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In
this season of giving, I wanted to share
with you news of a very important event.
As you may already know, the National Park
Trust is the only private charity that has
acquired and owned a unit of the national
park system: the Tallgrass Prairie
National Preserve.
We took
on this challenge at a time when it was
financially difficult to do so, when other
developers were eying it eagerly and when
no other organization could or would step
forward.
We agreed
to hold this land in a trust for the
American people to enjoy until it could be
transferred to either federal or local
trustees. Last year, we completed a
transfer of the core of the park to the
U.S National Park Service.
This
month, I am proud to announce that I have
signed a historic agreement, transferring
the balance of the preserve to a new local
entity – the Kansas Park Trust.
I’m sharing this story with you because
sometimes, we do not see the fruits of our
labor until much later. Sometimes it takes
months; other times it takes years. But
NPT will always remain committed to
protecting as much of America’s parklands
as possible – no matter how long it takes.
Generous
contributions from individuals like you
make all that we do possible. Every acre,
every yard of parkland is precious – and
deserves to be enjoyed.
You know
what is the most satisfying part of my
job? It’s not transferring lands, or
acquiring new ones. It’s taking a walk in
one of the parks we’ve saved….watching the
wildlife roam free… listening to a family
enjoying time together.
I can’t put
a price tag on these
memories…unfortunately, other people can.
That’s
why our organization needs to work twice
as hard to ensure these memories can
prevail.
I know
you love our parklands as much as I do,
and want to see them preserved for
generations on end. I urge you to commit
your time and resources to this cause.
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season
and happy and healthy New Year.
Please email me
at
paul@parktrust.org . Until then . .
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