National Parks Traveler has been recognized by the Western National Parks Association with its 2019 Stewart L. Udall Award.

Kurt Repanshek, founder and editor-in-chief of the Traveler, traveled to Tucson, Arizona, on November 7 to receive the award during a reception hosted by WNPA's board of directors.

"This award is named in honor of Stewart L, Udall, who served on WNPA's Board of Directors from 1984-1994," said James Cook, WNPA's executive director. "The Udall award, established in 2011, recognizes individuals whose work boosts park interpretation programs, carries the park message to popular audiences, and rallies broad public support for the parks."

Repanshek accepted the award on behalf of all the volunteers and commissioned writers and photographers who have contributed content to National Parks Traveler over the years.

"This award is greatly appreciated," he said. "It's recognition of the tremendous interest in national parks that the Traveler strives to satisfy through its reporting and photography, and recognition of the diligent work our contributors bring to the nonprofit news organization."

WNPA Executive Director Jim Cook (right) presented Traveler founder Kurt Repanshek with the group's Stewart L. Udall Award

National Parks Traveler, which focuses on editorially independent coverage of national parks and protected areas, offers articles every day of the year on its flagship website, reaches an additional audience through its Apple News feed, and provides weekly podcasts with park-related content. In the past Traveler was recognized for its work by the George Wright Society (2015) and the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks (2017).

WNPA is a nonprofit education partner of the National Park Service. WNPA supports more than 70 parks across the West, developing products, services, and programs that enrich the visitor experience.