The National Parks Conservation Association, which operates a number of offices across the country to stay on top of national park issues, has opened an office in St. Paul, Minnesota, to keep an eye on parks in the Upper Midwest.

The office, which will be staffed by Christine Goepfert as NPCA's Upper Midwest program manager, will enable the NPCA to work more directly with partners for Minnesota and South Dakota’s 10 national parks.  Having launched the first field office for Transportation for America, a national transportation organization, Ms. Goepfert brings a strong background in coalition building and policy advocacy to protecting the region’s national parks.

“As a life-long outdoors enthusiast who’s visited many national parks, I am thrilled to join the NPCA team to help protect our national parks for future generations,” she says.  “We must take care of these great places now so that people for years to come can enjoy their natural beauty, awe inspiring views and appreciate the wildlife and historical significance of our national parks.”

Ms. Goepfert will continue NPCA’s leadership to oppose the $690 million bridge at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. NPCA is working closely with the Sensible Stillwater Bridge Partnership, which favors a far less costly and less impactful bridge over the federally protected river. 

She also will work with partners to protect air quality at Voyageurs National Park and to stop the spread of Asian carp in Minnesota waterways. She will work with partners to secure funding to purchase land within Upper Midwest national parks, which will improve visitors’ experiences as well as wildlife migration in the parks.

“We have many national park supporters in Minnesota and South Dakota and now we are fortunate to have Chris on board to work with them,” said Lynn McClure, NPCA’s Midwest regional director.

While Ms. Goepfert works to protect national parks in Minnesota and South Dakota, she will also engage NPCA supporters to advocate for increased funding for the National Park Service so the parks have the resources necessary to ensure effective management of our parks.