Secretary Kempthorne announces first round
of National Park Centennial projects
$50 million public-private partnership will improve national parks nationwide this year

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne unveiled the 110 national park improvement projects and programs that will get underway this spring, funded by an equal combination of public and private funds, under President Bush’s National Park Centennial Initiative. The Initiative, announced in 2006, proposed an innovative federal Centennial Challenge matching fund that would be used to match philanthropic contributions for the benefit of our national parks between now and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.

“I am pleased to announce the first round of National Park Centennial Projects that will be undertaken with the first round of funding appropriated by Congress in the 2008 budget,” Kempthorne said at the event supported by the National Park Foundation. “Ground will be broken and work underway very soon. This first round of projects will improve parks nationwide – large and small, urban and rural, natural and historical. more more   Listen to Podcast.   en Español

• Centennial Initiative Website
• Approved Projects and Programs PDF Format
• See Additional Photos See Additional Photos

Proposed FY2009 Budget Continues Momentum on
National Park Centennial Initiative

The FY2009 budget continues momentum on the President's historic call last year for new public and private investment to strengthen and expand national park operations, staffing, services and facilities in preparation for the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016. This budget continues momentum on the President’s historic call last year for new public and private investment to strengthen and expand national park operations, staffing, services and facilities in preparation for the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016. The FY 2009 budget calls for a landmark request of $2.1 billion for park operations, an increase of $161 million over the FY 2008 enacted amount. Combined with the 2008 enacted budget, this totals a two-year increase of $282 million, or 15 percent, for park operations.

The President also proposed up to $100 million a year in mandatory federal funding over the next decade under the Centennial Challenge to provide matching funds for donations made by Americans for projects to improve our parks and provide better visitor experiences. Over 200 projects with a total investment of $370 million have already been identified as eligible for funding through the Centennial Challenge. When Congress, which supports the initiative, approves Centennial Challenge Fund legislation, these investments will benefit parks across the country.  more more  

Eligible Proposals 2008 First National Park Centennial Projects ‘Ready to Go;’
Adding Sparkle to America’s ‘Crown Jewels’

(Yosemite National Park, Calif.) – Build park trails, save sea turtles, "go green" energy, guide students to become stewards and recruit citizens to discover landscapes, history, culture and science - those are just a few of the more than 200 centennial proposals Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne unveiled to be undertaken in national parks as part of the National Park Centennial Initiative. more more   en Español

• National Park Service Centennial Initiative Website
• Eligible Centennial Proposals, 2008 PDF Format
• Summary of Centennial Strategies PDF Format
• Example Proposals PDF Format
• Park and Program Centennial Strategies

Kempthorne Presents to the President a Vision
for the Future of Our National Parks

images/centennialinitiative3.jpg "Inspired by the passions of thousands of citizens and mindful that boldness matches our history, today I bring you our vision to ensure that the American love affair with national parks endures," wrote Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne in a report delivered to President George Bush.

Kempthorne, and National Park Service Director Mary Bomar, unveiled report details during a rooftop press conference at the Interior Department. In the report, "The Future of America's National Parks," Kempthorne wrote, "Parks teach and inspire. Parks are America the beautiful.the cultural.the historical." He explained the 100th anniversary should be a time to celebrate accomplishments achieved through goals with boldness and vision. National parks will:

- lead America in preserving and restoring treasured resources;
- demonstrate environmental leadership;
- offer superior recreational experiences;
- foster exceptional learning opportunities that connect people to parks;
- and, be managed with excellence.

Performance goals will guide the achievement of these goals.
By 2016, the National Park Service plans to: - improve priority facilities to acceptable condition,
- restore native habitats by controlling invasive species and reintroducing key plant and animal species,
- improve natural resources in parks as measured by scientific vital signs monitoring,
- reduce environmental impacts of park operations,
- double the amount of volunteer hours,
- enroll two million new Junior Rangers,
- encourage greater partnership and philanthropy,
- and, reshape the workforce to meet the needs of America.

more more   en Español

• Fact Sheet: The Future of America's National Parks   en Español  PDF

Report
• Report to the President PDF

• Statement by the White House Press Secretary on the President's National Parks Centennial Initiative

• Video Presentation: The Future of America's National Parks     Video

• Additional Information
  National Park Service's
  Centennial Initiative Web Page

Press Releases and Fact Sheets

Additional Information on National Park Centennial Initiative

• 2009 Interior Budget in Brief
• NPS National Park Centennial Initiative Webpage
• President's Remarks on National Park Centennial Initiative (02/07/07)

Secretary Kempthorne Discusses the National Park Centennial Initiative on Ask the White House

Interior Secretary Kempthorne discussed the President's new National Park Centennial Initiative on “Ask the White House” on Monday, February 12, 2007. "Ask the White House" is an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Administration officials and friends of the White House. The Centennial Initiative launched by the President on August 25, 2006 will enhance our National Parks during the decade leading up to the 100th Anniversary in 2016.

• Read Transcript of Live Chat Session

Secretary Kempthorne Launches
the National Park Centennial Initiative at NPS 90th Anniversary Celebration at Yellowstone
(August 25, 2006)

• News Release:
• Secretary Kempthorne’s Remarks
• President's memo sending “greetings to those celebrating the 90th anniversary of the National Park Service”   PDF Format
• Memorandum for the Secretary of the Interior from the President  PDF Format
• Memorandum from Secretary Kempthorne to the Director of the National Park Service  PDF Format
• Photos from the 90th Anniversary Celebration and Launch of the Centennial Challenge Photos