The National Association of State Parks Foundations was pleased to host “I Love My State Parks Week” last year and is anticipating an even bigger “I Love My State Parks Week!” in 2024 during the week of May 12-19 (Sunday to Sunday).

Eleven states participated in the events last year. This year the goal is to get to 20 states! This year we’re also going to end the week – Sunday, May 19 – with a “day of service” to beautify our parks with trail work, clean-ups, restoration work parties, etc., and sharing a social media photo board of participating groups on the NASPF landing page for the event. Prizes will be awarded for the best photo holding the “I love my state parks” logo sign (template forthcoming in the media kit). This contest will be a great way to show our collective spirit!

And speaking of collective, this is a shared event, so don’t forget to involve your agency and other nonprofit partners. We’d like them to register too, so feel free to send along the link(s).

Register for the event by March 31. 

Remember also that this week-long celebration gives a chance to express gratitude for state parks in many ways for all the people who support them and themes change depending on the day (see week calendar in event materials).  The overall objectives of the event are to:

• Increase the visibility of state parks by sharing the story of state parks, benefits to the public, how to access these places, and the programs offered
• Connect with the public to have them share their memories – stories, photos, etc.
• Increase the visibility of the state parks foundations and their supportive missions
• Engage new audiences to the state parks and the nonprofits that support them
• End on May 19 with a collective day of service to rally a shared in-park event across the nation!

We prepared a Social Media Kit and other materials to make it easy to promote the event.

Join us and remember to use the hashtag #ILoveMyStateParksWeek, tag us at #NASPF, and make it a fun week.

National Association of State Parks Foundations

The National Association of State Park Foundations today announced its keynote speakers for its 2022 virtual annual conference on October 13 and 14.

“We are delighted that Cindy Dunn, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will open the conference, and that Stephenne Harding, Senior Director for Lands at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, will be our keynote speaker on October 14,” said Marci Mowery, chair of the National Association. “We are hopeful that National Park Service Director Chuck Sams III will also be able to join us.”

The National Association represents the state park foundations that work closely with the 8500 state parks nationwide.   These parks represent 18.6 million acres of land with 52,600 miles of trails, and the thousands of volunteers and Friends groups that help care for them.

The two-day conference will include nationally recognized speakers presenting sessions on volunteerism pre and post COVID, fundraising, inclusive recreation best practices, insurance and liability insights, and using economic studies for messaging. There will also be a presentation on doing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility the right way.

“Our members are State Park Foundations which represent millions of volunteers and bring a voice to these special places in the landscape.  It is important that we give the foundations and their volunteers the tools they need to conserve and steward the nation’s state parks, which are acknowledged as among the best in the world,” she said.

State parks are more popular than ever, and many are experiencing record visitation, Mowery added. 

The National Association also organizes the annual national “I Love My State Parks” week in May, which aims to increase the visibility of state parks by sharing the story of state parks and their many benefits.

State parks get more than 809 million visitors a year, which includes over 61.6 million overnight users, and state parks generate over $100 billion for local and state economies.

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For more information, contact:

Marci Mowery, Chair, NASPF 717-371-2155 or mmowery-ppff@pa.net

Don Philpott, Vice Chair NASPF 321-277-8442 or don@floridastateparksfoundation.org

www.naspf.org

Following the success of the first ‘I Love My State Parks’ week, the National Association of State Parks Foundations has announced that it will become an annual event.

“A variety of events were held at state parks nationwide during ‘I Love My State Park’ week which ran from May 8-15, and we hope to build on this success every year as we move forward,” said Marci Mowery, chair of the National Association of State Parks Foundations, which organized the event. “Events included volunteer days, hikes, personal engagement, and educational programs, to name a few.”

“The week-long event was a celebration of our state parks which are acknowledged as among the best in the world”, she said.

“The event will kick off every May around Mother’s Day and each day will focus on a different aspect of what makes our state parks important in the lives of people and to economies across the nation,” she said.

“We hope to engage with corporate partners and tourism promotional agencies who will work with us to increase the visibility of our state parks and encourage more people to visit them and support them,” she said.

The National Association provides a national voice as advocates for the 8,500 state parks and forests nationwide, covering 18.6 million acres with 52,600 miles of trails, and the army of volunteers and Friends groups that help care for them. Approximately 31 states have foundations that serve to steward the state parks that improve human and environmental health and play an important part in local and state economies.

State parks get more than 809 million visitors a year, which includes over 61.6 million overnight users, and state parks generate over $100 billion for local and state economies.

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For more information, contact:

Marci Mowery, Chair, NASPF 717-371-2155 or mmowery-ppff@pa.net

Don Philpott, Vice Chair NASPF 321-277-8442 or don@floridastateparksfoundation.org

www.naspf.org

Thousands of events are planned at state parks nationwide in support of the first National ‘I Love My State Parks’ Week which runs from May 8-15.

“This week-long event will be a celebration of our fabulous state parks which are acknowledged as among the best in the world”, said Marci Mowery, chair of the National Association of State Parks Foundations, which is organizing the event.

The National Association provides a national voice as advocates for all the 8,500 state parks and forests nationwide, covering 18.6 million acres with 52,600 miles of trails, and the army of volunteers and Friends groups that help care for them.

“States are organizing their own events throughout the week under the “I love My State Parks” banner and each day will focus on a different aspect of what makes our state parks important in the lives of people and to economies across the nation,” she said.

State parks are more popular than ever, and many are experiencing record visitation, she said. 

“Our aim is to increase the visibility of state parks by sharing the story of state parks and their many benefits. We are also asking the public to share their state park memories – in stories and photos.

“We want to engage new audiences and encourage people who have never visited a state park to do so,” said Mowery.

State parks offer diverse opportunities, providing something for everyone, and this will be reflected in the week of activities. Sunday’s theme will be Cherished Memories, Monday – Heritage (history and culture), Tuesday – Appreciation (thanking park staff and volunteers), Wednesday – Anticipation (planning your next visit); Thursday – Explore Nature, Friday – Health and Wellness, Saturday – Experiences and Sunday’s theme will be a call to action – urging people to visit their state parks, volunteer, donate and support the nonprofits that work with state parks.

Visitors are encouraged to use the hashtags #ILOVEMYSTATEPARKS  and #ILOVEMYSTATEPARKSWEEK to engage with the national celebration and to follow along with the event.

State parks get more than 809 million visitors a year, which includes over 61.6 million overnight users, and state parks generate over $100 billion for local and state economies.

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For more information, contact:

Marci Mowery, Chair, NASPF 717-371-2155 or mmowery-ppff@pa.net

Don Philpott, Vice Chair NASPF 321-277-8442 or don@floridastateparksfoundation.org

www.naspf.org

The National Association of State Parks Foundation has declared the week of May 8 “I Love My State Parks Week”.

“This week-long event, from May 8-15, will be a nationwide celebration of our state parks which are acknowledged as among the best in the world “, said National Association Chair Marci Mowery.

“States will organize their own events throughout the week under the “I love My State Parks” banner and each day will focus on a different aspect of what makes our state parks important in the lives of people and to economies across the nation,” she said.

The National Association which represents statewide non-profit partners of America’s over 8,950 state parks, said it plans for the celebration to become an annual event.

Many states are seeking Proclamations from their Governors and civic leaders to add further support for the event, she said. 

“Our aim is to increase the visibility of state parks by sharing the story of state parks and their many benefits. We are also asking the public to share their state park memories – in stories and photos.

“We want to engage new audiences and encourage people who have never visited a state park to do so,” said Mowery.

State parks offer diverse opportunities, providing something for everyone, and this will be reflected in the week of activities. Sunday’s theme will be Cherished Memories, Monday – Heritage (history and culture), Tuesday – Appreciation (thanking park staff and volunteers), Wednesday – Anticipation (planning your next visit); Thursday – Explore Nature, Friday – Health and Wellness, Saturday – Experiences and Sunday’s theme will be a call to active – urging people to visit their state parks, volunteer, donate and support the nonprofits that work with state parks.

During COVID, state parks and forests provided a haven for hundreds of millions of people, many who had not visited a state park before. As a result, state parks have never been more popular, and many are experiencing record visitation.

State parks get more than 809 million visitors a year, which includes over 61.6 million overnight users, and state parks generate over $100 billion for local and state economies.

The National Association supports state park volunteer organizations and provides a national voice as advocates for all state parks.

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For more information, contact:

Marci Mowery, Chair, NASPF 717-371-2155 or mmowery-ppff@pa.net

Don Philpott, Vice Chair NASPF 321-277-8442 or don@floridastateparksfoundation.org

www.naspf.org

The nation’s state parks are among the best in the world, but they would not be able to operate as they do without millions of dedicated volunteers, the National Association of State Parks Foundations said today.

“Volunteering is a great way of supporting state parks and there are always volunteer opportunities year-round,” said National Association Chair Marci Mowery.

“So, if you love your state parks and want to make a difference in your state, now is the time to step up and volunteer,” she said.

While much of the nation was shut down for months due to COVID 19, state parks and forests provided a haven for hundreds of millions of people, many who had not visited a state park before. As a result, state parks have never been more popular, and many are experiencing record visitation.

State parks get more than 809 million visitors a year, which includes over 61.6 million overnight users, and state parks generate over $100 billion for local and state economies.

However, as more visitors use the parks and facilities, there is more wear and tear and park staff assisted by an army of volunteers work to keep everything running smoothly. Apart from maintenance and repairs there are scores of other volunteer opportunities and these are listed on the websites of state park systems so volunteering is easy.

Nationwide there are over 8,950 state parks and managed areas covering 19.29 million acres. This includes state parks, recreation areas, natural areas, historic areas, environmental education areas, scientific areas forests, fish and wildlife areas and other miscellaneous areas. There are more than 10,230 trails stretching 46,500 miles. There are 226,530 campsites, 8,730 cabins, 1,122 group facilities and 1,112 lodges with 5,769 rooms.

It costs $3.13 billion to run the nation’s state parks with about 49,000 full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff. It is also acknowledged that state parks could not operate as they do without the 1.6 million volunteers who contribute about 38 million hours of service annually.

The National Association supports statewide volunteer organizations and provides a national voice as advocates for all state parks.

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For more information, contact:

Marci Mowery, Chair, NASPF 717-371-2155 or mmowery-ppff@pa.net

Don Philpott, Vice Chair NASPF 321-277-8442 or don@floridastateparksfoundation.org

www.naspf.org

While much of the nation was shut down last year due to COVID 19, state parks and forests provided a safe haven for tens of millions of people, the National Association of State Park Foundations said today.

“Many state park systems reported record visitation - in some cases up more than 50 percent over the previous year,” said NASPF chair Marci Mowery, who is also president of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.

“Some state park systems closed down for a short time, but many others stayed open and saw huge increases in visitation. Minnesota for instance, saw a 50 percent increase in visitors last March over the same month in 2019. In Pennsylvania, the number of visitors over the year was 23% higher than the previous year, and it was a similar story in states nationwide.”

In January 2021, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, speaking about the record numbers, said, “our outdoor spaces hold even greater value than we could have imagined before the challenges of last year.”

People realized that state parks provided a safe, healthy and enjoyable way to experience the great outdoors,” said Mowery. “The more than 6,500 state parks nationwide offer thousands of miles of biking, hiking, nature, fitness and paddling trails allowing people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors in a safe environment,” she added.

“Numerous studies have shown that nature is actually good for our health and well-being and state parks are the ideal place to commune with nature, reduce stress levels and unwind,” said Gil Ziffer, President of the Florida State Parks Foundation. “And by being vigilant in practicing social distancing, our parks also provided a safe outlet for so many.”

Being stuck indoors tends to reduce exercise levels while visiting a state park allows you to walk, jog, cycle, canoe and maybe swim – all activities that improve health and well-being.

Another benefit is that you become more relaxed. According to research, it only takes five minutes to experience the relaxing effects of nature.  Your concentration also improves. Studies show that spending time outside can also improve creative thinking, he said. 

The National Association for State Park Foundations provides a national voice as advocates for all state parks. There are more than 8,500 state parks and forests covering 18.6 million acres with 52,600 miles of trails. In 2019-20, state parks attracted more than 800 million visitors. On average nationwide, state parks’ expenditure is less than 1 percent of their annual state’s budget, yet they generate billions of dollars to their respective state economies and create hundreds of thousands of job.

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For more information contact:

Marci Mowery, Chair, NASPF 717-371-2155 or mmowery-ppff@pa.net
Don Philpott, Vice Chair NASPF 321-277-8442 or don@floridastateparksfoundation.org

The National Association of State Park Foundations has been launched to support and advocate for the army of volunteers and Friends groups that help care for the nation’s state park and forests.

“Every state in the nation has many wonderful state parks and forests and they all rely heavily on volunteers and nonprofit Friends groups,” said National Association Chair Marci Mowery.

“These volunteers and groups support the work of park managers and staff, raise funds for projects in the parks, help run educational and environmental programs, and much more. Without them, many parks would not be able to operate,” she said.

The National Association, a 501(c)3 incorporated organization, will connect, build, elevate, and empower these member statewide non-profit partners of America’s state parks and advocate for them, she added.

Full membership is open to all nonprofit groups directly supporting their state parks and affiliate membership is open to individuals, other organizations and corporate entities that want to support our mission and goals, said Mowery.

The officers of the National Association are Marci Mowery, Chair, who is President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation, Don Philpott, Vice Chair, who is President Elect of the Florida State Parks Foundation, and David Pearson, Secretary and Treasurer, who is the executive director of the North Carolina Friends of State Parks.

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For more information contact Marci Mowery, Chair, at 717-236-7644 or Don Philpott, Vice Chair, at 321.277.8442