© transplanted mountaineer via FlickrThe National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has stepped forward to state that Obama Administration's budget request for the national parks will barely cover costs to pay the bills, let alone restore the operational needs to serve park visitors and protect America's wildlife.
"Our national parks offer affordable vacation destinations for families and invaluable classrooms for America's youth, and we must ensure they are fully protected and staffed," said Tom Kiernan, president of the NPCA.
The NPCA is calling on President Obama to keep his campaign promise and continue the federal commitment toward restoring our national parks in time for the 2016 centennial. The President's 2011 budget request for the NPS is approximately $2.7 billion--a decrease of $21.6 million over the current fiscal year 2010 budget. The budget also includes a $44 million decrease for construction and maintenance needs. Learn more online.