Saving the Legacy of the National System of Parks

"This year's Legacy 2000 report by the National Park Trust is
an important signal to all Americans to respond to this call to action to protect and defend our magnificent natural heritage."
- Senator John McCain

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Table of Contents

The Crisis in Our Parks

Executive Summary, The Dream Continues

State of the State Parks

Access to Public Conservation Lands

Assessment of Conservation Lands

Threats to Our State Parks

Top 10 Most Threatened State Parks

Update: National Parks Top Twenty Get Low Priority by the Government

Comparison of Top 20 NPS High Priorities and the Land & Water Conservation Fund

Unique Ways That States, Parks, and Individuals Have Helped

Leading the Way: Virginia Association for Parks

Saving Parkland Isn't Hard: How We Do It, The Story of the Balclutha

Saving the Earth: From Environmental Activist to Print Shop Owner

How YOU Can Help

Conservation Leader Donates Land to Initiate Property for Park Program

How the Property for Parks Program Can Work for You

Sampling of Media Coverage (New Report)

Study finds state parks endangered nationwide - CNN
Are Our State Parks Endangered? - ABC News
Study Finds State Parks Endangered - Washington Post
Report tracks sprawl and state parks - MSNBC
Report: Sprawl Imperil Parks - Denver Post
Study Finds State Parks Endangered - Yahoo News
State Parks at Risk Across the U.S. - ENS
Endangered Species: State parks threatened by the maw of sprawl - ENN
Civilization imperiling state's parks - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sprawl's Long Arm Touching State Parks, Report Warns - Stateline.org
State Parks Threatened Says Report - EarthVision
Sprawl is Threatening State Parks, Study Says - The Inquirer, philly.com
Georgia Tops Nation's Most Endangered State Parks List - Outside Online
N.C. parks threatened, study says - Winston-Salem Journal
Blackwater Falls makes endangered list - Charleston Gazette
Live Chat on AOL - Aug. 24, 2000 - Transcript

Sampling of Media Coverage (Last Report)

Worry Over Land in Parks - ABC News
Acres held privately worry parks group - Chicago Tribune
Private Lands Within Public Parks - ENS
Private land in danger of being lost - Boulder News
National Parks vs Private Lands - MSNBC
National Park Trust targets private land inside Mojave Desert - Las Vegas Review-Journal
National group pushes for Blackwater park - Charleston Gazette
Live Broadcast - C-SPAN *Need RealPlayer? Click Here!
Live Chat on AOL - Transcript
Congressman Regula Commends NPT - Press Release

To obtain a copy of the report "Saving the Legacy of the National System of Parks", please contact National Park Trust, 202-548-0500.

Call to Action

In-holdings are privately held land still in the boudaries of national and state parks. This land is vulnerable to development such as resorts or subdivisions. The National Park Trust is actively involved in finding ways to acquire in-holdings for preservation in the national park system. With 7 million acres still privately owned, the challenge is daunting. The National Park Trust funds available to national and state park directors are slowly reducing such in-holdings, but we still need your help. If you would like to participate in your favorite park or contribute, please contact the National Park Trust. We will be sure that your concern is represented as we fight this most significant threat.