Dear Friend of the National Parks,

Joy Oakes here. After opening NPCA's Mid-Atlantic office in 2001 and traveling many advocacy paths with you, I retire in November. I am deeply grateful for the difference we have made, together. We've significantly reduced air pollution harming parks, people and the climate. We've improved rivers and streams flowing through parks. We've defended treasured places from incompatible developments, expanded parks and established new parks to illuminate untold stories from America's journey toward "a more perfect Union". After leaving NPCA, I will join the West Virginia Land Trust board, among other pursuits.

I'm incredibly pleased that Ed Stierli, pictured below left, has been hired to step into the senior director role. For more than 10 years, Ed has led local, state and federal advocacy and political campaigns for education and environmental causes. He first joined NPCA in 2012 to advance advocacy for national parks in the Chesapeake and led our Find Your Voice initiative during the Park Service's centennial. 

For the past five years, he led state and electoral campaigns at Save the Children Action Network, where he grew the field program to 17 states and advocated for early childhood education and policies to end child hunger and protect kids around the world.

With Ed's return, I look forward to seeing how, together, you write the next chapters of NPCA's history. 
 

Welcome Alice Murphy, Community Outreach, Research, and Engagement Intern
Alice Murphy, middle photo above, joined NPCA in August as the community outreach, research and engagement intern. We're thrilled that Alice is able to join our team and learn how to successfully organize and implement campaigns to protect our national parks. She is an avid rock climber and hiker, and, like many outdoor enthusiasts, feels a responsibility to preserve these natural places. Alice is a senior at University of Maryland studying Honors English and Sustainability.

Welcome Jimi Shaughnessy, Veterans Program Manager
Welcome Jimi Shaughnessy, pictured above right, NPCA's new veterans program manager. Jimi's focus will be enhancing our work with veteran partners and communities. Jimi's experience includes serving in the Marine Corps, managing programs for a veterans services organization, and a few seasons as a wildland firefighter and conservation crew leader. He studied Anthropology and Archaeology at Hunter College and is continuing his education at George Washington University's Sustainable Urban Planning program.

New Sourcebook Released: Sustaining and Growing Delaware River Communities
This month NPCA released a new sourcebook, “Sustaining and Growing Delaware River Communities”. This resource is a tool to assist gateway communities in preserving community character, promote pride and community health, and stimulate local economies. The Delaware River corridor is home to ten national park units, and touches the states of Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The sourcebook provides solutions and inspiration to gateway communities facing challenges including increased visitation, development and climate impact.

Data Centers Development Projects Threaten Mid-Atlantic Parks
Unfortunately, throughout our region, poorly planned and sited development projects regularly pose threats to our national parks. Such is the case in Prince William County Virginia, where developers are working with the Board of Supervisors to develop large, industrial data centers directly adjacent to two national parks -- Prince William Forest Park and Manassas National Battlefield Park. Both developments have portions within the parks' designated boundaries, and we are advocating for funding to protect these lands that are under threat from inappropriate development. Learn more about development threats in the Mid-Atlantic Region, including the proposed Maglev train and highway expansion projects.

Much work is still underway, and I invite you to learn more about the Mid-Atlantic parks on our webpage, attend an upcoming NPCA event or take action to protect parks!

It has been honor to work with you to advocate for the integrity and meaning of our national parks. I look forward to what you continue to accomplish with our ace NPCA team and community partners.

Sincerely,

Joy Oakes
Senior Director, Mid-Atlantic Region

Photos from top: Ed Stierli, Alice Murphy and Jimi Shaughnessy © NPCA; Milford Historic District © Cheryl Fleishman | Dreamstime.com; Manassas National Battlefield Park © Zrfphoto | Dreamstime.com; Joy Oakes © NPCA