Dear Friend of the National Parks,

The talented and dedicated team in NPCA’s Texas and Oklahoma region continues to support incredible park sites from West to East and North to South. We work passionately to protect and preserve the diverse cultural legacy and natural landscapes found within our national parks, from the deserts to the coasts and the skies above.

This has been an outstanding year for our parks, from bipartisan funding legislation to significant land and water protections. More opportunities for increased park funding are on the horizon, and a record number of visitors are enjoying the parks and taking action on their behalf. All of these efforts are crucial to protecting parks across the country and right here in our region.

During 2021, we have been working on initiatives to ensure our national parks tell the stories of all Americans, are preserved for generations to come and bring in new and diverse advocates

Blackwell School One Step Closer to Becoming National Park Site
The commitment to diversify America’s protected stories leapt forward this month with the bipartisan passage in the House of Representatives of HR 4706, the Blackwell School National Historic Site Act. Sponsored by Texas Congressmen Tony Gonzales and Filemón Vela, this important legislation would designate the Blackwell School in Marfa, Texas as a new national park site. A similar measure, S. 2490, by U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Alex Padilla was voted out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in November. NPCA, in partnership with the Blackwell School Alliance and local community leaders, secured the needed bill sponsorship and support to move this dream towards reality.

Blackwell School may not be a recognizable name. Its history of de facto segregation of Mexican American children in the schools of West Texas and the southwest is one traditionally whispered about, but never told outright. The profound resilience of a community facing discrimination and struggling for equality at this school is at the core of this story. A group of passionate and engaged advocates, including former students, their family members and community leaders, rallied around this underrepresented part of the American experience and vowed to keep it alive.

With the inclusion of Blackwell School as a national historic site, contemporary Latino stories will live on in what remains of a three-room adobe schoolhouse. As the stewards of many important American stories, the National Park Service has an exceptional opportunity to engage and educate about our cultural landscape, and NPCA is proud to help protect these significant historical and cultural stories.

Keeping The Stars At Night, Big and Bright
If you close your eyes to think of the landscapes in Big Bend National Park, you may think of softly lit layers and sweeping vistas of mountainous deserts, or the remote rush of the Rio Grande,but have you ever thought of the wild landscapes that extend into the night? It’s a whole different kind of vista, with wide open skies and more twinkling lights than you’ve ever seen. 

The Big Bend region shares one of the best and brightest night skies in the country. The ultimate goal for preservation of these dark skies is designating a large swath of the West Texas region as an International Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association. The reserve will encompass over 9.8 million acres of land and be among the largest reserves of its kind in the world.

Partnering with the McDonald Observatory, Texas State Parks and Wildlife and other local organizations, NPCA educates local communities on the importance of protecting our dark skies, from regional haze to local lighting issues to night sky tourism.  Whether used for wishing or navigation, NPCA will continue to boldly take action for our starry skies.

Trailblazing Youth Council Sets Standard for Next Generation Advocacy
With an energetic goal to engage, empower and educate the next generation of public land advocates, we had an open call to college students and young professionals in the greater Austin area to join us in speaking up for our parks. The diverse array of applicants, from freelance violin tutors to former White House interns, all with a deep passion for the outdoors, comprise the next generation park advocates.

Twelve individuals rose to the top and became our region’s first NPCA Young Leaders Council. They will more deeply discover the 16 parks in the Texas region, learn about protection of cultural and historical landscapes and stories, and acquire hands-on advocacy skills.

For full-time college student and substitute history teacher Isabel Gonzalez, this experience dovetails into her life-long passion, engaging others as a park ranger. “Since I was in the first grade, I knew I wanted to be a national park ranger and 15 years later, I still strive for this goal. I love sharing my passion for “America’s best idea” with family and friends and engaging everyone in a conversation about these treasured natural and historical wonders.”

Marshall D. Minor, a “self-taught outdoor enthusiast” and photo-communications major, shares his take, “advocacy also means breaking down barriers through demystification around an issue, and empowering others to take steps in their own communities to make an impact.“

"The beauty of native Texas flora and fauna is breathtaking to witness and not only inspires me but encourages me to educate others to protect it.” says Makayla Thornton, a Youth Council member with a background in biology. “I get to enjoy all my passions at the parks.”

As the next generation of park advocates, the Young Leaders Council participants are the perfect voices to reach out to their communities, creating a bona fide connection with the parks and a sense of ownership for the future of authentic park advocacy.

We are so grateful for your partnership and support for our national parks. There is so much more to come in 2022!

With gratitude,



 

Cary Dupuy
Regional Director, Texas 


Photos, from top: The original Blackwell School buiding, Courtesy of the Blackwell School Alliance; Milky Way at Big Bend National Park © Tim Cooper; Texas Youth Council, NPCA.