National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth Makes the Case for Increased Investment in Parks

WASHINGTON – Will Shafroth, National Park Foundation President and CEO, will testify in front of the House Natural Resources National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee about the combined power of public funding and private philanthropy to protect parks and improve visitor experience. The Subcommittee is holding a hearing to discuss eight bills, including the National Park Foundation Reauthorization Bill (H.R. 7693), which was introduced by Representatives Bruce Westerman (AR- 04) and Raul Grijalva (AZ-03).

The National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act, requiring a dollar-to-dollar match of philanthropic funding to public funding in line with the National Park Service Centennial Act, doubles the impact of investments made in national parks. The National Park Foundation Reauthorization Bill also seeks to increase the authorization level from $5 million to $15 million per year through 2030, expanding the potential impact of private, philanthropic donations to national park projects made through NPF projects and programs.

This vital legislation will enable NPF to continue its important work with the National Park Service (NPS) to improve and rehabilitate trails, visitor centers, and other facilities; to expand youth access and engagement via public lands service corps, and to conserve and improve the resiliency of park landscapes

“The National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act could not come at a better time. The Foundation’s appropriation going from $5 million to $15 million would allow us to continue to make meaningful impacts and aid parks seeing record visitation” said Will Shafroth. “NPF continues to work with NPS to deploy funding for national park improvements including rehabilitating trails, visitor centers, and other facilities, expanding youth access and engagement via public lands service corps, conserving park habitat, and boosting NPS resiliency efforts, among many others.”

Federal funds leveraged to encourage and increase philanthropic support are critical in addressing deferred maintenance projects, supporting NPS staff, and tackling other issues as park sites continue to see record visitation.

To follow the discussion, the hearing will be broadcasted live here. Learn more about the positive impact the National Park Foundation and partners are making for parks and local communities across the country at www.nationalparks.org/our-work.