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del.icio.usThe Next Century For Parks
Over 100 years ago, private citizens committed themselves to protecting, and then preserving and endowing, the places they loved as national parks. This remarkable movement – the first in the history of the world – has grown into a national park system that reflects the richness of the whole American story. As the only national charitable partner of our parks, the National Park Foundation is convening the thought leaders, strengthening the key partnerships and building the momentum to help create a new national movement for parks that lasts well beyond 2016.
On August 25, 2006, the 90th anniversary of the National Park Service, President George W. Bush called upon all Americans to enhance our national parks and to continue the legacy of leveraging philanthropic, partnership and government investments for the benefit of national parks and their visitors. In response, the Secretary of the Interior and the National Park Service conducted more than 40 listening sessions at which 4,500 Americans shared their big ideas to better protect and preserve our parks. The goal of this outreach was to develop a strategy to prepare parks for their 100th anniversary in 2016.
“It is an honor to lead the national charitable efforts for our parks, and we are privileged to stand together with government leaders, our charitable partners, and the American public to forge a new era for parks that will ensure--without question--that they will remain vital and relevant for the next century.’
– Vin Cipolla, President and CEO, National Park Foundation
Building on the ideas of ordinary Americans, the National Park Service and park partners have created a vision for the 2016 anniversary that includes specific projects and programs, but also an opportunity to raise public awareness and strengthen the connections between Americans and their parks. At the Secretary of the Interior’s request, the National Park Foundation engaged a fundraising firm to study the feasibility of a successful $1 billion capital campaign for parks. The study revealed that a campaign of this magnitude is feasible and that it must be comprehensive, include all park charities and benefit all parks to be truly successful.
The National Park Foundation is committed to building a wider and deeper conversation and network in support for parks by engaging with the National Park Service, as well as friends groups, cooperating associations, and all park partners. The Foundation is exploring innovative ways to use technology to fulfill our mission, take advantage of parks as classrooms and places of learning, and meet societal needs regarding the environment and wellness.
2016 provides an unprecedented and historic moment to begin a new movement for parks – one that will be relevant for our nation, for the places we cherish, and for our children and grandchildren. Such a movement, the true legacy of 2016, will only succeed if it captures the commitment of all Americans. It was private citizens who first saved these extraordinary places, and it is private citizens whose continuing gifts of time, dollars, and ideas will ensure their future.
For more information about the National Park Centennial, visit nps.gov/2016
Related Items
- Remarks by Vin Cipolla, National Park Foundation President and CEO, at Shenandoah National Park, February 7, 2007
- Statement by Vin Cipolla, National Park Foundation President and CEO, before the Subcommittee on National Parks, Energy and Natural Resources Committee of the U.S. Senate, August 2, 2007
