What's in a name, you ask? If you were told you could visit a "national park" or a "national recreation area," where would you head? Most would likely opt for the "national park," and that's part of the thinking behind the "National Parks of Southern West Virginia" marketing campaign.
New River Gorge National River, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and the Bluestone Scenic River have been units of the National Park System for decades. But because they lacked that "national park" appendage, not all park travelers realized they existed or thought to venture to them. That, tourism officials hope, soon will change thanks to the just-launched National Parks of Southern West Virginia marketing campaign.
The three national parks in southern West Virginia are each under separate legislation and titled with a different National Park Service category. Following more than 36 years of intermittent discussion, a marketing campaign will finally unite the three parks as The National Parks of Southern West Virginia.
According to the groups behind the campaign -- Visit Southern West Virginia, the National Park Service, the National Coal Heritage Area, and the New River Gorge Convention & Visitors Bureau -- these three park units, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state of West Virginia, protect 100 miles of water, "which makes it the largest federally protected system of rivers East of the Mississippi."
"We have three exciting national parks in our area, but their names don't always say national parks to those who visit our area. This campaign will increase visibility of our parks, celebrate their unique qualities and bring new visitors to the region to appreciate and experience them," Christy Bailey, chair of Visit Southern West Virginia, told The Register-Herald newspaper of Beckley, West Virginia.
Patricia Kicklighter, superintendent of New River Gorge National River, said, "I truly believe the people who are going to come here are going to see how beautiful these resources are, how wonderful and welcoming the people are, and they are going to fall in love with this area as much as I have. When you appreciate and love an area, what grows out of that is a reason to protect it and to conserve it. If people don't know they are in a national park, how do they know how to behave when they are here and how to protect these resources?"
Stories about:
Story Categories:
A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.
Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:
- Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
- Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
- Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
- North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
- Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
- Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
- Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.
National parks and their natural resources belong to you. The National Parks Traveler works to ensure you know how these essential places are being cared for.
Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter
Unsubscribe at any time.
INN Member
The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.
Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.
Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.
You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.
Comments
The Old Conundrum on display again. Are these places to preserve and conserve for future generations while providing enjoyment for the present -- or are they money machines?
When the superintendent says, " . . . When you appreciate and love an area, what grows out of that is a reason to protect it and to conserve it. If people don't know they are in a national park, how do they know how to behave when they are here and how to protect these resources?" she is hitting squarely on one of the most critical, and yet most neglected, roles of the NPS.
If we are going to continue to try to attract hordes of people to our parks -- or whatever other descriptor we choose to attach to them -- shouldn't there be at least an equally great effort made at the same time to educate those we seek to attract?
It could be as simple as just modifying FIND YOUR PARK to FIND, LOVE, AND PROTECT YOUR PARK.
Is the NPS missing a wonderful opportunity to do that in this Centennial Year?
A conundrum for you. Many people understand those two aren't mutually exclusive. I agree 100% with the Superintendents comment: "When you appreciate and love an area, what grows out of that is a reason to protect it and to conserve it"
If people don't go there, there will be no love.
True. But shouldn't we at least be attempting to educate them and enlist their help in preserving these places? If we can do that successfully, maybe it will someday be easier to limit expansion of parking lots, roads, and other invasive facilities inside the parks.
It seems that we are no longer doing that.
Nothing wrong with that, as long as we aren't fabricating the facts along the way.
You are creating a false equivalancy by calling them "National Parks of Southen West Virginia." There are no national parks in West Virginia--only areas managed by the National Park Service. Get an area designated as a National Park, then market it as such. Your ploy is dishonest and deceptive.