New Team Members and Access to Parks

NPT's land acquisition project in the US Virgin Islands, was completed in 2015 thanks to a generous gift from new board member Mike Carper.

National Park Trust is excited to welcome Hellene Runtagh and Mike Carper to our Board of Trustees. Hellene was formerly President and CEO of Berwind Group, a diverse company with global businesses in a wide range of industries. Mike is the President and Chief Legal Officer of United Wireless Holdings, Inc. and is a Principal with Intelligent Partners, LLC where he provides expertise in the communications and internet industries.

National Park Trust will provide 2,200 students with free park trips thanks to Hydro Flask’s ‘Parks for All’ Charitable Giving Program. With the $50,000 gift from Hydro Flask, NPT will be able to support 50 Title I schools through our Kids to Parks Day National School Contest. For many of these students, this will be their first park experience.

The Kids to Parks Day School Contest is a national program providing up to $1,000 per school to cover transportation costs and program fees, the biggest barrier to the outdoors for students in Title I schools.

National Park Trust is looking for our 2019 Buddy Bison Student Ambassador! With support from NPT, Buddy Bison Student Ambassadors promote their park adventures via social media, blog posts, and short writing features in NPT’s newsletters. They also represent NPT at special events.

Ambassador Benefits:

Your own pint-sized Buddy Bison, plus additional Buddys to hand out during your park visits/volunteer events
Buddy Bison t-shirts and swag
NPT will share your adventures on our social accounts and blog
Special access to park events
Opportunities to meet park officials and rangers

Students in grades 3-7 can apply NOW to be a steward of our parks and share their love for the outdoors with kids across the nation! The application is easy—we just want to hear how and why you love parks! The deadline to apply is March 31, 2019.

APPLY NOW

This spring, Middle Ridge Elementary (GA) hopes to visit a local wildlife center for National Kids to Parks Day, where they will learn about fish, go for a hike, and plant trees! Students across the country from pre-k through 12th grade are telling us what they want to learn from the outdoors in drawings and essays for the Kids to Parks Day School Contest.

NPT will provide park trips for thousands of students across the country. Classes can receive up to $1,000 for their dream park trip—deadline to apply is February 14, 2019.

APPLY NOW