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Last fall many of us sat glued to the television as we took in Ken Burns' series The National Parks: America's Best Idea. If we learned anything from Burns it's that national parks aren't just important for protecting natural spaces, they're an integral part of our American identity and culture. But is that identity at risk?
The National Parks Conservation Association announced last week that funds allotted to the National Park Service under the 2011 national budget fall drastically short of what the system needs to ensure restoration and maximum operation of some of the United States' most treasured spaces. The 2011 budget request for the NPS is approximately $2.7 billion, a decrease of $21.6 million from the current 2010 budget.
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What does that mean for the average visitor? Within the total budget $100 million in park programs are reduced or eliminated, meaning fewer educational and grant programs. The NPCA holds that the budget is in fact "insufficient to maintain current park operations and visitor services."
That's bad news for the over 275 million people that visit national parks each year. But it's not just a question of encouraging people to get outdoors, it's also an economic question.
In fact, according to the NPCA, every $1 invested in national parks means $4 for the US economy. Promoting the protection and restoration of beautiful natural spaces is not only good for the environment; it's essential to our economic well-being.
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We certainly don't want to lose our national parks, and we want to make sure that we support local economies that are dependent on them, so here are a few ways that you can help:
- Donate to the National Park Foundation by going here
- Write your political leaders and tell them what national parks mean to you
- Volunteer! With dire budget constraints, national parks are going to need all the help they can get, from trail maintenance to tour guides. Click here to search the database by state or by park.
Now go get outside!
More on National Parks
5 Ways You Can Support National Parks Now
Are You a National Parks Wiz?
