Dear Park Advocate,

Happy New Year! As we embark on another year of protecting our national parks, I'm thrilled to bring you some exciting updates from around the region. We're ready for a year of action and adventures as we continue our park protection work in the Mid-Atlantic and we, of course, cannot do this work without you.



A Watershed Moment for the Chesapeake 
Lawmakers have considered a national park unit for the Bay since President Ronald Reagan declared the Chesapeake Bay a national priority in his 1984 State of the Union address, and the opportunity is finally here. This past summer Senator Van Hollen and Representative Sarbanes of Maryland, along with a bipartisan congressional delegation, introduced the Chesapeake National Recreation Act. This legislation will designate a unified Chesapeake National Recreation Area as part of the National Park System, preserving a collection of new and existing parks and public lands along the Bay. Momentum is building, and we need your help! Urge members of Congress to support a new national park for the Chesapeake.  

Farewell to a Trailblazer: Sharon Davis Retires 
Join me in extending warm wishes to our Delaware River Program Manager, Sharon Davis, who embarked on a well-deserved retirement at the beginning of this month. Since 2017,Sharon worked to engage the communities surrounding the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the Middle and Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational Rivers. Her passion and care for this region is unmatched and she leaves behind a career and legacy of working hard to make the Lehigh Valley a better place to live and work, and for sustainable economic development that benefits people while preserving the region’s unique history and environment. 
 
Battle Lines Update: Defending Our Parks from Data Center Development 
Impacts from the development of industrial data centers continue to threaten national parks in Virginia, and this year presents an opportunity for state lawmakers in Virginia to act on safeguarding the Commonwealth’s cultural and natural resources. In a poll commissioned by NPCA, 83% of Virginia voters, a strong bipartisan majority, would support their state elected officials taking a strong stand to prohibit data centers from being built adjacent to or within the boundaries of national parks. We have joined a coalition of 25 non-profit and community groups from across Virginia to create the Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition. Join us and learn how you can help us advocate for national parks in Richmond, Virginia during this year's General Assembly.  



Heritage Highlights: Experiencing an African American Heritage Tour at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve 
We were thrilled to partner with the Racial Equity and Inclusion Program (REI) of the YWCA of Charleston, West Virginia, and NPS to bring 25 people on a full day guided excursion exploring the rich cultural history of the of the many black coal miners, railroad workers and other community members that helped shape the region surrounding New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Our team worked to provide participants with a deeper understanding and guided discussion at each site. From the creation of Camp Washington Carver in 1947, the first 4-H camp in the country specifically for African American youth, to the tragic disaster of the Hawks Nest Tunnel, one of the largest industrial disasters in US history which resulted in the death of thousands of black workers, this tour shines light on the tragedy, excitement and most importantly, the strength of the African American community in the New River Gorge region. 

Interested in learning this history on your own? Explore the African American Heritage Auto Tour and listen to curated audio tracks wherever you are.    

A Better Experience at Shenandoah National Park’s Old Rag Mountain 
We all love Shenandoah National Park, and with 360-degree views, the summit of Old Rag Mountain is as breathtaking as the challenging hike to reach it. The 9-mile trail, which gains 2,600 feet of elevation and includes a rock scramble, has not deterred the growing crowds of visitors motivated by the spectacular views that await them. Unfortunately, crowded conditions led to problems and frustrations, packed and unsafe trails, and threats to wildlife and plants. Thankfully, following a two-year pilot program, the park will implement a permanent ticketing system to access Old Rag Mountain from March through November. The system will improve visitor experience, address congestion and public safety concerns, and better protect the landscape, including sensitive species, along the extremely popular trail. Know before you go—learn more about timed-entry reservations and recommended hiking trails at Shenandoah National Park.  



Young Professionals Advisory Council will be a New Voice for Parks 
I'm so excited to share that at the end of last year, we officially launched NPCA's new Mid-Atlantic Young Professionals Advisory Council in our region. A dynamic group of 12 advocates from across the region will play a key role in our advocacy efforts on behalf of parks. Learn more about this group that will bring new energy, ideas and perspectives to our park protection work.  

We're Hiring!  
We are excited to announce we are hiring a new Mid-Atlantic Indigenous Engagement Fellow. This Fellow will support our region's work to build relationships with native nations and national parks, as well as support implementation of indigenous knowledge into park protection and advocacy. Apply here.

📖ICYMI: The Anacostia River and the national park site that flanks it were long mistreated and neglected. Are the tides finally turning? "National Parks" magazine profiles the long and winding recovery.  

As we embark on this new year, your support remains the backbone of our mission. Let's make 2024 a year of continued advocacy, exploration and triumphs for our national parks. 

Happy Trails,



Michaela Pavlat
Indigenous Partnerships Field Representative, Mid-Atlantic Region

Images from top: Chesapeake Bay © Burwell and Burwell Photography/iStockphoto; Sharon Davis © NPCA; Park Advocates in front of the Great Chestnut Lodge, the largest log structure of its kind in the world, located at Camp Washington Carver, WV © NPCA, Mid-Atlantic Young Professionals Advisory Council © NPCA