FEATURED PARK: Mojave National Preserve, California
Mojave National Preserve is one of the largest national parks in the continental United States, spanning a vast 1.6 million acres. Though some might think of deserts as barren landscapes, Mojave boasts diverse ecological regions supporting a wide array of plants and animals; visitors can see sculpted sand dunes, fields of cacti, Joshua trees, cones of volcanic ash, buttes, springs, and a variety of uniquely adapted wildlife. There's also sunshine--lots of it. Clear skies and blazing heat make the region a natural choice for solar development. While responsible solar power is good for America's future, poorly located developments can threaten the park and its wildlife.
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Don't Shut Down America's Best Idea
Laid-off park rangers. Unmaintained roads and trails. Closed national parks. These are some of the consequences if Congress fails to protect the Park Service from dangerous cuts in January under the so-called sequester. Congress must find a solution that protects America's best idea. Share our infographic with facts on how every dollar invested in national parks benefits the country—then ask your representatives to stop the sequester!
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A Call to Action: National Parks for the Next Century
The Park Service officially turned 96 on August 25 and marked the occasion by releasing its revised Call to Action—a guiding document that commits the agency to improved stewardship and public engagement around our national parks in preparation for its centennial in 2016. Read NPCA's thoughts on what the Call to Action could mean for the future of America's best places.
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NPCA's App: Now with More Information for More Phones
NPCA's Field Guide App has expanded and is now offering information on the flora and fauna in 100 national park units—twice the park resources from our last edition. Our improved app is still available for the iPhone and is now expanded to include Android phones. Coming soon: The app will be enhanced for better usability on iPad. All of the above for the same low price of free!
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When a Rock Captures the Heart
To journalist Mark Woods, parks are more than places rich with nature and history; they preserve irreplaceable moments in his family's lives. "This is what Yellowstone means," he reflects. "It isn't just the world's first national park. It's a place full of millions of individual memories, some involving a single stone." Read his moving tribute to his mother and the parks they both loved.
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A New Trail for a Grand Old Flag
Americans watched with pride as our flag waved at the Olympics last month. Now, on the bicentennial of the War of 1812, a new 560-mile-long land and water trail celebrates the story of bombardment and independence behind the stars and stripes.
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Reflections from a Guest in the Wilderness
Denali's six million acres were preserved as a wildlife sanctuary nearly one hundred years ago, thanks in large part to one man who liked to study sheep. Now, this wild northern territory continues to inspire the imagination of millions who venture there year after year. Learn more about this often misunderstood place, and get a few resources to plan your own trip.
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PARKSCAPES TRAVEL
Parks of the World
Venture to the Galápagos Islands with NPCA, where 97 percent of the land is protected by a national park. Enjoy the comfort of the National Geographic Islander and naturalist expertise of Lindblad Expeditions. Optional extension to Machu Picchu.
» Get Trip Details
Photo Courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions, blue-footed booby on Espanola Island © Ralph Lee Hopkins.
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Support NPCA with an Affinity Credit Card
NPCA is proud to exclusively partner with Capital One® to offer our members and supporters NPCA Visa affinity credit cards. Each new NPCA account opened and purchase made with these cards will generate funds for NPCA from Capital One. Credit approval required. Terms and conditions apply. To learn more, visit www.npca.org/card.
» Learn More
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SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
The fall issue of National Parks magazine comes out in just a few weeks. Get a taste of what it was like for two photographers to explore the beaches of Florida in our sneak preview of the cover story. Read more online and subscribe for future issues.
» Subscribe Now
Photo © Meggan and Jeff Haller/Keyhole Photo
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Make Plans for Public Lands
September 29 is National Public Lands Day—an annual day of service encouraging all Americans to get outside and volunteer to help our parks and public places. The Department of the Interior also waives entrance fees throughout the park system all day, so you can make a day of it and enjoy your favorite parks and historical sites for free.
» Learn More
Photo © RiverNorthPhotography/iStockphoto
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"It's clear that inadequate federal funding is the number one threat to the future of the national parks
and the national park idea. We're at a crossroads of historic importance here."
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