People of Interest

Trailblazer Sara Graham: Turning a Love of Mount Rainier into a Story That Gives Back

Sara's connection with Mount Rainier began with a bike ride around it, though ask her about it and she's less likely to lead with the mileage than with what the ride opened up for her: Mount Rainier’s vibrant wildflowers. What started as a fun cycling challenge became something else entirely.

Haunt for Good: Nightfall Turns Fear Into Wonder While Supporting National Parks

On a quiet residential street in West Seattle, a 1926 home spends most of the year looking like any other. Then October arrives, and it becomes a portal. A man in a top hat greets visitors at the gate, introduces himself as Mr. Black, and invites them into a world...

The North Coast and Cascades Network: The Long View on a Changing Landscape

NCCN is one of 32 Inventory and Monitoring networks the National Park Service runs across the country. Each network groups together parks that share similar ecosystems, so scientists can study them as a region rather than one park at a time. Step inside the shoes of an NCCN intern.

Opening Doors: A Scientists in Parks Summer at Olympic National Park

Meet Ben Dubin and James Jackson, two Scientists in Parks interns who have spent their summer with the interpretation team at Olympic. Asked about their seasons and both describe an experience that reshapes their sense of the natural world, of public lands, and of what comes next for them.

Trailblazers: Development Manager Maddie Mikell

Meet Maddie Mikell, our newest staff member! Maddie joins WNPF as our Development Manager, bringing more than eight years of nonprofit fundraising experience and a passion for turning data into meaningful connections with the people who support the parks.

Sixty-Three Club: Trailblazer Bruce Tecklenburg and a Lifetime of Visiting (and Supporting) National Parks

This summer, Bruce and his wife, Dawn, joined a very small club: travelers who have visited every one of America's 63 Congressionally designated national parks. Read his story and see why he gives back.

Ten Years In: The Over the Top Society's Decade of Difference for Mount Rainier, North Cascades, & Olympic

In 2016, Washington's National Park Fund launched the Over the Top Society to recognize a special kind of generosity: unrestricted support that can be put to work wherever the parks need it most. Ten years later, that mission remains as important as ever.

Investing in Wonder: Planned Giving Leaves A Lasting Legacy for the Parks

In our new video, Mount Rainier National Park's superintendent captures the heart of what a legacy gift really means. It’s easy to think about investments and growing wealth. But an investment in a national park is an investment in wonder.

Trailblazer Leslie Robertson is Building a Ride and a Community That Gives Back

Every year, on the first weekend in August, hundreds of cyclists gather in downtown Port Angeles. From there, they ride from sea level all the way to Hurricane Ridge. Meet the Trailblazer behind an incredible ride that gives back to Olympic National Park.