How To Keep The Traveler’s Lights On
Together, We Can Save “the NPR of National Park News”
By Kurt Repanshek, Founder and editor-in-chief
Since announcing four weeks ago that the National Parks Traveler would be shutting down due to insufficient funding to keep it afloat, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern for the Traveler's future. I deeply appreciate this outreach, and it is gratifying to know that over the past 18 years so many readers have appreciated our unique journalistic endeavor.
While we don’t want to shutter the media organization whose sole mission is to provide coverage of the National Park Service and the National Park System, it can no longer be done on a shoestring. It requires a reliable revenue flow. To improve both editorial coverage and financial stability, the nonprofit organization needs to employ a small (3-4) full-time staff, continue to commission freelance assignments, and address IT needs and other operational expenses.
In the past, I have issued open pleas seeking your financial support. Now I need your help more than ever if there can be any glimmer of hope to keep the Traveler from being dispatched to the “news desert” of American journalism, another vital media outlet lost.
Doug Leen, of Ranger Doug acclaim, calls the Traveler “The NPR of National Park news; the Lonely Planet virtual guidebook to the NPS Galaxy.”
“Most small independent and publicly supported news outlets are vanishing in America thanks to big money. Kurt keeps the NPS on its toes and the public informed,” says Leen, a once-upon-a-time seasonal ranger who spent decades collecting and preserving Works Progress Administration national park posters so he could donate them to the Interior Department. “I urge everyone who loves NPS news to support National Parks Traveler.”
With roughly 2 million readers and listeners a year, the Traveler has an audience that can provide the stability it needs. If just 4,000 readers and listeners committed by year’s end to recurring monthly donations of $10 — just $120 a year — the lights would burn brightly.
The Traveler has been recognized through the years by the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, the George Wright Society, and the Western National Parks Association for its coverage of the parks and its guardian agency. We’ve provided you with in-depth coverage of climate-change impacts on the parks, invasive species, and the fallout of budget and staffing shortfalls. We’ve explored parks called the crown jewels of the park system as well as overlooked wonders, and we've been the only organization to annually point to threatened and endangered parks.
With your support, and that of your friends, colleagues, and organizations, we can continue to bring you that coverage. But we can't do it without you. If this coverage is important to you, please sign up for recurring monthly donations before year’s end.
In issuing this final plea, I wanted to give you a chance to help decide whether the Traveler has any future beyond this year.
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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.
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Comments
It boils down to a public service to pay. I'm in.
I have chipped in. Hope to keep seeing Traveler going.
Fingers crossed that enough people sign up. I would miss this site dearly.
Park Lovers,
NOTHING IS FREE. There is an operational cost to keeping the National Parks Traveler going.... There is also a cost of shuttering the National Parks Traveler. Not only will we loose the fantastic content and coverage of OUR Naitonal Parks, the National Parks will lose one of its strongest advocates. The Traveler provides good, honest, advocacy for our National Parks and speaks on behalf of all of us who love the Parks, Americas greatest idea. The Traveler brings together journalists, authors, park service employees, other non-profits, you, and me in an effort to speak with one voice on defending, preserving and improving our National parks and the National Park experience. The cost of closing the National Parks is so much greater than the cost operating it. Let's not let that happen- Take up the charge, do your part, and contribute.
Your work is much appreciated. I'm in!
Never having donated in previous years of reading and enjoying the Traveler, I owe you big. I'll sign up.
There is only one National Parks Traveler.
The Traveler is an invaluable source of information on so many levels. Personally, I use it for trip planning and to keep abreast of the news and politics surrounding these special places. I also appreciate its role as "watchdog", holding public officials accountable for decisions that adversely impact the parks and their resources.
Professionally, I use the Traveler's content in my middle school science classroom. The website is an invaluable collection of reliable articles and resources my students can use to deepen their understanding of and appreciation for their/our national parks. I also listen to the podcast and share stories with my students when they connect with a topic we are studying. When I saw the news of the Traveler shutting down, my first thought was to race and save as much content as I could. It would be a shame to lose this repository of information.
Admittedly, in the past, I supported the Traveler on a periodic basis, giving once or twice a year. Now, I am becoming a monthly supporter for $20 per month in hopes that maybe we just need 2,000 people giving that amount to "keep the lights on" now and for a long time to come.
I'd really prefer to make a once a year donation of $120 rather than making a $10 donation each month. Will that count the same way for purposes of keeping The Traveler's lights on?
Yes it will, WRC. Many thanks.
Thank you for all you do. I'm in for 2 1/2 people
of those 4000.