Thanks to all of you who sent a contribution to NPT. This support provides all of us with the kick in the pants we need when we are faced with some incredible challenges.

What challenges? Well, for us, we continue to finish our work at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. We are proud of our decade long underwriting of this National Park unit. But it has been at great cost.

At the same time, our services as advisor to citizens and government agencies seems more in demand as we help other parks protect inholdings and create new areas. For example, in 2004, we were successful in securing more land acquisition money for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, protecting Big Cypress, helping create a new park in Oklahoma, finishing our acquisition at Ft. Stevens, (a part of Rock Creek Park), and working with citizens in Rocky Mountain National Park. We also helped fund the creation of a state park foundation -- a first!

All of this is what your contributions make possible. In 2005, our schedule is even more demanding. But we will be there for our parks--  thanks to these private donations, our only source of general support.

Watch for my next letter as I tell you about the new issues facing the parks.