Search results for “Heather Lukacs and Scott Kirkwood”
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Land Based Trip Bears, Whales and Glaciers: Lake Clark and Kenai Fjords National Parks Explore two of Alaska’s most stunning National Parks — Kenai Fjords and Lake Clark — and discover a deep connection to nature in some of North America’s wildest places. Incredible scenery abounds, from Alaska’s rugged coastline and tidewater glaciers to lush mountain valleys covered with colorful wildflowers. This trip is a wildlife lover’s delight — we’ll visit prime habitats to seek whales and bears, among other Alaskan wildlife. Your NPCA expert guides will lead you through hard-to-access and lesser-known areas of the parks, while providing in-depth information on the important role of NPCA and key local partners in the ongoing efforts to preserve Alaska’s bear coast.
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Blog Post Your Winter Reading List for Exploring Parks and U.S. History Winter is a blissful time to curl up with a good book. Alan Spears, NPCA’s senior director of cultural resources, offers his latest picks — both fiction and non-fiction — to engage your mind and pique your curiosity about people and places that shaped our country.
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Blog Post Oil and Gas Drilling Near Parks: Why Reform Is Needed Now Did you know 86% of lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management are open to oil and gas leasing and fossil fuel extraction? We now have a chance to reform how oil and gas drilling takes place on millions of acres of public land.
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Press Release Report: Endangered Species Act is a Win-Win for National Parks and Imperiled Species Amid ongoing political attacks on the Endangered Species Act, a new report explores the mutual and far-reaching benefits of the law to threatened and endangered fish, plants and wildlife as well as national parks.
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Land Based Trip On the Road to Freedom: Understanding Civil Rights Through our National Parks and Heritage Areas This transformative journey takes you through some of the most significant sites in the American Civil Rights Movement. See how NPCA is protecting the rich history of this region and get an opportunity to meet with some of the faithful foot soldiers and hear their stories of survival, bravery and their fight for justice.
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Press Release $1B Investment in Toxic Pollution Clean-up a ‘Game-Changer’ for Great Lakes, Parks and Communities Cleaning up this corridor, which extends for 100 miles through northern Ohio and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, will be good for the people and wildlife that visit and call this area home.
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Blog Post Making Waves: A Q&A with NPCA’s New President and CEO Theresa Pierno Theresa Pierno just took the helm as NPCA's president and CEO—the first woman to serve in this role in the organization’s 96-year history. Learn more about her distinguished environmental career, her accomplishments since joining NPCA, and her passions and priorities for national parks on the verge of their second century.
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Blog Post 5 Major Victories for Wildlife, Water and Public Lands After years of advocacy work, NPCA scored massive wins for Alaska’s caribou, conservation of public lands and waterways, and protection of national parks from future oil and gas drilling.
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Press Release With Repeal of Clean Power Plan, Administration Prioritizes Polluters over the Health of People and National Parks "Administrator Pruitt continues to put the interests of polluters over the air that we breathe, and denies facts about climate science and the effective actions required to protect the public and our parks.”
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Blog Post Remembering the Manongs and Story of the Filipino Farm Worker Movement In the 1920s and 30s, Filipino immigrants arrived in the United States seeking fortune but facing discrimination as they worked in the vast agricultural fields of the West. These “manongs” played a significant role in building the farm workers movement, organizing and striking alongside Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.
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Press Release As Threats to National Parks Increase, President Biden Calls for More Funding and Staffing “It’s critical for Congress to follow the President’s lead and support a reinvestment in America’s national parks. We must reverse course now, and fast, before our parks are pushed into an even deeper financial hole." - Theresa Pierno, NPCA's President and CEO
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Press Release Parks, outdoor groups celebrate strengthened air pollution standards as a win for people and parks "These stronger standards will provide additional clean air protection for national parks, from Sequoia and Kings Canyon in California to Gateway Arch and Mammoth Cave National Parks in Missouri and Kentucky." —Ulla Reeves, Interim Director of NPCA's Clean Air Program
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Blog Post Taking Our Lands and Waters Off the Auction Block Last week's moratorium on offering public lands and waters for oil and gas development is a critical first step toward a more just and sustainable energy future.
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Press Release Successes Mount as Funds Fix Our National Parks, Create Jobs and Support Local Economies “These funds brought hope and once again showed where the American people want Congress to invest. Congress must build on this momentum and extend this funding to fix more national parks.” - Theresa Pierno, NPCA's President and CEO
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Press Release National Parks and Communities Reeling from Numerous Disasters Face Uncertainty as Government Shutdown Nears "The only way to fix this situation is for both parties in Congress to come together, do their job and get parks and communities the support they need, and fast.” - Theresa Pierno, NPCA's President & CEO
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Press Release Proposed Manhattan Project National Historical Park Would Help U.S. Remember and Learn From History Three sites are proposed for park to interpret and facilitate discussion surrounding the complex stories of the Manhattan Project and the resulting impacts of atomic power and nuclear technology
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Press Release Conservationists Unveil Blueprint for Protecting Wildlife and Drivers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park New research from NPCA and Wildlands Network identifies wildlife hotspots in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- and how to protect them.
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Policy Update NPCA Letter to DOI, EPA and NARA urging pause on certain public activities due to COVID-19 NPCA President and CEO Theresa Pierno, along with partners, submitted the following letter to Secretary Bernhardt (DOI), Administrator Ferriero (NARA), and Administrator Wheeler (EPA) requesting a pause to public comment periods on active rulemaking and non-rulemaking notices within their respective agencies.
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Press Release Common sense update could safeguard national parks from reckless oil and gas development “These long-overdue reforms are crucial to safeguarding national parks and surrounding communities, landscapes and waterways from harmful oil and gas development" -- NPCA's Matt Kirby
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Press Release Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Weak Plan Will Not Protect Biscayne National Park We urge NPS officials in South Florida to adopt stronger protections than FWC’s and call on Governor Ron DeSantis and fellow elected leaders in Florida to stand up for South Florida’s world-renowned fish, reefs and waters.
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Press Release Parks Group Welcomes Western Solar Plan, Calls for Responsible Development to Protect National Parks and Surrounding Landscapes “We see the dramatic impact of climate change on our national parks every day. That’s why we need a transition to renewable energy that makes sure solar development is sited quickly and where it makes the most sense, minimizing harm to national parks and the communities they support."–Matt Kirby, NPCA's Senior Energy and Landscape Conservation Director
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Press Release BLM Plan Proposes Opening 1.2 Million Acres in California to Fracking, Threatening Parks and Monuments Cesar E. Chavez National Monument, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area are among the public lands that could see oil and gas development nearby if the BLM’s plan advances.
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Blog Post World-Class Music and History at Muscle Shoals Nestled in the northwest corner of Alabama, the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area (MNSHA) consists of the six northwest Alabama counties—Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, and Morgan—that border the meandering Tennessee River. World-class fishing lakes and challenging golf courses combined with a thriving music industry and a fascinating local history attract thousands of visitors to the region every year.
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Press Release Arches, Glacier and Rocky Mountain to Resume Timed Entry Access in 2023 “Thanks to managed access, visitors to Arches, Glacier and Rocky Mountain saw more wildlife and wild lands than brake lights and traffic jams the last several years" -- NPCA's Cassidy Jones
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Press Release Park Advocates Prevail, Proposed Mine Near Katahdin Woods and Waters Stopped “Today’s decision is a victory for the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and for all who live in and visit the region."
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Press Release Polluted Parks: Trump Administration Moves to Approve Weak Utah Haze Plan, Threatening Parks and Communities Plan would allow state coal-fired power plants to continue polluting the air we breathe, increasing hazy skies in Utah’s treasured national parks.
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Press Release NPCA Applauds Public Lands Plan to Balance Conservation, Development and Recreation “As the climate crisis changes our parks and landscapes, land managers must also adjust how they work together to protect and connect wildlife and ecosystems” – NPCA’s Senior VP of Government Affairs Kristen Brengel
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Blog Post Ticket to Ride: Free Trolley Service Expands Access to Everglades and Biscayne This Winter Thirty miles south of Miami, the community of Homestead, Florida, sits in a lucky spot. Equidistant from two major national parks, with Everglades National Park about ten miles to the west and Biscayne National Park about ten miles to the east, residents and visitors are perfectly situated to enjoy some of the most beautiful lands, waters, and wildlife in the entire country.
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Press Release New Mexico Delegation Repeats Call for Protection from Oil and Gas Development Around Chaco Culture National Historical Park Senators Heinrich and Udall, along with Representatives Lujan, Haaland, and Torres Small introduce legislation to withdraw lands considered for oil and gas development near New Mexico park
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Press Release Southern Utah National Parks Threatened by BLM Oil and Gas Lease Sale New oil and gas lease sales threaten Arches and Canyonlands National Parks as well as Hovenweep National Monument and its surrounding cultural landscape.
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Press Release Wyoming Hunting Proposal Threatens Yellowstone and Grand Teton Grizzly Bears Proposal threatens grizzly bears that make their homes in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and travel inside and outside of park borders.
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Policy Update Position on Nomination of Scott Pruitt NPCA submitted the following position to the Senate regarding the Trump administration nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Land Based Trip Geothermal Explorations and Ancient Migrations: The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (CANCELLED) Join NPCA for an insider look at Yellowstone — America’s first national park. From the rolling valley of the Tom Miner Basin through the heart of Yellowstone country, the diverse Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is an adventurer’s playground. Tour participants can hike mountains, peer at rivers coursing through canyons, dip their toes in high-altitude lakes, stand beside waterfalls and wander amid one of the most geothermally active areas of the world. We’ll get off the beaten path with our NPCA staff hosts and local experts as we learn why this park is so special.
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Report Best Practices in Friends Groups and National Parks Best Practices In Friends Groups And National Parks
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Read the book Trace: Memory, History, Race and the American Landscape This story is adapted from Lauret Savoy's 2015 book, "Trace: Memory, History, Race, and the American Landscape."
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Video Series NPCA and Nature Valley Watch the full video showcasing Araceli Hernandez’s experience and learn more about NPCA's partnership with Nature Valley and its impact.
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Video Series NPCA and Nature Valley Watch the full video showcasing Daniel Hernandez’s experience and learn more about NPCA’s partnership with Nature Valley and its impact.
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Land Based Trip Fa‘a Samoa: The National Park of American Samoa (WAITLIST CLOSED) Welcome to the National Park of American Samoa, the only U.S. national park south of the equator. On this tour, you have the rare opportunity to visit all of the islands that comprise this national park — Tutuila, Aunu‘u and the Manu‘a Islands. You will be spending time with the community and learning about the customs of the islands, while also visiting paleotropic rainforests and seeing flora and fauna found in no other national park. During this unforgettable NPCA small group tour, you’ll feel the warm welcome of Samoan culture as a guest in an immersive experience of community, culture and conservation.
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Land Based Trip Fa‘a Samoa: The National Park of American Samoa Talofa! Welcome to American Samoa and to the only U.S. National Park south of the equator. On this tour, you have the rare opportunity to visit all three of the islands where the National Park of American Samoa is located. You will be spending time with the community and learning about the customs of the islands, while also visiting paleotropic rainforests and seeing flora and fauna that are found in no other U.S. National Park. During this unforgettable NPCA small group tour, you’ll feel the warm welcome of Samoan culture as a guest in an immersive experience of community, culture and conservation.
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Park Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve Aniakchak is the country’s least-visited national park site, seeing fewer than 300 tourists in a typical year. The monument is only accessible by a long journey of flying, boating and/or backpacking, and its rugged, difficult environment features foggy, rainy weather and a high concentration of bears and wolves. Those brave few who do venture down the Alaska Peninsula and into the monument are rewarded with a jaw-dropping six-mile-wide, 2,000-foot-deep volcanic caldera. Within this deep, ashy crater is Surprise Lake, source of the Aniakchak River, as well as Vent Mountain, a 2,200-foot-tall cone formed by a volcanic eruption in 1931.
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NPCA at Work Create a National Park Site Preserving the Legacy of Julius Rosenwald A Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park would recognize an important legacy of philanthropy and social justice and be the first national park honoring a Jewish American.
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Victory Grand Canyon Protected from Threat of Mega-Development You helped to stop a massive development proposed just outside the boundary of Grand Canyon National Park that had the Park Service and park supporters worried about negative effects on the park—especially the dozens of fragile creeks, springs, and seeps that rely on underground water sources the development could have legally tapped.
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Park Springfield 1908 Race Riot In an act of extreme racial violence, a mob of thousands of white people targeted a Black community in Springfield, Illinois, in August 1908, attacking residents, destroying homes and businesses, and lynching two men.
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Janelle Blakely Janelle Blakely served as the Regional Director of Development for the Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Alaska regions. Janelle connected National Parks Conservation Association's most generous supporters with our advocacy and activities to protect our national parks.
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Report Restoring the Great Lakes in our National Parks This report highlights the successful and critical role that the National Park Service plays in restoring the Great Lakes, safeguarding public health, creating jobs, and protecting these special places belonging to all Americans.
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Todd McLeish Todd McLeish is a freelance science writer and the author of four books about rare wildlife, including “Return of the Sea Otter” and “Narwhals: Arctic Whales in a Melting World.”
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Report Memorandum Opinion for Decision to Block Loaded, Concealed Firearms Memorandum opinion regarding a final rule promulgated by DOI that allows persons to possess concealed, loaded, and operable firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges in accordance with the laws of the state in which the national park or wildlife refuge is located.
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Park Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Over 1,700 plant and animal fossils have been discovered in the rich deposits that cover this monument. From giant Sequoias to delicate leaves, fish, birds, insects and spiders, these fossils give scientists an idea of what North America was like 34 million years ago.
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Park John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway bridges the gap between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks with scenic drives and outdoor activities year round.
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Matt Brass Matt Brass recently retired from his job as vice president of creative at an ad agency specializing in sustainability and the environment after a 17-year run. Since then, he's founded a company, Smoky Outfitters, that creates art about destinations around the U.S., including many national parks. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Brass continues to pursue photography and document his adventures in the great outdoors. To learn more, go to mattbrass.com.
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Megan Tran Megan Tran is a Houston, Texas native and served as the 2023 summer communications intern at NPCA. She is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin where she is majoring in Plan II Honors, English and sociology.
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NPCA at Work Jamaica Bay Advocates Jamaica Bay is a place where millions of New Yorkers go to have fun and explore nature. It is the largest unit of the National Park Service in New York City, consisting of 18,000 acres.
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Mark Mesle Mark Mesle is the Midwest Field Representative in NPCA’s Chicago office. Mark works with community groups and local officials to build support for parks throughout the region.
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Park Hampton National Historic Site When Hampton was completed in 1790, it was the largest private residence in the country. Over the past two centuries, it has been home to the wealthy, the struggling, and the enslaved.
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Report Center for State of the Parks: The Battles For Missouri According to an assessment by the Center for State of the Parks, cultural resources at both Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge are in "fair" condition. Natural resource conditions also received "fair" scores at both of the parks.
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Victory Congress Funds the Land & Water Conservation Fund in Perpetuity Congress passed a bill dedicating full funding in perpetuity to one of our nation's most important conservation tools protecting public lands from incompatible development.
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NPCA at Work Safe Passage: I-26 at the AT Improving wildlife’s ability to safely cross Interstate 26 near the Appalachian Trail
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Report Center for State of the Parks: Appomattox Court House National Historical Park According to an assessment by NPCA's Center for State of the Parks, current overall conditions of Appomattox Court House's known cultural resources rated a "fair" score of 68 out of 100.
Pagination