Dear Friends,
What would you like to save? Protecting
parkland is diverse, if nothing else.
First, we are "all over the map,"
literally. We have projects in Northern
California, North Dakota, Wyoming,
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, West
Virginia, Florida, Virginia, Vermont,
and New York. In fact, over 24 years,
there are less than a hand full of
states where we have not done a project.
Then there are the types of land
preservation projects, from historic
sites to natural areas, from linear foot
trails to wetlands. And size is another
factor, from 12,000-acre natural areas
to inner city acre home sites of
America's heroes. Currently, for
example, our efforts in Florida are
focused on saving 12,000 acres located
in Big Cypress that are being illegally
squatted on by occasional users. But
their cabins are permanent, as are their
ATV tracks.
In fact, you never know what will come
in the mail, by email or by phone. One
person wanted NPT to save an Alaskan
National Park unit from an international
resort on five acres inside the park's
five million acres. The next email may
ask us to save their favorite ball field
in their local park. And we get requests
to save places overseas. The site of
Christopher Columbus' landing in the New
World was one.
Most of our projects are from folks who
are desperate. Be they private
landowners or local officials, federal
employees or private advocates, they
commonly are concerned about a place
they feel will be lost; a place they
believe should be protected. Usually
they have worked for publicly funded
solutions before they come to NPT. Often
they have been to local citizen groups
like land trusts that are overwhelmed
with local needs. Most often, we have to
work in a very short timeframe. Such
was the case with our Virgin Island
project and our Rocky Mountain project.
Usually the threat is from subdivision
activities. In one case in the Black
Canyon of the Gunnison, the subdivision
was several thousand homes inside the
park. In another, it is one house at
Harpers Ferry that will destroy the
historic view at Jefferson Rock.
Parklands are one of the most sought
after properties left to purchase and
see appreciate without failure. Lands
surrounding parklands is a close second.
A study of common features of lands in
demand showed that lands on water bodies
were usually the most in demand,
followed by lands abutting parklands.
And who would not like to have a four
million acre backyard, as is the case
around Yellowstone, to name one place in
demand.
But even with this "diversity", there
are common features. The most important
of which is the commitment of private
citizens to save America's natural and
historical heritage for others.
While there are surprises everyday,
there is comfort in this sort of
commitment.
We hope that you wil continue to support
our mission. Your gifts are the
cornerstone of our organization.
Best regards,
Paul
C. Pritchard
National Park Trust (NPT)
(301) 279-7275
Please email me
at
paul@parktrust.org |
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