Now, more than ever, it is important to support U.S. Public Lands. For those who love spending time in the outdoors, support a nonprofit that protects U.S. public land. Monetary donations are important; however, you can donate your time. As varied as the parks themselves, nonprofits protect the natural world while sponsoring artists’ work, building trails and helping students learn conservation. Other organizations help purchase land in peril to preserve it for future generations. Here are the Nonprofits for the Environment that benefit the National Parks.
9 Nonprofits for Environment and National Parks
National Park Service
If you want to spend your summer in a park, the National Park Service welcomes volunteers. It’s an ideal way to donate your time. Programs are available throughout the NPS system and range from one-day events to year-round programs.
Become a National Park VIP, or Volunteers in the Park. Volunteer positions range from campground hosts to visitor center volunteers. Volunteers with 250 hours per year get an NPS annual park pass. Some opportunities include complimentary campsites.
Volunteer
National Park Foundation
This is the official nonprofit of the U.S. National Park Service. It has a charter from the U.S. Congress.
Its mission statement is to “further the conservation of natural, scenic, historic, scientific, educational, inspirational, or recreational resources for future generations of Americans”.
Lady Bird Johnson founded the National Park Foundation in 1968.
National Park Foundation
National Parks Conservation Association
It’s the only independent, nonpartisan member organization that’s devoted to the advocacy of the National Park System. Its mission statement is “to protect and enhance America’s National Park System for present and future generations”.
Founded in 1919 by Stephen Mather and Robert Sterling Yard.
National Parks Conservation Association
National Park Trust
It is a land acquisition and environmental education nonprofit that acquires the missing pieces inside or adjacent to national parks. It also brings kids from underserved communities to the parks. Its mission statement is to “preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow”.
It was founded in 1983. I am a volunteer Ambassador for the National Park Trust.
National Park Trust
Student Conservation Association
It’s a nonprofit organization dedicated “to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment. Founded in 1957 by Elizabeth Cushman Titus Putman.
My son has volunteered for the SCA summer program.
Student Conservation Association
National Parks Art Foundation
It is a nonprofit organization “dedicated to bringing artistic experiences to National Park Service sites”. It offers Artist-in-Residence programs across the NPS. like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park.
I was named a finalist for the 2021 NPAF Dry Tortugas Artist in Residence program.
National Parks Art Foundation
Individual Park’s Associations
Some National Parks have their own foundations that support programming and conservation in individual parks. For a list, head to the NPS site.
The Grand Canyon Conservancy is one such organization and benefits of the Grand Canyon National Park. My son attended a week-long Leave-No-Trace camping and hiking trip into the canyon with the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute.
The Sierra Club
Founded by naturalist John Muir in 1892, its mission statement is “to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives”.
It organizes outdoor activities on the West Coast. However, it is known for its political activism for environmental causes, like dam projects impacting national parks.
The Sierra Club
The Nature Conservancy
Founded in 1951, it is a global environmental organization. Its mission statement “is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.” To date, it has protected more than 119,000,000 acres of land.
The Nature Conservancy
Our Parks.Org
A newer nonprofit to the conservation world, our parks supports “scientific integrity, the importance of environmental conservation, and the value of our National Parks.” This nonprofit promotes responsible national park visitation and continued education for all.
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