Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) joined Committee Chair Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (D-Ohio) and Angus King (I-Maine) and more than 30other members in introducing the National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022.

"You shouldn't visit a national park and be waylaid by leaking faucets, faded and damaged signage, and rundown hiking trails. All of our park infrastructure should enhance, not detract from, the incredible natural beauty of America. Millions of families from around the world visit our national parks every year, and this legislation will ensure these national treasures are kept in pristine condition for everyone to enjoy. We've already seen the National Park Foundation put funds into practical action, like modernizing Yellowstone's iconic North Entrance to reduce wait times and fixing crumbling hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. Our bipartisan, bicameral legislation will further allow them to work with partners on the ground to improve each visitor's national park experience. I'm proud to join my colleagues in this effort and look forward to seeing it pass the House and Senate quickly." - House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)

"The National Park Foundation is an essential partner that has ensured the National Park Service can meet its mission to protect our public lands and waters for present and future generations. From Saguaros in Tucson and Bison in the Badlands, to the Latino heritage fund and sustainability efforts across our parks, it’s critical that we reauthorize the Foundation and administer the funding it needs to continue its important work. I am proud to partner with my colleagues across the aisle to support the National Park Foundation, improve our park service and protect our public lands." - House Committee on Natural Resources Chair Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.)

"The National Park Foundation is an incredibly important partner to our national parks, bringing together federal and private funding to help preserve these natural and cultural treasures for our future generations to enjoy. Increasing funding for the National Park Foundation, as this legislation would do, will help us strengthen relationships with private partners and support efforts to restore our national parks." - U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (D-Ohio)

"America’s National Parks are among the world’s greatest treasures, providing memorable experiences to millions from around the globe. For more than 50 years, the Congressionally-chartered National Park Foundation (NPF) has played a vital role in protecting these lands for current and future Americans. From expanding camping access at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument to restoring wetlands in Smoky Mountains National Park, the NPF has successfully worked to preserve and expand access to America’s parks. Our bipartisan funding expansion and reauthorization for the NPF will strengthen this essential federal conservation partner, enabling them to continue supporting our national parks and the communities across the country that rely on them." - U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine)

"We proudly support the National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022 and commend Sens. Portman and King, and Reps. Westerman and Grijalva for introducing this vital legislation. Since receiving federal funds for the first time in 2018, the National Park Foundation has leveraged the federal funding through the power of private philanthropy to match and more than double this critically important federal investment, adding to the tens of millions of private, philanthropic dollars the National Park Foundation and a growing community of park partners invest in America’s national parks each year." - Will Shafroth, president and CEO, National Park Foundation

Background

The National Park Foundation Act of 2022 will reduce deferred maintenance at America's national parks, advance public-private partnerships and address pressing issues like park overcrowding by incentivizing innovative private-sector solutions. The bill accomplishes this by reauthorizing the National Park Foundation’s (NPF)appropriations through 2030 and increasing the authorization level from $5 million to $15 million, which NPF will use to match private money to fund vital park projects.

As the official charitable partner of the National Park Service, NPF raises more than $100 million annually in private funds to support America’s national parks. Originally created by Congress in the 1960’s, NPF is the only national non-partisan, non-profit organization with a mission tied to directly supporting the success of the National Park Service through private funding and strategic partnerships.