National Parks Traveler is a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. Your donations will help us strengthen our coverage of national parks and protected areas.

National Parks Traveler is about community, the broad, expansive, and inclusive national parks community. That is a key driver behind the web site and a factor in why we've transitioned the Traveler to a nonprofit organization. It has a mission and role to play long after the current staff retires, as Ken Burns, Dayton Duncan, and others drive home with their views of the Traveler.

Since August 2005, National Parks Traveler’s mission has been to educate the public, increase awareness, and build a strong advocacy for protection and stewardship of our national parks. That mission will be underscored in 2017 as we seek nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, a designation that will cement National Parks Traveler’s role far into the future.

Public dialogue is a vital component of understanding issues, including those that swirl around the national parks. As such, we will continue to allow comments to be placed on National Parks Traveler. But we hope readers will take seriously the responsibility that comes with that.