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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Dan Puskar, executive director of the Public Lands Alliance, issued this statement following the U.S. House of Representatives' passage of the National Park Service Centennial Act (H.R 4680):

"Passage of the National Park Service Centennial Act brings America's national parks one step closer to harnessing the power of its nonprofit partners to enhance their preservation and stewardship. Beloved by all Americans, our parks were founded and have been sustained through support from private citizens. This bill creates new, long lasting opportunities for grassroots, charitable organizations to collaborate with the National Park Service on educational programs and increase resources for volunteerism.

"Most importantly, the act establishes a Centennial Challenge Fund, building on almost a decade of successfully leveraging private dollars with federal funds to improve visitor infrastructure, engage youth and veterans, rehabilitate historical assets and offer exceptional learning opportunities. A permanent Centennial Challenge Fund enables the National Park Service and its nonprofit partners to plan effectively to meet the most pressing visitor experience needs facing our parks in their second century.

"The Public Lands Alliance applauds Chairman Rob Bishop of Utah and Ranking Member Raul Grijalva of Arizona for their leadership in crafting bipartisan legislation to enhance support for the National Park Service through partnerships. We strongly encourage the U.S. Senate to pass meaningful National Park Service Centennial legislation before the 114th Congress adjourns."