Two significant mergers have been formalized in recent days, each with the aim of building a stronger ally for national parks.

In Wyoming/Montana, the Yellowstone Park Foundation has merged with the Yellowstone Association, while in California the Sequoia Natural History Association and Sequoia Parks Foundation have joined forces to form the Sequoia Parks Conservancy. The goal, of course, is to eliminate redundancies, streamline administrations, and generate more for the parks they serve.

The board of directors of the Yellowstone Association and the Yellowstone Park Foundation expect the new organization, which has yet to be officially named, to begin operating jointly by March 2016, and be fully in effect by February 2017. This merger creates a single non-profit organization of more than 50,000 supporters. The combined organization will be more flexible, and able to respond more effectively to the needs of Yellowstone National Park, the two said in a press release.

“The Yellowstone Association has enjoyed a proud heritage since 1933 of connecting visitors to Yellowstone and our natural world through education,” said Jeff Brown, executive director of the Yellowstone Association. “We are excited that the new organization will serve the combined missions and connect people to Yellowstone through outstanding visitor experiences and educational programs, as well as translating those experiences into lifelong support and philanthropic investment.”

“We have a responsibility to the employees, members and donors of both organizations to continue our mission to serve one of our nation’s crown jewels, Yellowstone National Park,” added Karen Bates Kress, president of Yellowstone Park Foundation. “We believe combining both organizations will result in a more responsive organization that will better promote, protect and enhance the Park experience for the millions of visitors each year.”

The Yellowstone Park Foundation has served as Yellowstone’s official fundraising partner since 1996. Its mission is to fund projects and programs that protect, preserve, and enhance the natural and cultural resources, and the visitor experience of the Park. YPF has raised more than $100 million, and funded more than 325 important projects and initiatives since 1996 that include wildlife research, cutthroat trout restoration, trail maintenance, and youth education.

Founded in 1933, the Yellowstone Association is the park’s nonprofit educational partner and has provided over $59 million in aid to Yellowstone since its inception. The Association is the National Park Service's primary partner in providing educational programs, exhibits, and publications for park visitors. Operations include 12 educational stores with gross sales of $3.7 million, the YA Institute which offers nearly 600 in-depth courses each year, and a membership program with nearly 35,000 members. Revenues from sales and memberships allow the Association to make an annual cash donation to the National Park Service for education and research at Yellowstone.

In California, the Sequoia Parks Foundation and the Sequoia Natural History Association have shared the common goal of preserving and enhancing the visitor experience in the parks through funding, education, restoration, protection, and visitor services.

“The two organizations have always worked side-by side,” said Mark Tilchen, the history association's executive director. “The public and our supporters should think of this as a great medley of two outstanding organizations working together to fulfill a greater responsibility to our parks and partners. We are excited about the future and ready to get to work.”

Mr. Tilchen will serve as executive director of the Sequoia Parks Conservancy.

“The decision is quite logical,” said Sequoia Natural History Association Board of Directors’ Chairman Steve Baltzell. “In fact, the Sequoia Parks Foundation was originally created by the Sequoia Natural History Association and, for the first couple of years, shared an office and staff. Other national parks, such as Glacier and Yosemite, have recognized the strength of having one organization and now it is time for our organizations to follow that same path.”

"The Sequoia Parks Conservancy will unify efforts and increase participation to enhance the park visitor experience, protect natural resources and provide quality programs,” said Lee A. Goldstein, chairman of the Transitional Executive Committee (Sequoia Parks Conservancy) and former secretary-treasurer of Sequoia Parks Foundation.

“This merger provides an exciting opportunity to leverage the complementary strengths and 89 years of combined experience of both organizations," said Woody Smeck, superintendent of the two parks. “The new organization will enhance the visitor experience and provide for long-term stewardship of park resources as we head into the Centennial anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.”