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National parks support broader conservation, serving as anchors of larger ecosystems, pathways linking wildlife habitat and catalysts for resource protection. camera icon © Jordan Siemens/Tandem Stills & Motion Sign up to get action alerts camera icon © Jordan Siemens/Tandem Stills & Motion

Parks thrive when the lands around them are healthy. The air, water and wildlife that move in and out of parks must be safe and protected for parks to flourish.

The true value of a place isn’t measured in dollars or acres, but in the lives it has touched. And while national parks account for just over 3% of protected lands, they are hubs for much larger landscapes and ecosystems.

Experts agree that we must fully protect 30% of our lands and waters to guard against the worst impacts of climate change. Parks are natural anchors for this plan. By building outward from places people know, love and value, we can enhance national parks while helping to protect every place on Earth from the impacts of climate change.

Updates on Landscapes

  • Blog Post

    7 Places Worth Saving

    Apr 2021 | By Matthew Kirby, Jennifer Errick

    By protecting the areas surrounding national parks, the U.S. can build resilient landscapes that prevent the worst effects of climate change and species loss.

  • Blog Post

    The Fight to Save 30%

    Apr 2020 | By Ani Kame’enui

    Congress has a new opportunity to meaningfully address the climate crisis by...

  • Blog Post

    10 Facts You May Not Know About the Western Arctic Caribou Herd

    Dec 2025

    This majestic herd in Alaska travels a distance equivalent to New York City to Seattle each year. But can it continue in the face of human-caused threats? 

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  • Read more about Secretary Burgum must protect our monuments. Active Action Secretary Burgum must protect our monuments. We are on the verge of what could be the largest rollback of protections for national parks and monuments in U.S. history.
  • Read more about Stop Unauthorized Mining in Mojave National Preserve Advocacy in Action Stop Unauthorized Mining in Mojave National Preserve National parks are no place for foreign-owned mining operations
  • Read more about New National Monument Protects the Greater Joshua Tree Landscape Victory New National Monument Protects the Greater Joshua Tree Landscape In the face of threats of climate change and habitat loss, a new national monument will protect critical habitat, promote equitable access to nature, and preserve the desert's rich cultural history.
  • Read more about National Parks in the Delaware River Watershed NPCA AT WORK National Parks in the Delaware River Watershed The Delaware River watershed is known for the amazing recreational opportunities at its national parks and public lands, from paddling and hiking throughout the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and its National Wild and Scenic Rivers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, or learning about our nation’s history at First State National Historical Park in Delaware.
  • I support park because I support park because

    National parks are a great escape for the human mind and spirit. Not only does it help the environment (obviously through air, life cycle, animals) but it helps society. Children who grow up going to different parks are more caring and open minded than those who don't. Everyone should experience multiple parks in their lifetime. — Alissa

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  • Read more about Support the Proposed Chesapeake National Recreation Area NPCA at Work Support the Proposed Chesapeake National Recreation Area The Chesapeake Bay is worth inclusion in the National Park System to enhance public access and protection.
  • Read more about Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm Are National Treasures Worthy of Protection NPCA at Work Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm Are National Treasures Worthy of Protection Protecting, interpreting and enhancing the history and environment at this urban oasis is critical. Unfortunately, development threats and underfunding have plagued this park site for decades.
  • Read more about Don't Divide Our Habitats, Ecosystems and Communities NPCA at Work Don't Divide Our Habitats, Ecosystems and Communities Oppose new walls and fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border.
  • Read more about Keep Crater Lake Wild NPCA at Work Keep Crater Lake Wild A wilderness designation will preserve Crater Lake, its wildlife and its outdoor recreation opportunities forever. It's time to give this iconic park the protection it deserves.
  • Read more about Don’t Drain Our Desert Water NPCA at Work Don’t Drain Our Desert Water NPCA is standing with local communities and Tribes to fight a destructive groundwater mining project that would drain 16 billion gallons of water each year from beneath the California desert
  • Read more about Don’t Risk Wild Land and Fish for a Massive Mine Near Lake Clark NPCA at Work Don’t Risk Wild Land and Fish for a Massive Mine Near Lake Clark Plans for a massive open-pit mine threaten wild salmon and bears at two of Alaska's wildest national parks.
  • Read more about An Oil Refinery Has No Place Next to Theodore Roosevelt National Park NPCA at Work An Oil Refinery Has No Place Next to Theodore Roosevelt National Park Protect the iconic North Dakota badlands from an ill-conceived facility that would pollute the air
  • Read more about NPCA Rewind 2025 NPCA NPCA Rewind 2025 Dec 2025 As the year comes to a close, join us as we recap all we’ve accomplished together for our national parks — the obstacles we’ve faced, the celebrations we’ve shared and the meaningful difference your support has made.
  • Read more about The Longest Government Shutdown in US History Has Ended. What’s Next for National Parks? Blog Post The Longest Government Shutdown in US History Has Ended. What’s Next for National Parks? Nov 2025 | By John Garder We break down the impacts to parks and their staff during the 43-day shutdown and the outlook for the months ahead.
  • Read more about Indigenous Earthworks and Where to See Them Blog Post Indigenous Earthworks and Where to See Them Nov 2025 | By Linda Coutant These structures once dotted a large section of North America. Most have been lost over the past 150 years, but the National Park Service preserves and interprets some of those that remain.  
  • Read more about Proposed Assault on Endangered Species Act Would Push Park Wildlife Toward Extinction Press Release Proposed Assault on Endangered Species Act Would Push Park Wildlife Toward Extinction Nov 2025 “The proposed changes, coupled with the mass firing of dedicated staff at US Fish and Wildlife and the National Park Service, put the fate of species like Pacific salmon, the ghost orchid, and the red-cockaded woodpecker in a potentially dire position. Once a species is extinct, it’s gone. Is that the legacy we want to leave behind?”–Stephanie Adams, NPCA's Director of Wildlife
  • Read more about Secretary Burgum, Tell Us Why Blog Post Secretary Burgum, Tell Us Why Oct 2025 | By Theresa Pierno The National Park Service has lost more than 25% of its permanent staff. History has been literally erased from parks. And in the midst of a government shutdown, more mass firings are looming. These were all decisions made by leaders in Washington, and those decisions will have disastrous impacts for national parks. On behalf of our 1.9 million members and supporters and all who love our national parks, NPCA is demanding that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum explain why he is unraveling the very fabric of our national parks.
  • Read more about Erasing History, Silencing Science Blog Post Erasing History, Silencing Science Oct 2025 | By Kyle Groetzinger, Lam Ho, Linda Coutant ICYMI: Acting upon a March executive order, the Department of the Interior removed from national park sites in September undeniable historical and scientific truths it decided it didn’t like. 
  • Read more about 6 Ugly Oil and Gas Outcomes From the ‘Beautiful’ Bill Blog Post 6 Ugly Oil and Gas Outcomes From the ‘Beautiful’ Bill Sep 2025 | By Beau Kiklis We break down how the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ pushes reckless development that will threaten our national parks and monuments for years to come — and what we can do about it. 
  • Read more about Groups Denounce Bills to Nullify Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National and Ironwood Forest National Monuments Press Release Groups Denounce Bills to Nullify Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni National and Ironwood Forest National Monuments Sep 2025 "In Arizona and across the country, our national monuments hold our history, identity, and culture."—Sanober Mirza, NPCA's Arizona Program Manager 
  • Read more about BLM Moves to Roll Back Public Lands Rule, Threatening National Parks and Public Access Press Release BLM Moves to Roll Back Public Lands Rule, Threatening National Parks and Public Access Sep 2025 "Our public lands should serve everyone, not just oil, gas, and mining interests."—Beau Kiklis, NPCA's Associate Director of Energy and Landscape Conservation 
  • Read more about 6 Reasons to Keep the 'Roadless Rule' in Place Blog Post 6 Reasons to Keep the 'Roadless Rule' in Place Sep 2025 | By Beau Kiklis, Nik Moy NPCA supports continuation of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule to protect our nation’s forests. See how healthy, roadless national forests benefit national parks, larger ecosystems, and the people and wildlife who enjoy them.  
  • Read more about Park Service Programs You Benefit From, But May Not Know About Blog Post Park Service Programs You Benefit From, But May Not Know About Sep 2025 | By Linda Coutant The National Park Service contributes more to our country than you might realize — including conservation and history in your own backyard. 
  • Read more about A Victory for the Okefenokee Resource A Victory for the Okefenokee | By Chris Watson NPCA helped protect Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from the threat of a damaging mine.
  • Read more about Home Sweet Home? How NPCA is Helping Migrating Birds Return to the Appalachians Report Home Sweet Home? How NPCA is Helping Migrating Birds Return to the Appalachians | By Amy Tian As Steve Goodman ventures deeper into the towering forest, he keeps his ears open and binoculars close. With a recording device on hand, he is on a quest to find a dazzling blue bird—and no, it’s not just for fun.
  • Read more about Save the Dinosaurs Podcast Episode Save the Dinosaurs Feb 2025 Dinosaur National Monument preserves one of the richest collections of Jurassic remains on Earth. But could a push for energy development threaten this beloved park and its rare fossils?
  • Read more about A New Monument for an Old Hero? Podcast Episode A New Monument for an Old Hero? Dec 2024 A proposed Chuckwalla National Monument near Joshua Tree National Park would protect the threatened Mojave Desert tortoise and help many other species thrive, including people.
  • Read more about Sustaining Indiana Beaches Resource Sustaining Indiana Beaches The scenic beaches of Indiana Dunes are disappearing. In order to sustain this critical asset to Indiana’s economy and quality of life, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must conduct a federal damage mitigation feasibility study.
  • Read more about A Watershed Moment for the Chesapeake Resource A Watershed Moment for the Chesapeake The largest estuary in North America, the Chesapeake Bay watershed encompasses 64,000 square miles including six states and the District of Columbia—it’s a thriving ecosystem that has sustained Native peoples for centuries and played a pivotal role in American history. With its ecological and cultural significance, the Chesapeake has become a symbol of the delicate balance between human activity and nature.
  • Read more about A Sound Investment: Restoring the Great Lakes in Our National Parks Report A Sound Investment: Restoring the Great Lakes in Our National Parks These success stories highlight the important role our national parks play in restoring the Great Lakes – the largest source of fresh water on the planet.
  • Read more about Data Centers Fact Sheet Data Centers Data centers are environmentally problematic in a variety of ways. Specifically, data centers consume as much energy as 25,000 households per year and millions of gallons of water a day. They also disrupt communities with noise and health violations. Data centers can threaten national parks and drinking water quality.
  • Read more about What Is a National Monument? Fact Sheet What Is a National Monument? A brief explanation of what these important public lands are and how they differ from national parks and other sites managed by the federal government.
  • Read more about "Paving Tundra" Documentary "Paving Tundra" Oct 2022 Experience northeast Alaska’s national parks, wildlife and Alaska Native communities most impacted by the proposed Ambler mining road in this short documentary.
  • Read more about Visualizing “Build-Out” in the Upper Delaware River Corridor Resource Visualizing “Build-Out” in the Upper Delaware River Corridor Envisioning the future of the Upper Delaware River Corridor
  • Read more about Report: Alaska’s economic claims for Ambler Mining Road don’t pan out Report Report: Alaska’s economic claims for Ambler Mining Road don’t pan out New analysis indicates it is far too soon for the State of Alaska and Ambler Metals to promise financial prosperity – or breaking even – with the proposed mining road
  • Read more about Alaskan Mining Operations Severely Underestimated Hazardous Spills Report Alaskan Mining Operations Severely Underestimated Hazardous Spills New analysis compares the predicted impacts described in permitting documents to actual spill records from five major operational hardrock mines.
  • Read more about Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study Area Interactive Map Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study Area Sep 2015 View a map of natural and cultural features.
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