Story last updated at 8:46 PM on Wednesday, November 8, 2006

National parks need help

With divisive election rhetoric behind us, it is important to remember that there are issues with widespread bi-partisan support, such as protecting and preserving America’s national parks. Across the 50 states, national parks are the embodiment of America’s history, culture, and natural abundance, providing every American with living classrooms to experience all that is great about our country.  

In 10 short years, America’s National Park System will celebrate its 100th birthday. Yet, if that birthday party were held today, the parks wouldn’t be ready.  National parks across the country and here in Alaska suffer from chronic funding shortfalls, resulting in fewer rangers to help visitors safely enjoy the backcountry and educate visiting friends and relatives about the wonders of Denali and Glacier Bay.

Lost are opportunities to make it easier to experience our parks, such as improving the drive to McCarthy in Wrangell-St. Elias.  In the Lower 48, visitor centers, campgrounds, trails, and park roads are in dire need of repair. We need a plan and vision to reinvigorate the health of our entire national park system for its 100th birthday.

The National Parks Conservation Association has proposed a comprehensive plan for fixing Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias and all of our national parks, in response to the new National Parks Centennial Challenge issued by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne this summer.    It’s up to all of us to make this challenge a reality, so I am taking the Pledge to Fix Our Parks at www.npca.org. Will you?

Jim Stratton

Alaska Regional Director

National Parks Conservation Association

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