National Park Trust and National Park Service Announce 2024 Challenge Cost Share Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 8, 2024
$361,000 awarded to 17 projects nationwide that promote stewardship, access to outdoor recreation, and connect people to the outdoors
Washington, D.C. (August 8, 2024) – National Park Trust, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), announced today that $361,000 was awarded to fund 17 enriching education and outdoor recreation initiatives through the 2024 NPS Challenge Cost Share Program. Each project connects a local community to a nearby national park, national trail, or wild and scenic river, fostering a deeper connection with our natural and cultural heritage. This year’s group of awardees will engage more than 6,500 participants in active, healthy outdoor recreation, conservation, and education initiatives.
“National Park Trust is thrilled to once again partner with the National Park Service and community partners across the country to connect people of all backgrounds and abilities to national parks while engaging the newest generation of outdoor enthusiasts and stewards. The Challenge Cost Share program is a terrific example of an initiative that leverages public and private funds to invest in communities to create sustainable partnerships that benefit parks and people.”
Grace Lee, executive director of National Park Trust
“Partnering with the National Park Trust allows the National Park Service to reach more people and communities through the Challenge Cost Share Program. We appreciate the work of local partner organizations across the nation, who are using their resources and skills to support conservation, recreation, and education projects that are meaningful and impactful to their communities.”
Lauren S. Imgrund, NPS associate director for Partnerships and Civic Engagement
A sample of the 2024 projects includes:
- Restoring 10 acres of forest to promote climate and social resilience in the DC region in Rock Creek Park (Washington, DC);
- Providing multi-day and overnight environmental education outing opportunities at Golden Gate National Recreation Area for more than 350 underserved San Francisco students (CA);
- Continuing wetland restoration efforts to enhance biodiversity and habitat for wildlife in the lakes of Voyageurs National Park (MN);
- Leading educational expeditions in North County Scenic Trail (MI) for Detroit youth to promote diversity and engagement in outdoor activities.
For the full list of projects, CLICK HERE.
Partnerships are what make these projects possible. The NPS and National Park Trust are providing $361,000 in direct financial support, bolstered by $853,978.00 in pledged direct and in-kind contributions from the community and non-profit organizations that partner with local NPS sites. Steering the program, the National Park Trust not only administers the initiative but also harnesses supplementary financial resources to amplify its influence and outreach.
ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST
National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, benefiting 55 national park sites across the country. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison, College Ambassador and Military Family Programs, and National Kids to Parks Day, serve tens of thousands of children annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
For National Park Trust,Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org
For National Park Service, newsmedia@nps.gov
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