NPCA | Top 10 Reasons to Reinvest in America's National Park Heritage

photo credit: National Park Service Historic Photograph Collection

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The national icons protected within the national park system are in trouble. These sites bring to life America's history and epitomize wonders of the natural world, they are a premier destination for American families as well as international travelers, and they realize the dreams of the great leaders that determined that "the parks contain the highest potentialities of national pride, national contentment, and national health." And yet, they are currently plagued with dilapidated historic buildings; education cutbacks; theft; traffic jams; marijuana farms operated by drug cartels; forests besieged by non-native insects; dirty restrooms; and crumbling artifacts.

NPCA has compiled a list of the Top 10 Reasons to Reinvest in America's National Park Heritage. With the 100th birthday of the National Park System approaching in 2016, we have a prime opportunity to renew our commitment to these national treasures and invest in their protection to ensure a healthy, happy birthday for the park system that continue to inspire the world.

For these, and countless other reasons our national parks need, and deserve the best we can give them, for all that they give to us. Read these pages to learn more about the chronic funding shortfalls that are crippling the National Park Service's ability to serve as guardian of the nation's heritage and the many ways that you can make a difference.

Did you know poaching will eliminate 19 species from the parks?

Did you know 90 percent of Americans say that they are drawn to national parks for the educational benefits, but funding shortfalls have resulted in only one interpreter per 100,000 visitors?

Did you know road and bridge repair needs exceed $3 billion?

Did you know two-thirds of the historic buildings and structures in the national parks are in need of repair?

Did you know more than half of the 100 million items in the Park Service's museum collections have yet to be catalogued or shared with visitors?

Did you know damages from 2004 storms exceed $50 million?

Did you know nearly 3 million acres of parkland are infected with invasive, non-native species?

Did you know more than 500 species completely new to science have been discovered in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Did you know an annual shortfall in excess of $600 million is affecting the condition of park visitor centers, trails, and restrooms?

Did you know visitors spent $10.6 billion in the towns surrounding national parks in 2001, and supported nearly 300,000 jobs in tourism-related businesses?

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