Oil exploration mars Big Cypress National Preserve. Caneel Bay Resort at Virgin Islands National Park remains in shambles nearly three years after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Coronavirus shutters parks across the National Park System. Year-round, National Parks Traveler brings you news and features about national parks and protected areas, and this week we're asking you to support that effort.

It's a tough time to be passing the hat. There's a lot of hurting going on around the country. But there's a lot of hope, too. Hope that the economy will come back quickly, that a vaccine for Covid-19 will soon be available, and that national parks will reopen smoothly and without incident.

At the Traveler, our job is to keep you informed about the progress the parks are making. But as a nonprofit journalism outfit, especially during a time when the tourism industy is on its knees, we can't do it without your support.

Doug Leen, the force behind Ranger Doug Enterprises, the man who has spent the past 50 years tracking down original Works Progress Administration posters of the national parks to donate to the Interior Department, understands the value of the Traveler. That's why he's willing to send us $1,000 to keep the lights on if you'll match his generosity.

Jim Stratton, who had a distinguished career with the National Parks Conservation Association and now is a Traveler board member, will match $500 of your donations. They believe in our mission and want Traveler to maintain its editorial voice for years to come. We hope you'll help us take their money by making a donation this week.

There is no other news organization that is devoted solely to daily coverage of national parks and protected areas. We work daily to bring you news, perspective, wonderment, and thought-provoking coverage of the parks, and our weekly podcasts bring voices from the parks and about the parks to you.

You, our readers, provide the largest share of our funding, money that fuels our editorial independence. That money goes right to our core mission, not to shareholders or corporate owners.

Yes, you could read Traveler for free. We don't have a paywall because we want as many people as possible to read about the parks, about the challenges they face, the wonders they hold. But if you truly support our efforts and look forward to reading the latest park news and listening to each week's podcast, please don't let Doug and Jim down.