The National Park Service received its largest-ever donation

Pass a park ranger or 14-er enthusiast on the street, and you’ll probably hear them singing “Good Day Sunshine” by the Beatles.

On Monday, the National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of the National Park Service, received a record $100 million donation from an endowment created by pharma giant Eli Lilly, its largest since being founded in 1967.

Parks could use the money. The US national park system – which encompasses 430+ areas including national parks, memorials, rivers, trails, and more – is currently facing a $23+ billion maintenance backlog due to unfunded projects.

Other issues exist as well:

• Park maintenance and personnel is declining. Park staffing has declined 20% between 2010 and 2023, while park visitation rose 16% over the same period, leaving less staff to oversee more visitors (and more land). In all, the National Park Service manages 85+ million acres of protected lands, which span across every state in the US and are frequented by 320+ million visitors annually.
• More ecosystems and wildlife are classified as threatened. A 2021 NPS study found 57% of national parks in the Lower 48 states are at high risk from at least one high-impact factor (fire, drought, sea level rise, forest pests/disease, etc.).

This all 👆 comes amid a declining budget. This year, the NPS will receive $150 million less than in 2023.

👀 Looking ahead… The new funds are earmarked for several priorities, including conservation efforts in Florida and grants to facilitate more visits from young people.