Historic $100 Million Grant Transforming National Parks Landscape
PORTLAND, Maine — The National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, has received its largest grant to date with a remarkable $100 million donation from Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. This unprecedented gift is designated to rejuvenate over 400 national park sites across the United States.
Funding Details and Upcoming Initiatives
This historic grant, proclaimed by the foundation as the most significant financial infusion in the history of national parks, aims to address urgent needs within the park system. Will Shafroth, the president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, expressed hopes of revealing the first round of projects financed by this considerable donation later this year.
Environmental Restoration and Youth Engagement
While the specifics of fund allocation are still under consideration, major focal points will include crucial environmental restoration projects, such as the rejuvenation of coral reefs at Biscayne National Park in Florida. Another significant aspect will target the restoration of native trout species in Western national parks. Shafroth emphasized that part of the funds will also create greater access for young people to experience national parks, asserting, “This grant will allow us to supercharge our efforts to ensure our national parks are for everyone, for generations to come.”
A Comprehensive Vision for National Parks
The National Park System contains a diverse range of sites, from iconic national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite to treasured memorials such as the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Lesser-known but equally significant areas, like Buck Island Reef National Monument in the U.S. Virgin Islands, will also benefit from this expansive initiative.
Backed by Lilly Endowment
The $100 million gift comes as part of the National Park Foundation’s ambitious “Campaign for National Parks,” a $1 billion funding initiative aimed at enhancing support for national parks and their resources. This campaign reflects Lilly Endowment’s commitment to fostering the vibrancy and programming of the nation’s beloved parks, monuments, and historic sites, as noted by N. Clay Robbins, chair and CEO of Lilly Endowment.
Robbins expressed confidence that the National Park Foundation’s campaign will strengthen and promote the sustainable future of America’s treasured natural and cultural assets.
