National Park Service Announces First Round of Centennial Initiative Projects

For Immediate Release
05-01-08
Contact: Drew Vankat, IMBA Policy Analyst
drew@imba.com
303-545-9011

Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne has announced the first round of National Park Service (NPS) signature projects to revitalize the agency for its 100th anniversary in 2016. The projects, addressing a wide variety of needs in 110 parks across the country, are a major component of the Centennial Initiative a campaign IMBA enthusiastically supports.

IMBA hopes these projects will be the first in an annual infusion of federal and private funding into the NPS. The National Park Centennial Fund Act (H.R. 3094) would provide $100 million each year until 2016. Those federal funds would require an equal match from private sources.

Mountain bicycling will be part of the Centennial Challenge. Already, IMBA volunteer advocates are working with several parks to develop shared-use trail proposals. With 391 NPS units around the nation, mountain bicyclists have an excellent opportunity to help promote and construct singletrack for human-powered recreation.

Nearly 50 NPS units allow bicycling on some dirt roads and trails. IMBA and the NPS signed a MOU in 2005 that recognizes mountain biking as an activity compatible with the agency's mission. In the past three years, IMBA staff and Trail Care Crews have been invited to more than two dozen visits at NPS units, meeting with superintendents, leading trailbuilding schools and consulting on various trail projects.

A complete list of the 2008 National Park Service Centennial Challenge Projects and Programs is available online.

Voice your support for the Centennial Initiative.