America’s national parks should be protected, not shortchanged

From the jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park, to the salmon runs up the North Cascades, to the sawgrass marshes of the Everglades, America’s national parks have some of the most beautiful sights in the country.

They are where some of our most unforgettable memories are formed—our first childhood hike, our first time sleeping under the stars, and our first glimpse of wildlife. They are home to thousands of different native plants and wildlife, and a source of clean air and drinking water.

No wonder writer Wallace Stegner called our nation’s parks “America’s best idea.” Yet incredibly, despite threats ranging from overdevelopment, pollution, mining, drilling and logging, as well as crumbling roads and facilities, if Congress doesn’t act, funds for our parks will be slashed within months.

Our senators have a unique opportunity to protect our parks

Year after year, we have seen Congress slash funding for our parks, and recently they moved to make more sweeping cuts to parks nationwide. This is not the way to protect our most beautiful places for years to come.

That’s why we’ve created a plan to make sure Congress provides the resources needed to safeguard our parks for generations to come. Environment America is bringing citizens together to convince our senators to make protecting our national parks a top priority this year, giving our parks the funding they deserve, and helping to leave a lasting legacy for America.

Together, we can protect America's parks

Members and supporters like you make it possible for our staff to conduct research, make our case to the media, testify in Washington, D.C., and build the grassroots support necessary to protect all of our parks forever.

Parks and Conservation Updates

News Release | Environment America

Arizona State Budget Cuts Will Likely Force State Park Closures

As Gov. Jan Brewer signed off on the final budget late Wednesday, state parks throughout Arizona will likely face more closures in the coming months.

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Blog Post

It’s time for the TX Legislature to stand up for our parks | Luke Metzger

Tomorrow, inside this building, the House of Representatives will vote on a budget which would make massive cuts to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. HB 1 would cut funding for parks by 25% for the 2012-2013 biennium. These cuts could force the closure of at least seven state parks, eliminate funding for local parks and playgrounds, end leases for almost one million acres of public hunting land and hurt wildlife management efforts. 

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News Release | Environment America

Public to Weigh In on Hardrock Mining near Grand Canyon

After months of analysis, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar released a draft Environmental Impact Statement assessing the impact of hardrock mining on lands within the Grand Canyon watershed. Over the next forty-five days, the public is invited to comment on the Secretary’s proposal to withdraw up to one million acres of land around the Canyon from new mining claims.

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News Release | Environment America

America’s Great Outdoors Report Celebrates the Best of America

Environment America applauds the President for his celebration of America’s Great Outdoors in his long anticipated report highlighting findings from the Administration’s listening sessions, which asked Americans how to protect the places they value most.

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News Release | Environment America

National Parks Under Threat from Underfunding

Visitorship to national parks is on the rise but parks are threatened by underfunding according to a new report, The Best of America Under Threat from Underfunding released today by Environment America. The group warns that as our parks draw more and more visitors, they could face budget cuts in the coming year- leaving park managers with fewer resources for maintenance, upkeep and stewardship.

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