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Funding to decide fate of national parks
Victory! In December 2007, Congress approved $122 million dollars in increased funding to operate our national parks. As Interior Appropriations Chair, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) used her leadership to push this first important step in bridging the Parks’ estimated $800 million shortfall. In 2008 we'll work to ensure that all our Parks—from the Smokies to Yosemite—have the resources for rangers, trails, and wildlife programs so that our parks remain a treasure from generation to generation.
What's at stake
The diversity of the United States’ landscapes can both shock and stun the senses. From the vibrant oranges and reds of the fall foliage in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to the mossy greens of California’s Redwood National Park, it’s easy to see why these parks were created to protect the crown jewels of our natural heritage.
But over the past 30 years, Congress has neglected our national parks, leaving them underfunded and falling into disrepair. Now, beloved places like Yosemite are plagued by air pollution and threatened by encroaching vacation homes and oil, gas and timber interests.
But we have a chance to protect and restore our national parks. With Congress and the president poised to decide funding for our parks, we need to show decision-makers how much our national treasures mean to us.
