Washington’s National Park Fund has set a fundraising goal of $600,000 in 2012. The funds will be used to support to Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic national parks.
This is the group’s most ambitious goal. Earlier this year, the fund awarded $350,000 in grants that were raised in 2010-11, a bit shy of the $400,000 goal it had set. In 2010, the fund gave $285,000 to the three parks and $200,000 in 2009.
Past projects supported by the fund include family camping opportunities and efforts to protect the Cascade red fox at Mount Rainier, Roosevelt elk surveys and Elwha River education efforts at Olympic and youth programs and improvements to Monogram Lake Trail and campsites at North Cascades.
“We understand that our parks are a treasure for the people of Washington state, our nation and the world,” said Executive Director Laurie Ward.
“We are thrilled to once again work to support them in reaching key goals of protecting natural resources, encouraging new generations to experience our parks, enhancing the overall visitor experience and leaving a legacy for the future,” she added.
Ward said the fund’s board of directors agreed to the ambitious goal after hearing National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis issue a “Call to Action” in late August.
As the Park Service prepares for its 100th anniversary in 2016, Jarvis outlined a plan to prepare the nation’s parks for a second century of stewardship and engagement.
Part of Jarvis’ plan is to engage the “power of philanthropy to provide legacy support for the NPS both nationwide and at the individual park level.”
“Our 2012 projects match those outlined by the National Park Service and we look forward to working together to expand the NPS’ contributions to society in its next century,” Ward said.
Visit wnpf.org to learn more about our projects and to make a donation.
COLORS ABOUND
I’ve heard from several sources that the meadows around Paradise are awash in color. Not only are the wildflowers – by now typically dried up – still in full bloom, you can add the first brushes of fall colors.
The hillsides leading up to Paradise are loaded with vine maples turning orange and yellow. Along state Route 410 at Chinook Pass, visitors can see the western larch trees as they turn yellow amid the stands of evergreens.
Park visitors should remember that the eastern portion of Stevens Canyon Road is closed for repairs.
Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640
jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure
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