2007 ANNUAL REPORT
SAVING THE LEGACY OF THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PARKS

"While we continue to work on our projects in Florida and Arkansas, we are excited about our new projects in Alaska, West Virginia, Minnesota, and California, many of which are featured in this Legacy report. After reading about our work, we hope that you too will share our enthusiasm."
           - NPT Executive Director, Grace Lee

Click here to read Annual Report

NEW FEATURE!
An interactive map of our past projects is now available by clicking here. Green markers show the location of each project; clicking on a marker will bring up more information, such as the Virgin Islands example shown on the right.

To further National Park Trust’s mission of preserving the national system of parks, we recently completed or are actively involved in the following land projects: (Active projects in Green)

Alaska: Gates of Arctic National Park (Ongoing since 2007)
NPT is working to protect critical land within the park to be used for science and environmental education. The park is located above the Arctic Circle and is an ideal location to study the effects of climate change.

Arkansas: Johnnycake Ranch (Ongoing since 2003)
NPT holds the conservation easement on this 2000 acre ranch, which abuts the Ouachita National Forest and the Poteau Mountain Wilderness Area. The forest is home to 79 proposed, endangered, threatened, and sensitive species. The easement also provides habitat protection for the bald eagle. The conservation easement benefits both the Wilderness Area and the National Forest by providing a buffer zone to ensure the continued ecological viability of these federal assets.

California: Lassen Volcanic National Park (Ongoing since 2007)
NPT is raising funds to restore and rebuild the Lassen Peak Trail, the signature trail to the peak of the Park's namesake.  Years of use has led to the trail’s deterioration and degradation of the fragile mountain ecosystem. NPT is also partnering with the Lassen Park Foundation to raise scholarship funds to send underserved through the Foundation's youth camping programs.

Colorado: Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness (Ongoing since 2008)
The National Park Trust and the Wilderness Land Trust have formed a partnership to protect a 10-acre inholding perched on a high ridge within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area. This pristine property is located in the beautiful mountain ranges between Aspen and Crested Butte, Colorado. Once the necessary funds are raised, the property will be donated to the US forest service for inclusion in the wilderness.  

Florida: Big Cypress National Preserve (Ongoing since 2002)
NPT is providing legal staff and technical advice in the purchase of 12,000 acres of "inholdings" located within the boundary of the Preserve. This is the largest non-park service owned area remaining in park and is being subjected to illegal hunting and un-permitted off-road vehicles.

Kansas: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (1994 - 2005)
NPT played a singular role in the recent establishment of the first national park unit devoted to the natural and cultural history of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem – the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve located in the Flint Hills of Kansas. In 1994, NPT acquired 10,894-acre ranch, which became the park. Today, NPT monitors the park management through our Kansas Park Trust.

Minnesota: Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary (Ongoing since 2007)
NPT is working to raise funds for the ecological restoration of this unique 27-acre park on the Mississippi floodplain east of St. Paul, Minnesota. The sanctuary includes spring-fed wetlands, floodplain forest, prairie and oak woodland habitat, and unusual concentration of cultural resources. Funding for interpretation and park amenities will also be provided.

West Virginia:  Washington Family Legacy Project (Ongoing since 2006)

NPT is working with a coalition of historic preservationists and landowners to protect and celebrate the legacy George Washington and his family in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.  NPT is also working to restore one of the eight Washington Family homes in the area, Claymont Court (ca. 1820, built by George Washington's grandnephew, Bushrod Corbin Washington). 

Youth to Parks Scholarship Fund (Ongoing since 2008) 
In addition to land projects, NPT is cultivating the next generation's love of the outdoors.  Children today spend more time indoors than previous generations and are increasingly disconnected from the natural world. To reverse that trend, NPT has instituted a new program called the Youth to Parks Scholarship Fund.  NPT has partnered with several organizations with the goal of reconnecting children and nature; educating and fostering future conservationists; and providing park opportunities to underserved youth.

Kentucky: Abraham Lincoln's Boyhood Home (2004)
NPT provided funding to option and then complete the million-dollar acquisition of the Abraham Lincoln boyhood home at Knob Creek Hill, a 232-acre property.

Oklahoma: Lake Atoka (2002 - 2006)
NPT is working with private citizens and ancient timber experts to establish a new national park at historic Lake Atoka, a rare cross-timbers and post oak savanna ecotone. Because of our group’s involvement, the owner has not clear-cut the property and negotiations continue for its protection.

Missouri: Missouri State Parks Foundation (2004)
NPT provided funds to establish the Missouri State Parks Foundation. The foundation includes volunteers and state officials.  NPT has helped several states increase their capacity to protect new parks.

Alaska: Afognak Island State Park (2004)
NPT provided funds to the Brown Bear Trust to help with the preservation of Kodiak Island. With NPT’s assistance, they have established a volunteer coordinator who pays particular attention to bear habitat issues.

West Virginia: Harpers Ferry National Historic Park (2004)
NPT is assisting local organizations to protect the site of a major cavalry battle and the site of the founding of the organized black civil rights movement from potential housing developments.

Colorado: Rocky Mountain National Park (2004-2006)
With a donation from NPT, a critical 130-acres on the southeast corner of the park was protected by a conservation easement.

California: California State Parks (2004)
NPT has been a resource to the State in the protection of a biologically significant hill region.

Washington, DC: Rock Creek Park (2004)
NPT purchased a critical property located at Fort Stevens, a "missing link" which is part of Rock Creek Park, a unit of the national park system.

U.S. Virgin Islands: Virgin Islands National Park (2004-2005)
NPT secured a million dollar-plus donation of lands that will extend the southern beach of the park near Rams Head. This property is part of an NPT initiative to add land to the U.S. Virginia Island National Park that will also protect a marine sanctuary.

North Dakota: Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site (2005-2006)
NPT is working with the NPS superintendent to acquire additional property at the park entrance, which will also protect wetland. NPT has assisted in previous acquisitions.

INTERNATIONAL

China: Lujiang Province (2003 and 2006)
NPT was asked by the US and China National Park Services to advise China’s growing national park system.  Currently, NPT is in Lujiang Province to establish U.S.-China Peace Park to honor the World War II Flying Tigers. NPT has been asked to assist in the creation of educational films about China’s parks.

NPT also circulates its Annual Report and NPT News (an electronic newsletter), which describe critical parkland acquisitions and related issues. These publications educate the public on how they can help support efforts on the protection of national parklands.

The following projects were completed from inception through 2001

Montana: Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (2001)
NPT protected land near Shambow Lake, home to trumpeter swans, nesting bald eagles, and a vast array of wildlife. The property was in imminent danger of being developed.

California: Point Reyes National Seashore (2001)
NPT staff provided technical assistance on how to proceed with the transfer of major telecommunication in-holding to NPS. 

Maryland: Piscataway National Park (2001)
NPT provided grant to facilitate the $500,000 preservation of a 56-acre parcel that protects the critical view shed from Mount Vernon.

California: Joshua Tree National Park, California (2001)
NPT provided consultant services to assist NPS in acquiring various parcels ranging in size from 5 to 480 acres.

Missouri: Missouri State Park Foundation (2000)
NPT's first project of this kind, assistance was provided to the Missouri Division of State Parks in establishing the state park foundation.

Nebraska: Boyer Chute National Wildlife Preserve (2000)
NPT provided a grant which helps raise close to $80,000 to protect 40 acres believed to have been explored by Lewis & Clark.

West Virginia: Blackwater Canyon, State Park (2000)
NPT provided the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy a one time grant to educate people on the need to protect the park.

North Dakota: Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site (1999)
NPT provided funds for the acquisition of a 13 acre tract which provide a noise and visual buffer for the park.

Kentucky: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site (1999)
NPT provided a $10,000 grant for the "option agreement" in order to hold land while the Preservation of Lincoln's Kentucky Heritage raised the $1 million necessary to acquire the project.

West Virginia: Harper's Ferry Conservancy (1998)
NPT provided a grant to assist in developing a strategy for conserving lands within a 25 mile radius of Harper's Ferry National Historic Park.

Virgin Islands: Virgin Islands National Park (1998)
With the help of NPT, the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park were able to accept a million dollar land donation to enable land swap of key in-holdings within the Park.

Minnesota: Mississippi National River &  Recreation Area (1998)
NPT assisted the City of Dayton in the acquisition of 20 acres of natural bluffs, overlooking the park unit.

New Mexico: Bandelier National Monument (1998)
NPT provided funds to help preserve 90 acres at Elk Meadows, a critical area to expand the park.

California: Sequoia National Park (1998)
NPT acquired the famous White Chief Mine in critical wilderness and wildlife valley, saving the wilderness area from proposed development.

Colorado: Hovenweep National Monument (1998)
NPT covered the cost of a complex land swap and easement to protect the entrance of the park from a planned resort.

Oregon: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (1998)
NPT assisted in acquiring 40 acres to protect scenic park entrance, completing the park.

California: San Francisco National Historic Park (1998)
NPT loaned funds to the National Maritime Museum Association to repair the historic ship, the "Balclutha."

Pennsylvania: Gettysburg National Military Park (1998)
NPT, Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg, and the Civil War Trust cooperated in 135-acre agricultural easement critical in protecting the historical significance of this park.

Arizona: Tumacacori National Historic Park (1997)
NPT assisted NPS in acquiring final 3 acres of this Park.

Idaho: Craters of the Moon National Monument (1997)
NPT helped NPS on protecting a 37-acre parcel in sensitive watershed, completing the Monument.

California: Redwood National Park (1997)
NPT assisted the NPS acquire a fish hatchery in a pristine tract of old growth coastal redwood forest.

Georgia: Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site (1996)
NPT purchased the final three properties needed to complete a park in time for the 1996 Olympics.

Maryland: Appalachian National Scenic Trail (1996)
NPT preserved property atop South Mountain, a site of a Confederate battery during the battle of South Mountain.

Kansas: Z Bar/Spring Hill Ranch (1994)
NPT preserved the 10,894 acre Z Bar Ranch making this the first privately owned national park, the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.

New Mexico: El Malpais National Monument (1994)
NPT purchased two 5-acre tracts slatted for a subdivision.

Virginia: Colonial National Historical Park (1994)
NPT loaned funds to preserve 20 undeveloped subdivision lots to protect the view shed of the Colonial Parkway.

New York: Women's Rights National Historical Park (1993 and 1997)
NPT helped purchase Baldwin House to be used as a visitors center by the NPS. In a separate transaction in 1996, NPT helped the NPS acquire the final parcel of the historic Elizabeth Cady Stanton lot.

Texas: Big Thicket National Preserve (1992)
NPT secured a donation of 50 acres adjacent to the Park and held it pending federal approval for expansion.

New Mexico: Pecos National Monument (1992)
NPT assisted in purchasing 40 acres in Glorietta Battlefield.

West Virginia: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (1992)
NPT helped preserve 56 acres of the School House Ridge Battle site.

Maryland: C&O Canal National Historic Park (1992)
NPT purchased a 30-acre island on the Potomac River preserving the historic view shed.

Massachusetts: Minute Man National Historical Park (1991)
NPT purchased the 24-acre Perry Farm, where the minutemen gathered to meet the British troops.

Washington: Olympic National Park (1990)
NPT preserved 6 acres of scenic giant forest and spotted owl habitat adjacent to Lake Quinault.

Alaska: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (1986)
NPT provided funding and leadership to preserve historical buildings at the Kennecott Copper Mine.

Alaska: Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve (1986)
NPT assisted in the donation of Coal Creek claims to the National Park Service valued at over 5 million dollars.

Wyoming: Fort Laramie National Historical Park (1986)
NPT secured funds to purchase the final in-holding completing this park.

Texas: Big Bend National Park (1986)
NPT donates funds to facilitate the transfer of 15 acres that provide access to the Rio Grande River.

Hawaii: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (1985)
NPT provided technical assistance in a 5,650 acre federal/state land exchange.

Florida: Big Cypress National Preserve (1985 and 1990)
NPT preserved 100 acres of prime habitat for the endangered Florida panther.

Maine: Acadia National Park (1985)
NPT purchases and donates five acres to the National Park Service protecting an extensive system of carriage roads.

Alaska: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (1983)
A crucial five acre tract in-holding proposed for a hunting lodge was preserved and turned over to the National Park Service.