Foundation Launches "30 Days Of Giving" Campaign at www.nationalparks.org/Give30 To Fund National Park Programs in 2014 and Beyond

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, is wrapping up 2013 with a series of successes including the conclusion of the Flight 93 National Memorial capital campaign, connecting more than 100,000 people with America's national parks, and more.  Recognizing the ongoing critical needs of the parks and the park community, the Foundation has launched the "30 Days of Giving" campaign aimed at raising $500,000 in vital support for the parks before year's end at www.nationalparks.org/Give30.

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"In our 46^th year supporting the National Park Service and our nation's more than 400 national parks, we are proud of all that we have accomplished.  We are protecting more treasured places, inspiring more young people, and connecting more individuals to our national parks than ever," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation.  "We look forward to continuing this important work in 2014 as we stand united with park enthusiasts across the country and the globe – working to shape the next century of our national parks together."

The National Park Foundation works to address the unique and changing needs of the parks across the country including conservation and preservation efforts, establishing national parks as powerful place-based learning environments, and giving all audiences an equal and abundant opportunity to experience, enjoy and support America's treasured places. The National Park Foundation creates programs to inspire the next generation of park stewards, strengthen and advance local philanthropic park partners, and also raise critical funds for parks devastated by fires, floods and other disasters.   

In 2013, the National Park Foundation achieved numerous successes in support of America's national parks including:

• The National Park Foundation completed its capital campaign for the Flight 93 National Memorial, raising more than $40 million and ensuring that private funding for the memorial's major features and phases is in place. The National Park Foundation also helped to establish a local philanthropic organization, the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, which will continue to fundraise on behalf of the national memorial. 
• Through its Ticket to Ride, Active Trails, and America's Best Idea programs, the National Park Foundation connected more than 100,000 people with their national parks and for many, it was their first visit to a national park.  One of the National Park Foundation's Transportation Scholars secured $10.3 million from the Federal Lands Access Program for the Gardiner Gateway Project, which is redesigning the historic Roosevelt Arch entrance at Yellowstone National Park.
• The American Latino Heritage Fund of the National Park Foundation launched its 2013 @American_Latino Expedition in which bloggers from across the country applied for the opportunity to participate in a national park adventure focusing on education, park stewardship, outdoor recreation and exploration, all the while highlighting historic American Latino contributions at each site. Bloggers reached new and diverse audiences and shared their experiences online through blogs and social media using the hashtag #ALEx13.
• The African American Experience Fund of the National Park Foundation worked with Google and Organic, Inc. to create a first-of-its-kind web and mobile destination to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech. Not only was the public invited to read MLK's words and engage with the historic moment in history, but everyone was given the opportunity to become part of a meaningful audio mosaic online by recording their own voice saying MLK's words at www.WeAreStillMarching.com.
• In response to the vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial, the National Park Foundation created the #RespectLincoln campaign which garnered support and funds necessary to clean up the memorial and further efforts to protect national parks against vandalism.

For more information on how to support America's more than 400 national parks, visit www.nationalparks.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATIONThe National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, raises private funds that directly aid, support and enrich America's more than 400 national parks and their programs.  Chartered by Congress as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation plays a critical role in conservation and preservation efforts, establishing national parks as powerful learning environments, and giving all audiences an equal and abundant opportunity to experience, enjoy and support America's treasured places.

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MEDIA CONTACT:Alanna Sobel, National Park Foundation, 202.354.6486, asobel@nationalparks.org

SOURCE National Park Foundation

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