Donors Lead, Wait for Congress to Follow, on National Parks

In another example of donors plunging forward when they see a good idea, $300 million has already been raised to fund a long list of National Park priority improvements revealed August 23, 2007. While President Bush and Congress debate the merits of adding $1 billion in additional funding to the national parks' budget, the Centennial Challenge, which aims to raise another $1 billion to match the government's investment, has gained steam and captured the support of individual donors, corporations and visitors. More on the Challenge and the proposals to be funded are available at the National Park Service website.

Let's hope that this strong catalyzing support from individual donors sends a clear message to Washington of the importance of conserving these natural resources. The success of the Challenge can only be unleashed when the Senate approves a spending plan for the National Park Service, formally accepting the list of improvements that has been proposed.

Nancy DeFauw