Contributed by Elisabeth Gustafson
Denali National Park and Preserve and its nonprofit partner, Alaska Geographic, announced today that they are participating in Partners in Preservation (PIP), a community-based partnership of American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to raise awareness of the importance of preserving historic places, which is embarking on its first national campaign in the program’s 10-year history.
In honor of the National Park Service’s centennial, the 2016 Partners in Preservation: National Parks campaign will award $2 million in grants to historic sites in need of preservation within national parks units, as decided by popular vote.
As one of 20 historic places selected, Denali National Park hopes to be one of the winners of the campaign to help restore and relocate the park’s original superintendent’s office, a rustic cabin built in 1926 only a few years after Denali was formed in 1917.
The cabin will be relocated to the park headquarters where visitors will be able to see firsthand how buildings of this type and era were constructed, and will gain an appreciation for the legacy of Denali.
“The restoration and relocation of this cabin is a fantastic way to connect visitors to Denali’s rich history, especially in light of Denali’s upcoming 100th anniversary,” said Alaska Geographic Executive Director, Barbara Bell. “The structure represents the adventure and pioneer spirit of Alaska, and demonstrates how early National Park Service staff made use of whatever materials were available.”
The public is encouraged to vote for their favorite parks today through July 5 on www.VoteYourPark.org, the online portal hosted by National Geographic, this year’s media partner, to determine which sites will receive preservation grants. The public is also invited to share their experiences on social media and celebrate these sites using #VoteYourPark.
“The support of private organizations has been essential to our efforts to care for the places that convey our nation’s history and culture since the creation of the National Park System 100 years ago,” said National Park Service Director, Jonathan B. Jarvis. “The 2016 Partners in Preservation campaign is a strong symbol of our partners’ continued dedication to ensure that these special places are preserved and protected for future generations of Americans.”
“As a premier partner of the National Park Foundation’s Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque campaign and the 2016 National Park Centennial, we are engaging the community in serving, preserving and celebrating U.S. national parks throughout this year,” said Timothy J. McClimon, president of the American Express Foundation.
“Historic preservation is a hallmark of American Express’ involvement in strengthening communities, and we are proud to help lead the effort to preserve these cultural sites and monuments that contribute to our national and regional identity.”
The Partners in Preservation: National Parks campaign gives enthusiasts the opportunity to show their support for their favorite historic sites through a popular vote. At the outset of the campaign, friends groups for each of the 20 participating sites within national parks will receive a grant of $10,000, which will be used to increase public awareness about the historic structures nominated.
The national parks’ sites with the most votes at the end of the voting period will be awarded grants for historic restoration projects. By voting daily at www.VoteYourPark.org, supporters can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to Yellowstone National Park sponsored by National Geographic.
“Since the inception of our national parks system a century ago, the parks’ cultural resources have been central to the visitor experience and telling the full story of our nation’s diverse history,” says Stephanie Meeks, President and CEO, The National Trust for Historic Preservation.
“Today, two-thirds of our more than 400 national parks are dedicated to cultural and historic significance. As such, we are delighted to embark on Partners in Preservation: National Parks, which builds on the program’s decade-long experience in galvanizing public support for preserving historic structures for future generations.”
New to the program for 2016 is a collaboration with National Geographic, a partner with strong ties to U.S. National Parks as well as historic preservation. As the media partner, National Geographic is launching a consumer engagement campaign across its digital and social platforms promoting Partners in Preservation: National Parks and inviting people to vote.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Partners in Preservation: National Parks and celebrate our shared commitment to preserve some of the world’s most meaningful and culturally significant sites,” said Susan Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief, National Geographic.
“We love to give our readers an opportunity to engage with their passion for parks and Partners in Preservation: National Parks is an ideal way to activate our very engaged community and empower them to participate.”
The public can get involved by visiting www.savingplaces.org/partners-in-preservation for more information and voting daily through July 5 at www.VoteYourPark.org.
About Partners in Preservation
Partners in Preservation is a program in which American Express, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, awards preservation grants to historic places across the country. Since 2006, Partners in Preservation, a community-based partnership, has committed $16 million in preservation funding to nearly 200 diverse sites in eight different cities across the country.
Through this partnership, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation seek to increase the public's awareness of the importance of historic preservation in the United States and to preserve America's historic and cultural places. The program also hopes to inspire long-term support from local citizens for the historic places at the heart of their communities.
About Alaska Geographic
Alaska Geographic is the official nonprofit partner to the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management in Alaska. We work in partnership with these public land agencies to connect people to Alaska’s wild places by providing interpretive, educational, and stewardship opportunities to the public. We facilitate collaboration between public lands agencies, businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofits around Alaska to expand capacity for our shared goals of place-based learning and public land stewardship.
Contact:
Elisabeth Gustafson, Alaska Geographic, 907-771-8463, egustafson@alaskageographic.org