Archive for the ‘NPCA’ Category

Nature Valley’s PreserveTheParks to benefit Smokies

Saturday, July 16th, 2011
As summer travel season heats up, Nature Valley® has partnered with travel expert and TV personality Samantha Brown to encourage Americans to experience the beauty of our national parks, while helping to raise awareness for the importance of preservation efforts. The program, called the National Parks Project, benefits the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), whose mission is to help preserve America’s national parks for generations to come. Nature Valley is making a $400,000 flat donation to the NPCA and this summer, consumers can help raise an additional $100,000 for our parks by entering Universal Product Codes (UPC) from specially marked packages of Nature Valley products at PreserveTheParks.com.

How to Get Involved

Our national parks face chronic budget shortfalls and natural threats that have the potential to limit, and even degrade, their preservation. “Insufficient funding and support threatens the quality of our parks and our ability to preserve them,” said Tom Kiernan, president of the National Parks Conservation Association. “With the upcoming centennial of the National Parks Service in 2016, now is the best time for Americans to rally behind our parks – by visiting them, volunteering or helping raise funds through initiatives like the National Parks Project.”

This summer, consumers can join Samantha Brown and Nature Valley by:

• Visiting PreserveTheParks.com and entering UPCs from Nature Valley products to help raise money for the NPCA. For each UPC entered now through October 31, 2011, Nature Valley has agreed to donate $.10 to the NPCA, up to $100,000, to support their preservation work near various parks across the country.

◦ Beginning July 12, 2011, Nature Valley is increasing donations to the NPCA from $.10 to $1.00 for a short time (maximum donation still $100,000). Visit PreserveTheParks.com to learn more about this promotion.

• Entering for the chance to win a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks at PreserveTheParks.com or the Nature Valley Facebook page. No purchase necessary. See website for complete rules and information on how to enter.

• Browsing the “Preserve the Parks” section of the Nature Valley Facebook page for park tips and inspiring photos from Samantha Brown and Nature Valley to help them make the most of their national parks experience this summer.

The National Parks Project

This marks the second year of the National Parks Project, a partnership between Nature Valley and the NPCA. Nature Valley’s $400,000 flat donation and the additional funds raised from UPC entries, up to $100,000, supports restoration projects surrounding six national parks this summer and throughout the year, including:

• Acadia National Park
• Biscayne National Park
• Grand Teton National Park
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Yellowstone National Park

Samantha Brown’s involvement with the National Parks Project represents a growing list of public figures that have shown their support for our parks since the program’s launch, including most recently, actor Josh Holloway.

“Nature Valley loves the national parks and we’re passionate about their preservation,” said Scott Baldwin, marketing manager for Nature Valley. “We want to help remind families and individuals to enjoy nature this summer, and visit some of the beautiful parks in their own backyard.”


Water and Hiking Sandal Sale - Up to 30% off


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in NPCA, National Parks Project, Nature Valley, PreserveTheParks.com, benefits the National Parks Conservation Association | Comments Off

Challenges facing the Appalachian Trail

Sunday, April 4th, 2010
According to a new assessment released earlier in the week by the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), the Appalachian National Scenic Trail faces many challenges that put the experience of visitors and trail resources at risk. Adjacent land development on privately owned land, sources of air pollution, and funding shortfalls impacts the ability of trail managers to protect historic structures and preserve trail resources.

“The Appalachian Trail attracts millions of hikers each year, and we must ensure its unique American experience is protected for future generations to enjoy,” said Ron Tipton, NPCA’s senior vice president of policy.

According to the new assessment, approximately 10 miles of the immediate Trail corridor are not publicly owned, and only about 150 properties remain to be acquired to protect trail resources. Many of these areas remain vulnerable to incompatible development or land use, including proposed pipelines, powerlines, residences, energy-producing wind turbines, and motorized off-road vehicle and mountain bike use. A primary way that trail managers can protect additional lands is through support from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal program that provides funds for land acquisition.

“Our long-sought goal of establishing a permanent right-of-way and publicly owned greenway surrounding the Appalachian Trail is now within reach, with less than 10 miles and 150 properties remaining to be acquired,” said David Startzell, ATC’s executive director. “But the goal of protecting those lands, the natural and cultural resources within them, and the adjacent landscapes surrounding them remains a never-ending challenge - one that requires on-going public and private support.”

While Congress has funded AT land acquisitions consistently over the past 30 years, additional public/private funding is critical for resource protection. The National Park Service and the ATC have a unique management partnership, in which these organizations share resources, but are forced to make difficult decisions on how limited funding is spent.

For example, staffing and funding is needed to interpret historic sites and expand community-outreach programs. Report findings indicate the trail could benefit from National Register of Historic Places designation, which could make the trail eligible for additional funding.

Another challenge facing the trail in some locations is poor air quality, which has a profound effect on hiker health and enjoyment of the trail. The NPCA and the ATC are advocating for stronger regulations on nearby coal-fired power plants and other sources of pollution to improve air quality and protect the health of hikers, wildlife, and trail resources.

To view a copy of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail: A Special Report, and take action to help protect the park, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

Posted in A Special Report, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, NPCA, National Parks Conservation Association, assessment, challenges, study | Comments Off

Obama’s national parks funding campaign promise

Thursday, February 4th, 2010
Did Barack Obama renege on a campaign promise?

Tom Kiernan, president of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), thinks so.

Here's the statement from a press release published earlier in the week:

(the) NPCA is calling on President Obama to keep his campaign promise to continue the federal commitment toward restoring our national parks in time for the 2016 centennial and beyond. Further, compared to the overall federal budget, the Park Service is very small—only one tenth of 1 percent. “Providing parks the funds needed to serve visitors and protect resources is a tiny investment in our national heritage, and will provide economic benefits and jobs in struggling communities nationwide,” said Kiernan.

The release also stated:

... the Administration’s budget request for the national parks will barely cover costs to pay the bills, let alone restore the operational needs to serve park visitors and protect America’s wildlife and heritage for their second century.

The President’s 2011 budget request for the National Park Service is approximately $2.7 billion—a decrease of $21.6 million (8%) over the current fiscal year 2010 budget. Within the total budget, nearly $100 million in park programs are reduced or eliminated—including Save America’s Treasures and Preserve America grants—and parks are left without funding to pay for cost of living adjustments for staff. The operations budget proposal does not come close to meeting the $100 million request by the National Park Second Century Commission, and is insufficient to maintain current park operations and visitor services. The budget also includes a $44 million decrease for construction and maintenance needs. Budget reductions mean that the proposed $35 million increase for park operations fails to fund basic Park Service needs.

In an interview conducted by the NPCA in 2008, Obama stated:

"I am committed to addressing the funding shortfall that the National Parks Service has experienced, and ensuring that by 2016, the National Parks Service centennial, the national park system has the resources it needs to meet its unmet maintenance and operational needs."

Every dollar invested in parks generates 4 dollars?

The same press release also mentions a study commissioned by the NPCA that found that every dollar invested in national parks generates at least four dollars of economic value to the public, based on a cost-benefit analysis.

Digging into the study (An Economic Asset at Risk) a little closer, I determined that this conclusion is misleading. What the study defines as "economic value" is really perceived value. In other words, the authors of the study have assigned a dollar value to hiking a trail, or bird watching, or sight-seeing within the parks. There is no real money involved in this calculation.

The problem with this, as I see it, is that the study implies that every dollar invested going forward will produce four real dollars to the public, thus implying additional investments in parks to be a no brainer. If this were true most Americans would be all for this and the politicians would be following suit.

In my view, one threat to our national parks that isn't being considered is the national debt bomb that's going to explode sooner or later. If we don't reign in our elected officials and get our finances in order soon, our parks, as we currently know them, could be in jeopardy.

Not only is outrageous deficit spending burying our country in debt on the national level, but most of our states are experiencing severe financial problems as well.

It's not too hard to imagine that someday federal and state governments could be forced into making radical changes to our parks. Is it possible that "unproductive" parks could be sold to private organizations in order to help pay down the debt? Maybe the National Park Service or state parks could end up selling or leasing park lands for the building of lodges, condos or golf courses. What about corporate sponsorship of parks: "The Cades Cove Loop brought to you by McDonald's"!

Don't think this could happen? Last year the city of Louisville, Kentucky closed Otter Creek Park due to budget cuts. This was a major city park that had cabins, a conference center, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, fishing, etc. The orginal plan was to close the park permanently, however, after a massive public outcry, the city put out a request for propsal to see what other options were available. At this time the city is in discussions with the YMCA of Greater Louisville about it taking over operations of the park.

If the national debt wasn't such a huge problem, deficit spending on parks probably wouldn't be an issue for most people. Given the circumstances, the National Park Service needs to find new ways to increase revenues. It's time for our leaders to begin thinking outside of the box. Could new attractions, services or amenities be added that would increase visitation? Could the national parks do fund raisers? How about asking for donations in addition to entrance fees at the time visitors arrive at a park? What about selling merchandise and collectibles more aggressively - similar to that of a real business?


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Posted in An Economic Asset at Risk, Kentucky, Louisville, NPCA, National Parks, National Parks Conservation Association, Otter Creek Park, Tom Kiernan, national dept | Comments Off