By Alex Day, Marketing & Communications Director

In a year defined by uncertainty, one thing has remained constant: the strength of this community.

Thanks to the generosity of WNPF supporters, 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the most impactful years yet for Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. Following a record-setting year in which more than $2.28 million in grants were awarded, donor support continues to play a critical role in ensuring these parks remain protected, accessible, and resilient.

Meeting the Moment with Resilience

Last year, national parks across the country faced budget uncertainties and staffing reductions that placed additional strain on park teams.

In response, WNPF launched a Resilience Fund to provide flexible support for emerging and urgent needs. This kind of funding allows parks to act quickly when conditions change, rather than waiting for traditional funding cycles.

The response from donors was immediate.

More than 230 contributions totaling nearly $215,000 have already been made to the Resilience Fund, helping ensure the parks can continue critical work even in a challenging environment.

“When our parks needed it most, this community showed up, proving that collective generosity can meet urgent challenges in real time,” shares Steve Dubiel, WNPF’s CEO.

Supporting Immediate Needs Across the Parks

The impact of the Resilience Fund is already being felt across all three parks.

• At Mount Rainier National Park, funding has supported the installation of temporary digital highway signage to help guide visitors and improve safety. Donor support also helped bring composer Stephen Lias to Washington for a performance of Summit, Myths & Music, featuring “It Stands Alone,” a multimedia tribute honoring the park’s 125th anniversary. Additionally, a generous supporter stepped up with a large gift that allowed the park to purchase a dozen new radios for volunteer Meadow Rovers, expanding the capacity of a program whose volunteers interact with more than 200,000 park visitors – and at a time when the park is facing staffing challenges.

• In North Cascades National Park, resilience funding is helping sustain the park’s stock program in the face of uncertainty. These animals are essential for transporting supplies and maintaining remote trails where vehicles cannot go. As highlighted in a recent WNPF story, they are not just workers, but a core part of the park’s operational backbone and community.

• At Olympic National Park, funds have been used to purchase GPS device subscriptions for staff and volunteers working in remote backcountry terrain. These tools improve navigation and communication, helping keep teams safe in some of the park’s most rugged areas.

A Strong Foundation for the Future

While the Resilience Fund addresses immediate needs, it also reflects a broader reality. National parks today require flexible, responsive funding to navigate uncertainty and continue delivering on their mission.

The parks are facing a combination of pressures, including increased visitation, reduced staffing, and impacts to aging infrastructure from severe weather. Donor support is what allows the parks to remain steady and responsive in the face of these changes.

Looking Ahead

This year’s record $2.28 million in grants supporting more than 40 projects across the parks is more than a milestone. It is a reflection of what this community makes possible, from helping the parks respond to real-time needs to investing in multi-year, transformative initiatives and signature projects. You can find the list of funded projects your support has fueled this year at wnpf.org/funded-projects.

As we move through 2026, WNPF remains focused on funding high-impact projects that strengthen long-term resilience, from safeguarding ecosystems to supporting staff and volunteers on the ground. And we can’t do it without you.

Together, we are ensuring that Washington’s national parks continue to endure and inspire for generations to come.

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Washington’s National Park Fund is the official philanthropic partner of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. Your gifts directly support vital projects in trail maintenance, science and research, youth and family programs, and more. You can join the movement by giving back at wnpf.org/donate.

Cover photo: a mule in North Cascades National Park, captured by Mitch Pittman. All other photos courtesy of the National Park Service.