Funding cuts are pushing our national parks to the breaking point BY PHIL FRANCIS, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR – 03/16/24 I worked for the National Park Service for 41 years, serving at program offices, battlefield sites and larger national parks such as Shenandoah, the Great Smokies and Yosemite. I retired nearly 11 years ago and became
Member Op-Ed: California’s majestic desert must be preserved. This proposal can help.
As the former superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park — and a 38-year career employee for the National Park Service — I have seen the undeniable benefits that come with conserving our public lands. Nowhere has this become more clear than in the California desert, where conservation efforts have nurtured a growing and sustainable
Op-Ed: To Protect National Parks, We Must Take Urgent Climate Action Now
Op-Ed | To Protect National Parks, We Must Take Urgent Climate Action Now By Mike Murray, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks National parks are among America’s most beloved institutions, yet they face a grave threat. Climate change is here, and we need to act quickly to protect our parks from its worst consequences.
Coalition Op-Ed: Overcrowding at Glacier and why Congress Must Act
By Don Neubacher And Linda Mazzu September 24, 2023 12:00 AM Glacier National Park has been recently criticized for trying to address an overwhelming problem — too many visitors at one time and not enough park staff to fully support the high levels of visitation. For years, the park has been grappling with the safe
Member Op-Ed: Congress should pass the CORE Act now
Nov 27, 2022 By BRUCE NOBLE So the election is over and the dust is beginning to settle. And yet so much remains unclear. For example, what will happen to the long-suffering CORE Act? Also of critical importance, what if the CORE Act fails to pass by the time this session of Congress ends
Member Op-Ed: Yes, please stop building on the Mall
Washington Post OpEd November 11, 2022 I agree with Philip Kennicott’s Nov. 7 front-page Critic’s Notebook essay, “Stop building museums on the National Mall. Extend it.” When Congress established the Reserve — national park land on the cross-axis of the National Mall from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and the White House to the
Member Op-Ed: Reform oil and gas rules before allowing new leases
Reform oil and gas rules before allowing new leases By Michael Murray and Paul Reed Our national parks and monuments are full of rich history and culture and some are sacred ancestral homes to Tribes – like the Navajo, Hopi and Puebloan peoples — who have stewarded these lands for millennia. Their cultural legacies
Op-Ed: Our National Parks Still Need Fixing
Our National Parks Still Need Fixing By Theresa Pierno and Michael Murray, opinion contributors – 08/07/22 Two years ago, we witnessed a historic moment for our national parks with the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act — the biggest investment our country has made in our parks in more than 50 years. Even during
Member Op-Ed: Yosemite’s sequoias survived the latest wildfire. Not all national parks will be so lucky.
OPINION – Posted to the LA Times July 25, 2022 BY MARK BUTLER Watching these past weeks as firefighters battled to stop wildfire from spreading into Yosemite National Park’s famous Mariposa Grove of giant sequoia trees was an urgent reminder of the large-scale threat climate change poses to our national parks. Unfortunately, fires like
Member Op-Ed: When will it be over for the CORE Act?
Jun 8, 2022 By BRUCE NOBLE Legendary baseball player and coach Yogi Berra once famously said “it ain’t over till it’s over.” That phrase aptly applies to the CORE Act. Just when I think I’ve written my final words about the CORE Act and it’s safely headed toward the finish line, I find there’s
Member Op-Ed: President Biden, proclaim the 1908 Springfield Race Riot site a national monument.
Op-ed: President Biden, proclaim the 1908 Springfield Race Riot site a national monument By Norman Hellmers The 1908 Springfield Race Riot was an incredibly violent chapter in our nation’s history. Blocks of the Illinois city’s Black neighborhoods, including numerous businesses and residences, were destroyed and burned by rioting white mobs. Two Black citizens were killed
Member Op-Ed: President Biden, protect these Nevada lands
Opinion: President Biden, protect these Nevada lands John King This opinion column was submitted by John King, a Boulder City resident who served 35-plus years in the National Park Service. Last year, President Biden set our first-ever national conservation goal — to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 — as
Member Op-Ed: The Reality of Locality for Federal Workers in Colorado
Mar 7, 2022 By BRUCE NOBLE Although it may not be obvious to everyone, we are fortunate to have high-quality federal employees working for our land management agencies here on the Western Slope of Colorado. The reason for that is pretty evident — this area is considered a good place to live. More strong candidates
Member Op-Ed: National Parks Can’t Keep Doing More With Less
Letter: National Parks Can’t Keep Doing More With Less by Opinion Contributor February 28, 2022 Sen. Angus King is pushing for additional national parks staffing, and I couldn’t agree more. For too long national parks have been asked to do more with less. Attendance hit new records at national parks across the country
Member Oped: Sams the Right Man for Our National Parks
Guest Opinion: Sams the right man for our National Parks Jim Hammett The National Park Service has a morale problem. The agency has been underfunded for decades and the previous administration politicized the mission of the NPS, turning employees into political pawns in the process. Now, the NPS is dealing with record-breaking crowds
Member Op-Ed: Senate should OK Sams to lead National Park Service
BY CHERRY PAYNE / RETIRED NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SUPERINTENDENT, SANTA FE RESIDENT Thursday, November 18, 2021 The National Park Service (NPS) has been without a Senate-confirmed director for over four years. In the long history of the agency, this has never happened. And this lack of steady leadership has contributed to a number
Member Op-Ed: We still have a chance to save our national parks.
We still have a chance to save our national parks. The Biden administration has launched its America the Beautiful plan to save public lands. By Donald Falvey | Special to The Tribune Sep. 23, 2021, 8:00 a.m. Can the national parks be saved? That’s a strange question isn’t it? But our national parks
Member Op-Ed: Protect national parks before they reach their breaking point
National Parks are at their breaking point. You’ve seen the images; visitors lined up to hike at Zion National Park, heavy traffic at Yellowstone National Park and big crowds in Arches National Park. Although our COVID-19 infection rates continue to climb, visitors are still flocking to national parks. Collectively, we have spent over 70 years
Member Op-Ed: Our national parks need more funding to keep up with rising number of visitors.
Parks across the country have seen record-breaking numbers of visitors this summer, even as we continue to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19. I’m sure you’ve seen the images; visitors lined up to hike at Zion National Park, heavy traffic at Yellowstone National Park and big crowds in Arches National Park. Here in Maine,
Member Op-Ed: Off-highway vehicles in national parks is a bad idea
Mike Lee’s bill to allow off-highway vehicles in national parks is a bad idea By Cordell Roy | Special to The Tribune U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, recently introduced two bills in the Senate — S.1526 and S.1527 — that have to do with allowing off-highway vehicle use in our national parks. S.1526,
Member Op-Ed: Clean up orphaned wells for Chaco, all national parks
Clean up orphaned wells for Chaco, all national parks BY TOM VAUGHAN/CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, SILVER CITY RESIDENT Published: Saturday, July 31st, 2021 at 3:32pm Updated: Friday, August 6th, 2021 at 3:33pm During my 22 years with the National Park Service, I spent four years as superintendent of Chaco Culture National Historical Park in
Member Oped: Precious landscapes need protection from orphaned wells
Precious landscapes need protection from orphaned wells Aug 8, 2021 By DENNY HUFFMAN From Yosemite National Park in the west to Great Smoky Mountains and Virgin Islands National Parks in the east, I was privileged to work with the National Park Service for 34 years, helping to protect our country’s most treasured natural and
Member Op-Ed: Biden’s “America the Beautiful” plan is well-timed
While the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be on the retreat, our time spent at home has demonstrated just how important the great outdoors are to Americans. After spending months in lockdown, a road trip to a national park — or even a hike through a local park — feels like a much needed physical, emotional,
Member Op-Ed: America the Beautiful initiative is right on time
President Biden’s plan will combat some of the worst impacts of climate change in Colorado By Sheridan Steele – June 30, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has reaffirmed for me just how lucky I am to live in Colorado. As households across the country spent months in lockdown, a trip to the great outdoors provided
Member Op-Ed:Biden’s America the Beautiful Plan will help ensure national parks are protected, accessible
Biden’s America the Beautiful Plan will help ensure national parks are protected, accessible Bill Wade | Special to Tucson Sentinel.com | Jun 29, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has very visibly demonstrated just how important parks are to Americans. With households across the country spending months in lockdown, a trip to the great outdoors provided much
Member oped: Restore protections to Grand Staircase-Escalante
By Noel Poe | Special to the Tribune | June 22, 2021 Throughout my 37-plus years with the National Park Service, I have had the privilege to work in national parks across the country. While each park is different, one of the common threads linking them together is the dedication of local communities and
Member oped: Drilling near Dinosaur NM is a Mistake
Dinosaur National Monument Visitor Center By Nick Eason | Special to The Tribune Reflecting upon a 30-year career with the National Park Service (NPS), I’ve had the good fortune of working in some of America’s most iconic landscapes. Of all these prominent places and memories, Dinosaur National Monument is my most treasured and
Member Oped: Let park managers manage their national parks
Donald A. Falvey: Let park managers manage their national parks Zion National Park should restore the timed entry ticket system for its shuttles. By Donald A. Falvey | Special to The Salt Lake Tribune | June 22, 2021, 11:00 a.m. Flashback: A National Park Service superintendent’s conference in the 1990s. The regional director called me
Op-Ed: Rebecca Harriett: A welcome initiative to protect our parks
By Rebecca Harriett Jun 13, 2021 West Virginia is a state that values access to the great outdoors. It’s a place of incredible beauty, full of opportunities to hike, canoe, hunt, fish and swim. And for West Virginians — and Americans across the country — the COVID-19 pandemic has very visibly demonstrated just how important
Coalition Op-Ed: People are flocking to national parks — yet understaffed parks continue struggling financially
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of taking a trip out west to visit several national parks in Utah, including Arches and Canyonlands. I have spent years working with national parks; first as a National Park Service (NPS) Ranger and now as the executive director for the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks,
Biden administration must build-up the National Park Service
BY PHIL FRANCIS, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR — 12/19/20 As we begin to close the book on 2020 and start a new year, it’s a good time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we need to go. I served our country and the American people in the National Park Service (NPS) for over 40 years,
Member Oped: Great American Outdoors Act is worth celebrating, especially in Maine
In a year full of unexpected challenges and extreme partisanship, I am particularly grateful for a cause for celebration. The recent Great American Outdoors Act has provided just such an opportunity. With an eye on the future, both houses of Congress have passed legislation recognizing the importance of preserving and protecting our irreplaceable natural
Member OpEd: A call for authorizing Curecanti National Recreation Area
A call for authorizing Curecanti National Recreation Area Posted to The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel Aug 14, 2020 As a group, we have a combined 26.5 years of experience as superintendents of Curecanti National Recreation Area and a collective 179 years of service with the National Park Service. With the benefit of this extensive background,
Member Oped: Leasing Plans Threaten Utah’s National Parks
The Salt Lake Tribune 7/1/2020 By Phil Brueck | Special to The Tribune As we continue to navigate the fallout from the pandemic and work to establish a “new normal,” many of us Utahns are still focused on balancing the demands of our personal and professional lives, providing for our families and thinking about
Member Oped: Mount Rushmore Fireworks A Bad Idea
Opinion by Cheryl Schreier July 1, 2020 at 4:20 p.m. EDT Cheryl Schreier was superintendent of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial from 2010 to 2019. It has been more than 10 years since fireworks were last seen at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The fireworks were canceled in 2010, my first year as superintendent of the
Member OP-ED: Killing bear cubs and wolf pups in their dens on NPS lands in Alaska is wrong
Many people would agree that hunting methods such as killing black bear mothers with cubs in their dens, “harvesting” grizzly bears over bait, “taking” female wolves and coyotes and their pups during denning season, are deeply offensive, particularly on public lands, like the national preserves managed by the National Park Service in Alaska. Yet, Secretary David Bernhardt’s Interior Department
Member OP-ED: The outdoors is a good getaway amid pandemic. Just not the Grand Canyon. Don’t reopen it yet
Grand Canyon National Park is an icon. It attracts visitors from all over the world who flock to the South Rim and other viewpoints within the park that offer a glimpse of the famous Canyon. As the pandemic continues to impact our lives, when social distancing is still the name of the game, reopening this
Member Oped: Halt oil and gas lease sales and protect Carlsbad Caverns
Rick Smith and Cherry Payne, Coalition to Protect America’s Parks Published Carlsbad Current-Argus May 14, 2020 Each year, over 450,000 people visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park to marvel at otherworldly cave formations and the flying rivers of Mexican free-tail bats departing each evening for their nightly meal. The park is recognized as a national treasure and
Member OpEd: Oil and Gas Lease Sales Should be Paused During the Pandemic Crisis
Opinion: Oil and gas lease sales should be paused during the coronavirus crisis – Sheridan Steele Special to The Colorado Sun The COVID-19 pandemic has swept through the United States and changed our daily lives. Complying with orders from city, state and national leaders, those who are able to in Colorado are staying home to
Member OpEd: Airport board failed on heli-tour question
When I read Jackson Hole Airport Board President Jerry Blann’s Guest Column in last week’s News&Guide, it was clear that on April 24 the board would vote to permit Wind River Aviation to base its operation at the airport, which is located inside Grand Teton National Park. Essentially he was telling the community the board
Member OP-ED: Secretary Bernhardt Must Close Shenandoah
Shenandoah National Park welcomed nearly 1.4 million visitors in 2019 and the park attracts a particularly high number of visitors during the spring season. So in the middle of a global pandemic, when social distancing and statewide stay-at-home orders are the name of the game, it defies all logic and common sense to keep this
Member OP-ED: We must protect Utah’s Red Rock landscapes
By Cordell Roy | Special to The Salt Lake Tribune Published: 3/29/20 In this time of national emergency, it may seem relatively trivial to concern oneself with anything other than our own personal and community well-being. However, the well-being of our environment and public lands that contribute to Utahns quality of life is also experiencing
Coalition OP-ED: No one at the helm of America’s national parks
Theresa Pierno is president and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association. Phil Francis is chair of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and former superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It has been just over three years since President Trump took the oath of office, and the lack of permanent leaders in this
Member Op-ed: Organ Pipe Cactus Will Suffer Irreversible Destruction
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is home to a thriving community of plants and animals. In fact, this national monument is also an International Biosphere Reserve, recognized for its conservation of the unique resources representing a pristine example of an intact Sonoran Desert ecosystem. But the health and continued protection of this irreplaceable ecosystem is
Member OP-ED: Time to end wasteful, speculative oil & gas leasing
When I was Superintendent at Joshua Tree National Park, the number one reason visitors cited for coming to the park was to experience its stunningly beautiful undeveloped views and vistas, which extended well beyond the park’s boundaries. Clearly, the same motivation compels visitors to other national parks across the country, especially those located in the
Member OP-ED: Bill Would Balance Interest in Parks
My name is Doug Morris and I served 40 years with the National Park Service. I live in Montana and serve as an executive council member for the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. The purpose of this letter is to urge U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte to cosponsor the bipartisan House bill, H.R. 3225, the
OP-ED: Restore oil and gas leasing master plans
CPANP Executive Council member Sarah Bransom submitted this Op-Ed to The Daily Camera, Boulder, CO – 1/30/20 My name is Sarah Bransom and I am a retired National Park Service professional. I spent 32 years in federal service and now serve as a member of the executive council for the Coalition to Protect America’s National
Member OP-ED: Trump is Threatening America’s Cornerstone of Environmental Law to Allow for Backroom Deals
TRUMP IS THREATENING AMERICA’S CORNERSTONE OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW TO ALLOW FOR BACKROOM DEALS | NEWSWEEK OPINION JUDITH HAZEN CONNERY The Trump administration’s proposal to exempt some of the nation’s most controversial developments, such as pipelines and mines, from scrutiny under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is more than just a bone thrown to corporate
OP-ED: Maine needs a fully funded LWCF
Op-ed by Mike Murray: Maine needs a fully funded LWCF The Land and Water Conservation Fund is our nation’s most important program to conserve irreplaceable landscapes and cultural heritage sites. The fund has received bipartisan support throughout 10 administrations, protected more than 7.6 million acres of land, and supported more than 41,000 parks, ballfields
Op-ed: For the good of Maine, the Land and Water Conservation Fund must be fully funded.
By Sheridan Steele, Opinion guest column • December 7, 2019 10:39 am One of the greatest gifts Maine could receive this holiday season is full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund to be included in the fiscal year 2020 federal budget. LWCF enjoys wide bipartisan backing and is our nation’s most important program to conserve
OP-ED: Congress must keep promise on conservation fund
Brenda Barrett Wednesday November 20, 2019 01:14 PM Guest opinion: Congress must keep promise on conservation fund Pennsylvania counts on program that protects landscapes, cultural heritage sites. The Land and Water Conservation Fund, or LWCF, is our nation’s preeminent conservation program protecting our irreplaceable landscapes and cultural heritage sites. I should know; I have served
Coalition Meets with Portland Press Herald Editorial Board
Coalition Executive Council member Mike Murray recently met with the editorial staff at the Portland Press Herald to discuss the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Herald published this editorial following their conversation. Editorials Published – December 2, 2019 Our View: Land and Water Conservation Fund needs protecting The federal program has purchased
OP-ED: Uranium mining threatens water, natural heritage
By Patricia J. Kelly and Robert Arnberger Special to the Arizona Daily Star Nov 17, 2019 The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writers. Arizonans know that water is life; it is vital to us all and sustains our livelihoods. We cannot afford to let powerful industry interests sacrifice our water to
Member OP-ED: Concerned about OHV damage to national parks
Concerned about OHV damage to national parks By Allyson Mathis Moab Times-Independent – Letter to the editor Oct. 18, 2019 Editor, I am one of the many, many Moab residents who have great concern about the damage that allowing OHVs on roads in Utah national parks would cause, and appreciate Rep. John Curtis stating that
OP-ED: Protecting America’s national parks and our national identity
Coalition executive council member Sarah Bransom submitted her opinion article to The Hill on October 10, 2019. America’s national parks and public lands are at the core of our national identity. Throughout their existence, congressional representatives from both sides of the aisle have supported them, recognizing their importance to land conservation, outdoor recreation and economic
OP-ED: Protect America’s Best Idea
Coalition Executive Council member Maria Burks Op-Ed published in the September 27th, 2019 edition of the New York Daily News. Our National Park System has been called America’s best idea for good reason. From the battlefields at Gettysburg to the sweeping vistas of Rocky Mountain, our national parks represent our shared American identity and heritage.
OP-ED: Vermont Benefits Greatly from LWCF
Coalition members Rolf Diamant and Abby Miller describe how Vermont benefits greatly from the Land and Water Conservation Fund program and believe full and mandatory funding is vital for its continued success. https://www.rutlandherald.com/opinion/commentary/lwcf-must-receive-full-funding/article_046620f2-e7c2-5b74-9226-4ad8ac8fa904.html
OPINION: Alaska’s parks and public lands deserve protection
Coalition member and former Alaska NPS Regional Director Marcia Blaszak wrote in support of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund as an essential tool for protecting America’s national parks and public lands. OPINION: Alaska’s parks and public lands deserve protection
Opinion: Land and Water Conservation Fund benefits South Carolina
As superintendent at Fort Sumter and throughout my 35-year career with the National Park Service (NPS), I worked to protect and preserve our nation’s most treasured natural and cultural resources. I saw firsthand the value of getting Americans outside, into our national parks and connected with their heritage. I also saw the importance of the
Letter to the Editor: Tipton should support Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act
Executive Council member Sarah Bransom submitted this letter to the Editor of the Steamboat Pilot & Today in Northwest Colorado. Sarah Bransom: Tipton should support Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act News | May 16, 2019 I was pleased to read Congressman Scott Tipton’s op-ed about celebrating National Park Week. He wrote that he has
Pipeline Proposal a Threat to Nevada’s Public Lands
Former National Park Service Superintendents and current Nevada residents Mark Butler and Alan O’Neill submitted the following Op-Ed to the Reno Gazette-Journal about potential threats to Nevada national park lands. AB30 THREATENS NEVADA’S NATIONAL PARK AND PUBLIC LANDS Pipeline projects across the nation threaten our public lands and natural resources. Unfortunately, Nevada is not immune
OP-ED: Senator Gardner Must Provide Oversight to Keep Colorado’s Public Lands Safe
Coalition member Scot McElveen submitted this Op-ed calling for Senator Gardner to provide real oversight of the Interior Department so that Secretary David Bernhardt’s former clients and special interests are not put ahead of protecting our nation’s public lands. Read Scott’s Op-ed here.
LWCF Deserves Full Funding
LWCF has a huge impact in communities and states across the country. Read Coalition Executive Council member Mike Murray’s oped in the Portland Press Herald on the importance of LWCF in his home state of Maine. https://www.pressherald.com/2019/05/15/commentary-program-that-protects-americas-outdoor-places-deserves-full-federal-funding/
Stop Alarming Changes Proposed to National Register
Coalition Executive Council Member Bob Mackreth voices concern about proposed changes to the National Register in this op-ed that appears in National Parks Traveler. https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2019/04/op-ed-alarming-changes-proposed-federal-historic-preservation-rules
New Interior Chief Poses Threat to our National Parks
An op-ed from Coalition member Laura Rotegard in the Kitsap Sun. https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/opinion/columnists/2019/04/11/your-turn-trumps-interior-nominee-poses-threat-our-national-parks/3437425002/
Why Bernhardt is Unfit to Serve as Secretary
An op-ed by Coalition member Steve Martin: http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/opinion/report/040419_interior_sec_op/why-david-bernhardt-unfit-serve-as-interior-secretary/
Why Interior Secretary nominee David Bernhardt is bad for Arizona.
Coalition member Bill Wade wrote the following op-ed for the Arizona Daily Star: https://tucson.com/opinion/local/bill-wade-why-interior-secretary-nominee-bernhardt-is-bad-for/article_cfde9818-c750-50df-b2db-30c6589c1d53.html
Bernhardt is Not the Secretary of the Interior that Colorado Needs
Sarah Bransom is a native Coloradan and former National Park Service employee. She serves on the Executive Council for the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Read her op-ed in the Colorado Sun – https://coloradosun.com/2019/03/28/david-bernhardt-interior-department-bennet-gardner-opinion/
Bernhardt is a Threat to Maine’s National Parks and Public Lands
Mike Murray is a thirty-four-year veteran of the National Park Service and an Executive Council Member for the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Read his op-ed about Mr. Bernhardt in The Times-Record. https://www.timesrecord.com/articles/opinion/retired-park-service-employee-bernhardt-is-bad-news-for-maines-national-park-and-public-lands/
Bernhardt is Bad News for West Virginia Parks
Rebecca Harriett is the former Superintendent at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and an Executive Council Member for the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Read her op-ed in the Charleston Gazette-Mail about the troubling nomination of David Bernhardt for Secretary of the Interior. https://www.wvgazettemail.com/opinion/gazette_opinion/op_ed_commentaries/rebecca-l-harriett-bernhardt-is-bad-news-for-wv-parks/article_af29484b-cc6e-547d-b063-e6cb6e8cfa00.html
Opinion: Congress must fund land, water conservation program
Many of our public lands are at risk if lawmakers don’t reinstate the half-century-old deal. Click here to read commentary by Jon Jarvis, 18th director of the U.S. National Park Service, in the Mercury News, San Francisco, CA.
Letters to the Editor Opinion: The real shutdown ‘charade’
Coalition member and former superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park Mark Butler submitted his Op-Ed to the Washington Post – Letters to the Editor.
Former Great Smoky Mountains Superintendent: Phil Francis park should be closed until shutdown ends
Watch Phil Francis, Chairman of The Coalition to Protect Americas National Parks and former Great Smoky Mountains Superintendent explain why the park should be closed until shutdown ends.
National Parks Traveler: Coalition Urges Improved NPS Training on Ethics Standards
In an op-ed published in National Parks Traveler, the Coalition calls for the NPS to reform the system it uses to educate its employees on how to work with fundraising partner organizations. Click here to see the article
Time is running out for America’s most important parks program
Coalition Chair, Phil Francis, penned an op-ed in The Hill discussing the urgency of LWCF reauthorization before expiration on September 30th. Click “Read More” to read the article.
Martin: Protect vital Land and Water Conservation Fund
Coalition member Dick Martin wrote an op-ed in the Bakersfield Californian about the necessity of reauthorizing LWCF. Click “Read More” to read the article.
Florida legislators, step up and save the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Read Executive Council member, Dick Ring’s op-ed in the Sun-Sentinel, urging Florida legislators to reauthorize LWCF. Click “Read More” to read the article.
The Hill: Visit a national park to see the real impacts of climate change
Dear EPA, visit a national park to see the real impacts of climate change The nation’s top environmental watchdog, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Trump administration, recently proposed a new rule to replace the Clean Power Plan, which would have significantly reduced air pollution from coal plants and helped curb future climate disasters.
Federal Court Puts Hold on Wyoming and Idaho Grizzly Bear Hunts
In good news for Yellowstone grizzly bears, a U.S District Court has issued a temporary restraining order to stop grizzly bear hunts in Wyoming and Idaho that were set to begin on September 1, 2018. Click here to see the Courthouse News Service report.
Desert Sun: Don’t let an obsolete energy project hurt Joshua Tree National Park
Coalition Executive Council member, Mark Butler, penned an op-ed opposing proposed energy development around Joshua Tree National Park. Click here to view the op-ed.
Wyoming should stop hunt of Yellowstone grizzlies
April 28, 2018 Wyoming should stop hunt of Yellowstone grizzlies By Theresa Pierno and Phil Francis guest columnists National Park Week is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of the world’s first national park at Yellowstone, as well as the 417 national park sites where people connect with our shared history, refresh their spirits
Member OP-ED: Protecting Florida’s national parks means, first, facing climate threats
Everglades National Park and the 10 other units of the National Park System in Florida are in grave jeopardy due to the ongoing impacts of climate change. Click here to see Executive Council member Dick Ring’s letter to the editor of the Broward County-based Sun-Sentinel.
Portland Press Herald: Former Acadia superintendent: Trump’s proposed budget cuts threaten national parks
“Under Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts, the dual mission of the National Park Service – providing for public use and enjoyment while protecting park resources and values, now and for future generations – will most certainly suffer.” Click here to read the op-ed from Coalition Executive Council member, Sheridan Steele, on Trump’s proposed budget
CNN: Grand Canyon is a national treasure, not a place for uranium mining
Two former NPS Superintendents, Steve Martin & Rob Arnberger, wrote an op-ed on proposed uranium mining near the Grand Canyon. Click here to see the work of these two Coalition members.
Member OP-ED: Preserve national parks. This land is your land, Florida
As the former Superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks, I have a deep appreciation for the natural wonders Florida has to offer. And so after 32 years with the National Park Service, I’ve dedicated my retirement to standing up for America’s outdoor heritage. I want to ensure that these treasures are around
Bakersfield Californian: Maintenance, repairs greatly needed in our national parks
Executive Council member, Dave Graber, spoke out in his local newspaper, the Bakersfield Californian, about the significant need to address the NPS maintenance backlog. Graber says, “Congress has a chance to turn the maintenance backlog around. If passed, the bipartisan National Park Legacy Act (S.751/H.R.2584) will ensure that there is dedicated funding for park maintenance in each year’s budget.” Click “Read More” to read Dave’s editorial.
Member OP-ED: Coalition’s letter to the editor of the Helena (MT) Independent Record
Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s recent claim that 30 percent of department employees are “not loyal to the flag” is not only ludicrous but also deeply insulting to the hundreds of dedicated Interior employees who live and work in Zinke’s home state of Montana. Click “Read More” to see the Coalition’s letter to the editor of the Helena (MT) Independent Record.
OP-ED: The Old Dominion deserves better from Dominion Electric
By Pat Tiller October 28, 2016 Pat Tiller, who retired in 2005 after 30 years with the National Park Service, is a lecturer on historic preservation at George Washington University. We must soon make a choice for which future generations of Virginians and Americans will forever hold us responsible. Dominion Virginia Power plans to
Member OP-ED: Protecting America’s Parks
This spring, after nearly 10 years of thinking, talking, searching and hoping, a dream came true for many of us who spent our careers working in national parks. On March 3, the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks announced the establishment of the Park Institute of America in collaboration with the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. Click “Read More” for the full article.
Op-Ed: This Is No Time To Give Up On America’s National Treasures
There is no denying that many of America’s national parks and historic places are in disrepair today or offering shortened visitor hours, fewer interpretive guides, and other services that should make a visit to one of our national crown jewels a special experience. This is a tragedy, but it is no reason to give up on preserving more of what makes America unique.
Op-Ed: “The most beautiful places on earth: Our public parks and open space”
“With the LWCF expiring in less than 100 days, Congress must act to ensure that future generations have access to healthy outdoor recreation resources. Debate in Congress raises fears that it will fail to continue this valuable program. Congress is failing to demonstrate the kind of overwhelming bipartisan support for conservation and recreation that led to the creation of the Fund 50 years ago and the protection of so many important areas throughout the nation. It’s time for Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund.”
The Coalition Guest Shot Jackson Hole News & Guide 1.15.14
Park’s Duty To Protect Wilson Corridor I am writing on behalf of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees (CNPSR) which represents nearly 1000 members who collectively have some 30,000 years of national park management experience. The Coalition has been closely following the progress towards development of a comprehensive management plan for the Moose-Wilson corridor