National Parks Need More Money, Say Montana Members of New Coalition; Group Calls for $280 Million Increase for Park Service

2/27/2002

From: Dave Dittloff, Americans for National Parks, 406-360-5697 ( cell) Jon Catton of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, 406-581-7962 (cell) Carol Beck-Edgar of the Flathead Convention and Visitors Bureau, 406-756-9091

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 -- At a press conference today, the new coalition of Americans for National Parks, including several organizations from Montana, called for an additional $280 million in the National Park Services fiscal year 2003 operating budget to protect national parks across the country.

"The President's proposed budget does not provide enough money to meet the needs of the parks," said Americans for National Parks Campaign Director Jennifer Coken.

Research has shown that on average, the national parks receive only two-thirds of the funding needed to fulfill their mission. For example, exotic plant species threaten the ecosystem and the survival of elk, bighorn sheep, and other grazers at Glacier National Park. Grand Teton National Park has insufficient staff to research, preserve, and interpret more than 400 prehistoric Native American cultural sites identified within the park. And lack of funding at Yellowstone means that only six percent of the parks 2.8 million annual visitors enjoy a ranger-led interpretive program. As a result, scores of park visitors leave with questions unanswered and educational opportunities lost.

"Preserving our national parks is a logical and important investment in America's future. From the Statue of Liberty to Yellowstone how can we not do for the next generation what the previous has done for us?" said Hope Sieck, Associate Program Director, Greater Yellowstone Coalition.

An Americans for National Parks Steering Committee Member, Sieck was in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday for the 2002 Conference of Americans for National Parks and lobbied Congress to increase funding for Yellowstone and all national parks.

The Flathead Convention and Visitors Bureau (FCVB) is also a member of Americans for National Parks. "Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is an integral part of the tourism experience here in northwest Montana," said Executive Director Carol Beck-Edgar. "Our members are well aware of the problems that have resulted from a lack of funding for this and all our national parks. The FCVB voted to join the Americans for National Parks in order to add our voice to those who understand and will promote the need for full, immediate funding of our National Park System."

Other local members of Americans for National Parks include CSI Tours, Our Montana, Inc., North Fork Preservation Association, and Wild Things Unlimited.

"We need everyone's support," Coken said, "because there's just too much to lose."

------ Americans for National Parks is a growing coalition of nonprofit organizations, businesses, trade associations, individuals, and other nonpartisan supporters of the national parks, working to encourage Congress and the administration to address the full needs of the National Park System. Campaign information is available at www.americansfornationalparks.org.