century. National Parks Week NYC will provide countless opportunities to entertain and educate the whole family, from a Lantern Tour of Fort Wadsworth to Grant's Tomb After Dark and an Evening Tour of Liberty Island.
The signature event of the week, "Feel Free: A National Parks Celebration in Central Park," is an evening of music and film in Central Park's East Meadow on Wednesday, September 23 starting at 7:00 p.m. It will feature highlights from Ken Burns's new PBS documentary, and musical acts by an array of talented performers including Eric Benet, Gavin DeGraw, Jose Feliciano, Carole King, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas and Peter Yarrow; with a special performance by Counting Crows and Augustana.
Join NPCA, Ken Burns, Dayton Duncan, and PBS for this outstanding event.
For a complete list of events and more information about National Parks Week NYC, visit www.feelfree.org.
National Public Lands Day
Lend a Hand for America's National Parks on September 26th!
 Saturday, September 26, 2009 is National Public Lands Day, a nationwide volunteer effort to enhance America's public lands. Last year 120,000 volunteers heeded the call to service and worked on public lands across America.
NPCA is hosting hands-on volunteer activities in national parks across the country. Volunteers will count wildlife, remove invasive species, maintain trails, clean campgrounds, and more.
If you're interested in volunteering, please contact one of these NPCA event coordinators for more information:
Big Thicket National Preserve (TX), Suzanne Dixon, sdixon@npca.org, 214.383.5381
Capitol Reef National Park (UT), Karen Hevel-Mingo, khevel-mingo@npca.org 801.521.0785
Joshua Tree National Park (CA), Mike Cipra, mcipra@npca.org, 760.366.7785
Mount Rainier National Park (WA), Bethany Van Etten, bvanetten@npca.org, 206.903.1444
Valley Forge National Historical Park (PA), Cinda Waldbuesser, cwaldbuesser@npca.org, 215.327.2529
Want to learn more about other Public Lands Day events around the country? Visit http://www.publiclandsday.org
TRAVEL WITH NPCA
National Parks of the Virgin Islands
March 5-14, 2010
 Disconnect from your hectic home life and reconnect with your national parks on an unforgettable journey to the Virgin Islands in March. Rejuvenate your senses while hiking the lushly vegetated hillsides of St. John or snorkeling in Coral Reef National Monument, then lose yourself on secluded, white sand beaches near the Caneel Bay Resort, where you'll be staying. Join NPCA for this unique opportunity to not only escape, but experience a world of rich cultural history and diverse natural resources. For more information please call us at 800.628.7275, email us at travel@npca.org, or visit us online.
OUR LATEST REPORTS
Climate Change and National Park Wildlife: A Survival Guide for a Warming World
New NPCA report highlights climate impacts on park wildlife, solutions
 In the next few months, as the Senate works on climate-change legislation, NPCA staff members are meeting with Senators to educate them on the importance of safeguarding national parks and their wildlife from climate change. We will also be showing them our newly released report, Climate Change and National Park Wildlife: A Survival Guide for a Warming World.
The report describes five actions that can help safeguard national park wildlife from climate change; eleven wildlife profiles, from migratory birds to grizzly bears; and dozens of national park stories, from the Arctic to the Caribbean!
As both houses of Congress review the bill’s language and make inevitable revisions and compromises, we need your support to ensure that key natural resource protections remain in both versions of the legislation. Expect to hear from us soon with an appeal to contact your Senator to express the importance of safeguarding national parks and their wildlife from climate change.
Read the full report > >
Scotts Bluff National Monument
 NPCA's Center for the State of the Parks recently released an assessment of the condition of cultural and natural resources at Scotts Bluff National Monument. This park in western Nebraska is home to natural landmarks--Scotts Bluff and South Bluff--that helped to guide pioneers traveling westward along the Oregon, California, Mormon, and Pony Express Trails during the 19th century. Wagon ruts left behind by these travelers are still visible in the park. Also protected are paintings and other artwork by William Henry Jackson, as well as native mixed-grass prairie that supports many plant and animal species. According to the Center for the State of the Parks assessment, cultural resources and natural resources at Scotts Bluff National Monument are in "fair" condition.
Monument staff are doing all they can to protect Scotts Bluff's natural and cultural treasures with the resources available, but a lack of funds makes it difficult to care for 1930s structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the park's maintenance backlog is growing. Invasive non-native species are problems in some parts of the park, while fragmentation of the adjacent landscape isolates native habitats within the park.
In the face of these and other challenges, staff at Scotts Bluff National Monument are accomplishing important resource-protection projects--including removal of some of the worst invasive plant species. Read the full report > >
Your Leadership. Your Legacy.
 Become a Trustees for the Parks member today and join a key circle of visionary leaders in national park protection. With your leadership contribution of $1,000 or more you will help us protect our greatest cultural, historic, and natural treasures, our national parks, for our children and grandchildren. As a Trustee for the Parks your significant investment in NPCA's critical mission can be the footprint you leave behind.
As a token of our appreciation for becoming a Trustee for the Parks, you will receive a beautiful, newly released coffee table book titled, The National Parks: Our American Landscape, by award-winning photographer Ian Shive.
To join, or to share your love of the parks, click here.
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| Host A Premiere Party
The National Parks: America's Best Idea, a six-episode film about our national parks, will premiere September 27th on PBS stations.
Share your love of the national parks and host a film premiere house party.
Learn More >>
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OUR LATEST CAMPAIGN
Urge Congress to Pass the Public Lands Service Corps Act
This fall, Congress will consider legislation that would create the Public Lands Service Corps, which would provide much-needed service for our national parks and other public lands.
For many Americans, the Public Lands Service Corps could be the answer to the question, What can I do to help protect our national parks? But this amazing opportunity for parks and people will not happen unless Congress takes action.
Write to your members of Congress today and urge them to pass the Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2009.
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Spread the Word
Save the Date: September 27, 2009
Help spread the word about the premiere of Ken Burns's important film by sending a free ecard. Tell your friends and colleagues to save the date and let them know why you think it's important to watch. Each card features a beautiful scene from our national parks.
Send an Ecard >>
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| America's National Parks Are National Treasures
Won't you please help us ensure that our national parks are well-protected, well-funded, and well-managed for our children and grandchildren?
Give a Tax Deductible Gift Today
Donate now >>
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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 |
Breaking the Color Barrier in the Great American Outdoors
September 23 to 26, 2009
Atlanta, Georgia
This September, a unique conference, Breaking the Color Barrier in the Great American Outdoors will showcase the broad diversity among Americans who are involved in protecting our environment, conserving our natural treasures, and performing extraordinary feats of personal accomplishment in the Great Outdoors.
Highlights of the conference include a keynote address by Bob Stanton, Deputy Assistant Secretary Policy and Program Management, U. S. Department of the Interior, speaking on "Our Natural, Cultural and Historic Treasures in the Public Lands System."
Learn More > >
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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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| THOUGHTS FOR ALL TIME
"Whether your ancestors came over on the Mayflower or just arrived, whether you're from a big city or a rural setting, whether your daddy owns the factory or your mother is a maid, you are the owner of some of the best seafront property this nation's got. You own magnificent waterfalls, you own stunning views of mountains and... gorgeous canyons--they belong to you, they're yours. And all that's asked of you is to put it in your will, for your children, so that they can have it too. Now that's quite a bargain."
--Dayton Duncan, Writer, Episode 4, The National Parks: America's Best Idea
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NPCA | 1300 19th Street, NW | Suite 300 | Washington. DC 20036 | 800.NAT.PARK | npca@npca.org |
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