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| Secretary Kempthorne announced the first round of National Park Centennial projects at an event on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. The $50 million in projects result from the combination of $24.6 million in federal funds that match nearly $27 million in philanthropic contributions.Hi-Res |
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne unveiled the 110 national park improvement
projects and programs that will get underway this spring, funded by an equal
combination of public and private funds, under President Bush’s National
Park Centennial Initiative. The Initiative, announced in 2006, proposed an
innovative federal Centennial Challenge matching fund that would be used to
match philanthropic contributions for the benefit of our national parks between
now and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.
“I am pleased to announce the first round of National Park Centennial
Projects that will be undertaken with the first round of funding appropriated
by Congress in the 2008 budget,” Kempthorne said at the event supported
by the National Park Foundation. “Ground will be broken and work underway
very soon. This first round of projects will improve parks nationwide – large
and small, urban and rural, natural and historical. more 
en Español
Proposed FY2009 Budget Continues Momentum on
National Park Centennial Initiative
 This
budget continues momentum on the President’s historic call last year
for new public and private investment to strengthen and expand national park
operations, staffing, services and facilities in preparation for the 100th
anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016. The FY 2009 budget calls
for a landmark request of $2.1 billion for park operations, an increase of
$161 million over the FY 2008 enacted amount. Combined with the 2008 enacted
budget, this totals a two-year increase of $282 million, or 15 percent, for
park operations.
The President also proposed up to $100 million a year in mandatory federal
funding over the next decade under the Centennial Challenge to provide matching
funds for donations made by Americans for projects to improve our parks and
provide better visitor experiences. Over 200 projects with a total investment
of $370 million have already been identified as eligible for funding through
the Centennial Challenge. When Congress, which supports the initiative, approves
Centennial Challenge Fund legislation, these investments will benefit parks
across the country. more
 First National Park Centennial Projects ‘Ready to Go;’
Adding Sparkle
to America’s ‘Crown Jewels’
(Yosemite National Park, Calif.) – Build park trails, save sea turtles, "go green" energy, guide students to become stewards and recruit citizens to discover landscapes, history, culture and science - those are just a few of the more than 200 centennial proposals Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne unveiled to be undertaken in national parks as part of the National Park Centennial Initiative. more
en Español
Kempthorne Presents to the President a Vision
for the Future of Our National Parks
 "Inspired by the passions of thousands of citizens and mindful that boldness matches our history, today I bring you our vision to ensure that the American love affair with national parks endures," wrote Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne in a report delivered to President George Bush.
Kempthorne, and National Park Service Director Mary Bomar, unveiled report details during a rooftop press conference at the Interior Department. In the report, "The Future of America's National Parks," Kempthorne wrote, "Parks teach and inspire. Parks are America the beautiful.the cultural.the historical." He explained the 100th anniversary should be a time to celebrate accomplishments achieved through goals with boldness and vision. National parks will:
- lead America in preserving and restoring treasured resources;
- demonstrate environmental leadership;
- offer superior recreational experiences;
- foster exceptional learning opportunities that connect people to parks;
- and, be managed with excellence.
Performance goals will guide the achievement of these goals.
By 2016, the National Park Service plans to:
- improve priority facilities to acceptable condition,
- restore native habitats by controlling invasive species and reintroducing key
plant and animal species,
- improve natural resources in parks as measured by scientific vital signs monitoring,
- reduce environmental impacts of park operations,
- double the amount of volunteer hours,
- enroll two million new Junior Rangers,
- encourage greater partnership and philanthropy,
- and, reshape the workforce to meet the needs of America.
more en Español
Press Releases and Fact Sheets
Additional Information on National Park Centennial Initiative
Secretary Kempthorne Discusses
the National Park Centennial Initiative
on Ask the White House
Interior Secretary Kempthorne discussed the President's new National Park Centennial Initiative on “Ask the White House” on Monday, February 12, 2007. "Ask the White House" is an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Administration officials and friends of the White House. The Centennial Initiative launched by the President on August 25, 2006 will enhance our National Parks during the decade leading up to the 100th Anniversary in 2016.
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![08-25-2006. Michael Breis sings the Star-Spangled Banner at Yellowstone 90th Anniversary Celebration and Launch of Centennial Challenge. Standing from left to right are Secretary Kempthorne, former NPS Director Mainella, Senator Thomas, and Yellowstone Superintendent Lewis.
[NPS Photo by Bob Greenburg]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090115163802im_/http://www.doi.gov/images/npscentennial.gif)
