Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association:
“For eight decades, the non-partisan National Park System Advisory Board has served a vital role on important matters facing our parks, from historic site management to new park creation. Members used their expertise to study issues and make recommendations to the Director of the National Park Service and Secretary of the Interior. After nine members of the board appointed by President Obama resigned in frustration in January, we are pleased to see these vacancies finally filled.
“While we look forward to working with this group to ensure that our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places are protected and preserved for future generations, we had hoped that the Department of the Interior would have recognized the importance of diversity when appointing new members. With all of the threats currently facing our National Park System, from climate change to a nearly $12 billion maintenance backlog, the NPS Advisory Board—and our parks—would benefit from diversity of background as they tackle these pressing issues.”
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About National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its 1.3 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.
