By Laurie Ward, CEO of Washington’s National Park Fund
In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Washington State boasts three majestic national parks: Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic. These natural wonders are not only treasures for locals but also draw visitors from all corners of the world. Behind the scenes, the James M. Lea Foundation has been instrumental in preserving and enhancing the beauty of these parks through its unwavering support of Washington’s National Park Fund.
Today, we express our heartfelt gratitude to this foundation and the good work that it does in memory of its namesake, celebrating its remarkable contributions and the impact it has made on these beloved wilderness areas.
The James M. Lea Foundation was established in honor of its namesake, a passionate, outdoors-loving inventor, and businessman who held a deep love for Washington’s wild places. From its inception, the foundation has been committed to the preservation and protection of the natural landscapes that define the wonders of the Pacific Northwest, supporting education, conservation, and engineering programs.
James M. Lea, the visionary behind the James M. Lea Foundation, was a true pioneer. Born in 1920, the Washington native – Jim, for those fortunate enough to call him a friend – graduated university with a degree in engineering and was employed by The Boeing Company for 30 years, though he is largely remembered for having invented the Therm-a-Rest air mattress. (Leave it to an engineer who loves the outdoors to come up with the world’s first self-inflating, lightweight mattress!) Jim also co-founded Cascade Designs, Inc. (CDI) – an outdoor equipment company based and beloved in Seattle.
Known for his deep connection to the outdoors, he spent countless hours climbing peaks and exploring trails, immersing himself in the beauty of the pristine landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Though Jim sadly passed away on December 20, 2016, his passion and advocacy inspired others to follow in his footsteps and his legacy lives on through the foundation that has been bearing his name. His vision and commitment to protecting these natural wonders have left an indelible mark, reminding us of the transformative power of one person’s dedication to the environment.
Over the years, the James M. Lea Foundation has granted nearly $800,000 to Washington’s National Park Fund, supporting a variety of critical park projects and programs. Of particular interest to the foundation is investing in youth and conservation-focused projects, and their support has played a vital role in funding important programs like Junior Rangers, the volunteer programs at Mount Rainier, middle school science field trips, and wildlife restoration efforts.
2023 marks the intersection of two noteworthy events – Washington’s National Park Fund’s 30th anniversary and the sunsetting of the James M. Lea Foundation. As the Foundation winds down its operation this year, Washington’s National Park Fund is looking toward the future, ramping up our efforts with an ambitious fundraising campaign aimed at raising $20 million to enrich and sustain these parks at a higher level than ever before. Our “Together for the Parks” campaign will address core, ongoing park programs as well as major new initiatives such as climate-friendly transportation improvements, building additional park housing for seasonal workers, trail and meadow restoration efforts, and strengthening relationships with the parks’ Indigenous neighbors.
A key component of the Together for the Parks campaign is its goal to increase its current nearly $2 million endowment by raising an additional $4 million for the three parks’ endowments to ensure that Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks remain our “forever” places. The James M. Lea Foundation shares this vision of long-term stewardship with us and this year stepped up to make its final – and most significant – gift to date to Washington’s National Park Fund: $300,000 dedicated to building the parks’ endowments. This transformational, pace-setting gift provides incredible momentum as Washington’s National Park Fund reaches out to other foundations and individual donors, seeking their partnership in protecting these wild places…forever.
“It is a partner, like the James M. Lea Foundation, that helps make the work we do possible,” shares Denise Wulfekuhle, Co-Chair for WNPF’s Campaign Steering Committee. “Over the last few years, it has been a privilege to engage with their Board of Directors. Their generosity has been tremendous, and they have stayed true to Mr. Lea’s mission of supporting youth and education programs. It was their goal to have the final contribution to WNPF make an impact. Their generous gift toward the endowments most certainly will do that. Our three parks certainly will be the ongoing benefactors, but the impact goes well beyond them. The young, future stewards, will also benefit for years to come. Hopefully, it will inspire others to follow Mr. Lea’s, and his Foundation’s, lead.”
The dedication of the James M. Lea Foundation ensures that future generations can explore and cherish the diverse wonders of three crown jewels of the Pacific Northwest: Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. Today, we express our deepest gratitude to the leadership of the James M. Lea Foundation for their invaluable contributions, reminding us of the power of philanthropy in safeguarding the places we hold dear.
Cover photo by Art Wolfe, WNPF Creative Partner