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In Memoriam
NPCA was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Ranger Margaret Anderson at Mount Rainier National Park on January 1. We offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends, and our admiration and appreciation for all the men and women who serve the public by wearing the park ranger uniform.
FEATURED PARKS
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Can you imagine six million acres of forests, glaciers, mountains, rivers, and valleys, with just one winding road leading into the rugged wilderness? Denali National Park is best known for Mount McKinley, North America's tallest mountain—but its vast landscapes encompass a wonderland of peaks and valleys and offer a sanctuary for bears, foxes, lynx, moose, wolves, and some 167 bird species. Most of the park's 400,000 annual visitors arrive in the summer, but the long, dark winters offer snowy solitude, stark vistas, and plenty of activities for those who are experienced and comfortable dealing with extreme weather. Those who would rather enjoy the park from the warmth of their homes can view our slideshow and read our 2009 National Parks magazine article on search-and-rescue operations on Mount McKinley.
If You Go > >
Denali's snows generally settle in around September or October and blanket the landscape until April. Road access and daylight are both extremely limited, and temperatures routinely reach -40 degrees F. Still intrigued? You'll find opportunities for snowshoeing, camping, stargazing, and, with any luck, a glimpse of the aurora borealis.
View the Slideshow > >
Alaska: This Land Is Our Land, Too
 Alaska's national parks and preserves attract visitors from around the world for the opportunity to see glaciers, mountains, and wildlife such as bears and wolves. Have you been lucky enough to spend time in America's northernmost national parks? If so, what was your most memorable experience? Was it the opportunity to see grizzly bears, caribou, and other wildlife in their natural habitats? And were you able to capture any of it on your camera? Whether your Alaska exploration was 30 years or 30 days ago, we want to hear your stories and see your photographs.
NPCA is working to roll back objectionable hunting regulations enforced by the Alaska Board of Game. Your personal photos and stories can help inspire decisionmakers to protect Alaska's wildlife.
Read and Share Alaska Stories > >
OUR LATEST CAMPAIGN
A Banner Year for the Parks
 Each new year at NPCA, we like to pause and take a look back at the past year's national park success stories. And despite some significant challenges, 2011 was a great year for our national parks. Restoring the Elwha River, maintaining the historic character of Gettysburg, and protecting clean air in the Great Smoky Mountains—these were just a few of the key victories you helped forge in 2011.
Learn More > >
NPCA AT WORK IN THE PARKS
NPCA Offers Sustainable Fishing Lesson Along Biscayne Bay with Support from Nature Valley
 It was a perfect December morning to catch a fish on Biscayne Bay—there was a warm breeze over the calm, turquoise waters, and plenty of bait. NPCA gathered youth aged 9 to 20 from the Overtown Youth Center and Mahogany Youth Foundation, and staff from City of Miami Commissioner Suarez's office, to share ways to fish sustainably. Perched on an old bridge adjacent to Biscayne National Park, children shrieked with delight as they reeled up one fish after another. This fun and successful event, made possible by generous funding provided by Nature Valley, engaged urban youth in the joys of sustainable recreational angling. In addition to learning how to use and hold a fishing pole, bait a hook, and reel in a catch, the participants also learned catch-and-release techniques, the important use of circle hooks (which cause less damage to marine animals caught accidentally), the threats of discarded fishing line to marine and bird life, and the specifics of fishing regulations. The group then lunched at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park where local preservationist Gene Tinnie shared stories of this once-segregated site. The group considered the need to preserve these stories as much as the need to preserve our natural habitat so that current and future generations can enjoy and experience these special places together.
NPCA AT WORK IN THE PARKS
Birders Flock to Battlefields as Part of Audubon's Annual Count
 NPCA helped to organize 25 bird-counting events at Civil War parks around the country this winter as part of the National Audubon Society's 112th annual Christmas Bird Count. The focus on battlefields helped to draw attention to the wildlife habitat offered at these sites, which are treasured for their historic value but often forgotten for their natural beauty. View our interactive map with information on these inspirational sites and highlights from the bird counts, including species of note and comments from participants--and stay tuned for future NPCA birding events.
View the Map > >
YOU'RE INVITED
NPCA's Annual Salute to the Parks Awards Gala
 Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Washington, DC
NPCA's annual Salute to the Parks Gala offers one of the largest and most influential gatherings involving the conservation and environmental communities. This year, Yosemite National Park Ranger Shelton Johnson will receive the Robin W. Winks Award for Enhancing Public Understanding of National Parks for his nearly quarter-century of service as a National Park Service ranger and interpreter.
We hope you will consider joining this wonderful celebration of our national parks and opportunity to support NPCA's efforts to preserve our parks for future generations. For more information about the event, visit us online or contact Elizabeth Jordan at ejordan@npca.org or 800.628.7275.
Learn More > >
YOU'RE INVITED
Oh, Shenandoah! Photo Exhibit
 Through February 25
Orange, Virginia
Shenandoah National Park just celebrated its 75th anniversary, and a new photography exhibit helps share the park's spectacular beauty. The Oh, Shenandoah! exhibit displays winners from photography contests held throughout Virginia in 2011, hosted by the Shenandoah National Park Trust.
Learn More > >
YOU'RE INVITED
Fee-Free Days: January 14-16
This Martin Luther King Day weekend, entrance fees will be waived throughout the entire National Park System! So if you've been putting off a trip to your favorite park, mark your calendar to get in for free.
Find a Park Near You > >
Experience Saguaro's BioBlitz with National Parks Magazine
 In October, National Parks Editor-in-Chief Scott Kirkwood visited Saguaro National Park in Arizona to document the fifth annual BioBlitz—a 24-hour event where students, scientists, and everyday citizens catalogue every living thing in sight. Read the article and watch the short video to learn all about it.
See the BioBlitz Video > >
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Won't You Partner with Us?
NPCA's Partners for the Parks are committed members who express their support for our national parks through an automatic monthly gift. It's a simple, convenient, and manageable way to protect and enhance our national parks. Together, we make a difference!
Join Partners for the Parks Today > >
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Protect the Parks While You're at Work
 One of the easiest ways to donate to the National Parks Conservation Association is by contributing through your workplace charity campaign. EarthShare manages giving campaigns in workplaces for environmental and conservation charities. When you contribute to NPCA through your employer's campaign, you pledge a small amount of each paycheck to be automatically deducted to help protect and restore our national parks. It's the simplest, easiest and most efficient way to give.
NPCA is listed in a variety of workplace fund drives including the largest workplace giving campaign in the nation—the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) for employees of the federal government and the U.S. military (#12069), many state and local government campaigns, several United Way campaigns, and a growing number of corporate and foundation campaign drives.
Find Out More > >
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PARKS IN THE NEWS
Santa Rosa Island Open Year-Round to the Public
For the first time ever, Santa Rosa Island in California's Channel Islands National Park is now open to visitors 365 days a year. A private hunting operation closed last month that had limited access to most of the island for up to five months a year. The move is a boon for park enthusiasts looking to experience the second-largest island off the coast of California, featuring 53,000 acres of mountains, cliffs, beaches, and diverse plant and animal species. Boat access to all five of the Channel Islands, sometimes referred to as the Galapagos of the United States, is just an hour away from the Los Angeles area, making them a convenient urban retreat. The change comes at an opportune time for whale watchers, as late December through mid-March is the best time to see gray whales from the islands. The improved access could also bode well for future restoration and research projects.
Learn More > >
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 National Parks, our award-winning quarterly magazine, is an exclusive benefit of NPCA membership.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY >>
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TRAVEL WITH NPCA
Webinar: New Year's in YellowstoneJanuary 17, 2012
Have you always wanted to travel to Yellowstone in the wintertime to witness Old Faithful's first eruption in the new year? Join Dr. Jim Nations, NPCA's vice president of the Center for Park Research, as he recounts his recent trip with NPCA's ParkScapes travel program to Yellowstone National Park over the New Year's holiday.
When: January 17th, 2012, 1:30-2:30pm EST
What: An hour-long informational session on NPCA'S New Year's in Yellowstone trip and ParkScapes program
How: Click here to participate in the webinar
For more information call NPCA at 800.628.7275, email travel@npca.org, or visit us online at www.npca.org/wonderland.
Learn More > >
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Feedback? Story ideas? Email us at npca@npca.org.
Are you having trouble making a donation online? Call us at 1.800.628.7275 Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time and one of our representatives will be able to assist you.
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From All the Staff at NPCA,
Thank you for your time and dedication in helping to enhance and protect our national parks for present and future generations.
NPCA's park-protection work is made possible by the generous support of people like you. Membership is just $25, and includes a subscription to our award-winning National Parks magazine, recently recognized for excellence in coverage of environmental tourism by the Society of American Travel Writers. Join Us Today!
Park Lines is a publication of the National Parks Conservation Association. E-mail us at TakeAction@npca.org, write to us at 777 6th Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20001, or call us at 800.NAT.PARK (800.628.7275).
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