Date: February 2, 2015
Contact: Lauren Gurniewicz, 210/534-8833
The National Park Service (NPS) announced yesterday that President Obama's budget
request for fiscal year 2016 –the centennial year of the NPS –includes $3
billion for the agency's critical conservation, preservation, and recreation
mission. The budget request boosts essential programs and operational needs by
$432.9 million.
The budget proposal would provide targeted increases for the NPS Centennial
Initiative, a multi-year effort to support the preservation of America's
natural, cultural and historic treasures, invest wisely in the National Park
System's most important assets, expand the use of parks for informal learning
and recreation, engage new volunteers, and enhance the agency's ability to
leverage partnerships to accomplish its mission. The Initiative includes a discretionary
increase of $40 million to provide the federal match for NPS Centennial
Challenge projects and programs at national parks to catalyze creative
initiatives to improve visitor services, support outreach to new audiences, and
leverage partnerships to reinvigorate the parks while forging connections with
communities.
If funded, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park will expand its volunteer
program by providing opportunities for youth to engage in service projects and
internships, add staff to provide additional programming for visitors, increase
outreach into the local community, and capitalize on current research to expand
preservation efforts.
"This centennial budget is the cornerstone for the next 100 years of stewardship of
America's iconic natural, cultural and historic resources like San Antonio
Missions National Historical Park," said Superintendent Mardi Arce. "The
centennial budget is significant for this park and parks around the country
because it helps us be better stewards of park resources and it will allow us
to welcome a new generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates as they experience
their national parks.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is one of 405 national parks. The
National Park Service is charged with preserving these lands and historic
features for their cultural and historic significance, scenic and environmental
worth, and educational and recreational opportunities.
-NPS-
