Linda Harvey
Our October speaker was Bret Muter, the Director of Philanthropy and Programming at Western National Parks (WNP). With the recent federal government shutdown, this was an important time to hear about the WNP and what this organization does as a partner to our national parks.
Bret took the opportunity to explain his organization used to be known as Western National Parks Association (WNPA). Originally it was known as the Southwest Monuments Association. But as a result of a recent branding project, the organization adopted a new logo and dropped the word “association” from the title. But WNP is still the same organization and partners with the National Park Service.
In fact, the WNP has been a proud nonprofit partner of the National Park Service since the Depression in 1938, with a collective donation of $234.50 for the purpose of offering free and modestly priced publications to visitors. Proceeds would go into a fund to pay for more publications to support the interpretive efforts in the Southwest monuments. That organization has now grown to 72 parks in 12 western states helping visitors connect more deeply with nature, history, and each other. Bret gave examples of how the WNP accomplishes its mission.
Some of these programs include:
* Working with the Udall Foundation on Parks in Focus which connects kids to parks through teaching kids how to photograph scenes in nature.
* Providing grants to individuals who do archaeology, anthropology, botany, and history to help manage, preserve, and interpret our parks.
* Being a major sponsor and participant in the Tucson Festival of Books each spring on the campus of University of Arizona.
* Running the WNP Book Store in Oro Valley. This is similar, but bigger, than a book store at one of the parks. It has junior ranger items, souvenirs, as well as high-end Navajo jewelry, rugs, and art work. The WNP Book Store in Oro Valley is open daily during the shutdown.
During a shutdown, the national parks remain as accessible as possible. This means some services may be limited or unavailable. Check doi.gov/shutdown before venturing to a park.
The next club meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 4-5:30 p.m. in La Mesa/La Montana Rooms at La Hacienda Club. For more information, send an email to linda_harvey@hotmail.com.