TACOMA — Washington’s National Park Fund has set a goal of raising almost $350,000 in 2010 to support programs and research at Olympic National Park and at the state’s two other national parks.
If the goal is reached, the money would go to efforts such as explaining the impacts from the future removal of the Elwha River dams, an analysis of the changes in the Nisqually Glacier at Mount Rainier National Park and to create a Junior Stream Stewards program at North Cascade National Park.
“These grants make it possible for the parks to achieve their goals of protecting the natural resources, encouraging youth and families to experience our parks, enhancing the overall visitor experience and leaving a legacy for future generations,” Jon Evans, president of the fund’s board of directors, said in a news release about the grant program.
Charitable organization
Washington’s National Park Fund, based in the Tacoma suburb of University Place, is a charitable fundraising organization (wnpf.org) and “official philanthropic partner” of the National Park Service that raises money to support restoration, wildlife monitoring, public education and other programs at Olympic, Rainier and North Cascade national parks.
Funds are raised from corporations, foundations and contributions from individuals, which are IRS-tax- deductible, plus special events and proceeds from the sale of the state’s national park license plate.
This year the fund awarded more than $200,000 in grants to the three parks.
Olympic National Park received more than $72,600 for an elk study, the fisher restoration project and population assessments of Olympic marmots.
Mount Rainier received more than $72,600 for two programs to connect kids and families with the park, meadow restoration at Paradise and for the volunteer program.
North Cascades National Park received $55,000 for several studies and a volunteer shelter at Marblemount.
“Partnering with Washington’s National Park Fund is a great example of how interested and motivated people can be a part of what is happening at North Cascades, Olympic and Mount Rainier,” said Karen Gustin, superintendent of Olympic National Park, in the news release.
“The fund enables all of us to leverage the resources that different people and organizations bring to the table to protect resources and serve visitors.”
Here are the goals for the coming year:
Olympic
• Olympic marmot wayside exhibit, $9,500.
• Lake Crescent freshwater mussels study, $20,495.
• Climate Friendly Parks education programs, $26,500.
• Elwha restoration project community outreach, $31,500.
• Adopt-a-River study of fish populations, $50,000.
Total: $137,995
Mount Rainier
• Connecting Students to Parks, $10,000.
• Paradise meadow restoration, $13,000.
• Camping Adventure with My Parents, $20,000.
• Volunteers in Parks internships, $25,000.
• Nisqually Glacier status and change analysis, $55,000.
Total: $123,000
North Cascades
• Wilderness Information Center entryway remodel, $7,550.
• Teacher-Ranger-Teacher internship, $10,000.
• Junior Stream Stewards education program, $12,500.
• Impacts of climate change on pika populations, $25,000.
• Citizen Science butterfly monitoring program, $30,000.
Total: $85,050