From the majestic mountains of the West to the misty forests and bayous of the Southeast, to Maine’s rocky coast, there are many places in America’s landscape that inspire wonder and awe. Our national parks protect that pristine beauty, and provide opportunities for us to share it with the next generation.

Though most of us see our national parks as invaluable, many of them are critically under-funded. Others face immediate threats from developers seeking to drill, mine, log or set up industrial complexes in and around these pristine areas.

With annual shortfalls of more than $800 million, some parks are shortening visiting hours, cutting back on park rangers, closing visitor centers, and canceling programs due to a lack of park staff.

“Our national parks should be a resource for everyone,” said Environment Maine Policy Analyst John Rumpler. “But with park closings, pressure from developers, fewer and fewer people are getting a chance to enjoy these places—unless we speak up, the next generation might not have them at all.”

To restore our national parks, we are working at the national level and in statehouses to block destructive activities on and within their borders and to win the full funding that our parks deserve.

Funding bill in Congress
Thanks to an outpouring of public support, in June the U.S. House of Representatives passed the largest funding increase ever provided for America’s national parks. The fiscal year 2008 House Interior Appropriations bill provides $2.5 billion for the National Park Service, an increase of $223 million from fiscal year 2007.

As the bill moves through the legislative process, we’re working with the National Parks Conservation Association to encourage the Senate to also support this critical funding.

Two victories for parks
With its majestic snow-topped mountains, grizzly bears and bald eagles, Rocky Mountain National Park is a treasured piece of America’s heritage. With gas exploration and vacation home sales booming in Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park might not stay that way forever.

That’s why we worked to urge Congress to grant permanent wilderness protection to the park. The Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness Act was introduced this spring, and we’re working with our allies in several states to move the bill through Congress this year.

In June, advocates with Environment Florida helped defeat a proposal to build a pulverized coal plant in the heart of the Everglades ecosystem.

“This decision will reassure taxpayers that the billions we are investing to restore the Everglades will not be undermined by allowing a huge new source of pollution in this treasured wilderness,” said Environment Florida’s Mark Ferrulo.

Our national parks: What’s at stake

Acadia—This park boasts miles of rocky coastline, granite-topped mountains and the largest fjord on the eastern seaboard, all within driving distance of major East coast cities. The Downeast views and varied recreational activities are threatened by air pollution from power plants, cars and trucks.

Glacier—This park offers 700 miles of hiking trails, complete with soaring mountains, pristine lakes, alpine meadows and magnificent forests. It is threatened by nearby mining, highway expansion, global warming and oil and gas drilling.

Great Smoky Mountains—Majestic ridges provide the central feature of America’s most visited National Park. Sadly, air pollution from power plants is creating a different “smoky” effect for this beloved park.

Shenandoah—This gateway to the nation’s capital and home to 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail is also suffering from coal-burning power plants.

Yellowstone—With mountains, mesas, sagebrush and cottonwood trees, Wyoming’s Upper Green River Valley features the longest wildlife migration corridor in the lower 48 states. Unfortunately, this area is now threatened by a proposal to double the number of gas wells in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, home to elk and pronghorn antelope.