By Alex Day, Marketing and Communications Director

Washington’s three largest national parks welcome nearly five million visitors every year. From the iconic towering peak of Mount Rainier to the glaciers of the North Cascades and the lush Olympic temperate rain forests – these parks protect a diverse collection of landscapes that draw visitors from near and far.

Washington’s National Park Fund is proud to be the nonprofit philanthropic partner to our state’s three largest national parks, raising funds to enable dozens of park projects and programs each year.

We know that many of our supporters have questions about how the parks will be impacted by recent federal actions and executive orders. While there are still lots of unknowns, we’re tracking the situation closely and are working with our park partners to determine how we can best support them.

“While it feels like a lot might be in flux for the parks, one thing we do know is Washington’s National Park Fund will always stand behind them,” says Steve Dubiel, CEO of Washington’s National Park Fund. “Our mission of supporting these cherished public lands isn’t changing – and never will.”

How You Can Help

We are committed to being a good partner to Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks, and are in talks with the parks’ leadership to determine the best path forward to provide the support they need. Here are three things you can do right now to help:

1. Donate. If you’re able to give, consider donating. Thanks to generous donors, Washington’s National Park Fund is well-positioned to help Washington’s national parks as they face a changing landscape and is committed to providing financial support where our park partners need it most.
   
   • As a fundraising-focused nonprofit, we can respond in real-time to changing needs in the parks. We have established a Washington National Park Resilience Fund to collect donations that will be put to work according to the parks’ most critical needs. Already, Resilience Fund donations have made amazing things happen – a few examples include expanding volunteer capacity in Mount Rainier by funding new radios, enabling the purchase of a new mule to support trail work in the North Cascades, and expanding road signage to help inform visitors traveling to Mount Rainier. These contributions to Washington’s national parks would not have been possible without donor support. Donate to the Resilience Fund today at wnpf.org/resilience-fund.
     
   • Or consider contributing to the Together for the Parks fundraising campaign, which seeks to invest $20 million in projects and programs plus endowments to provide ongoing and reliable funding the parks can count on. View our “Ways to Give” page to find the way to give back that’s right for you.
     
2. Thank park staff. The dedicated staff at our beloved national parks are what make it possible for us to experience their wonders. They collect entrance fees, clean bathrooms, conduct research, conserve the land and the wildlife that call it home, perform search and rescue, provide information, pay the bills, fight fires and so much more – all in service of the National Park Service’s mission of preserving the parks for this and future generations. Consider expressing your gratitude to these dedicated public servants and sharing what they mean to you.
   
   • Send a handwritten note or drawing to the parks. (If you have kiddos at home, we’re told they especially like getting mail that includes hand-drawn images!) Notes can be mailed to WNPF at PO Box 2128, Seattle WA 98111, and we will share them with the parks.
     
   • No postage? Submit your note through our form at wnpf.org/send-a-note, and we will pass your message along to the parks.
     
3. Recreate with care. Being good stewards of our public lands is more important than ever. Get a refresher on Leave No Trace principles, and leave the parks better than you found them. Keep in mind there may be fewer rangers available to help when you visit, so be sure to come prepared and bring the Ten Essentials.

We’re grateful to all who stand with Washington’s national parks.

Washington’s National Park Fund is the official philanthropic partner of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. With your help, we raise funds to preserve and protect Washington’s national parks, funding volunteer programs, youth and family experiences, science and research, and projects that will keep these parks strong and vital now and forever.

Cover photo: Mount Rainier National Park’s Skyline Trail in fall 2023 (NPS/L.Shenk Photo)