Voyageurs National Park Association Makes and Marks History A $150,000 Landmark Grant For Voyaguers National Park

Date: February 28, 2014
Contact: Christina Hausman, VNPA, 612-333-5424
Contact: Tawnya Schoewe, 218-283-6670

Voyageurs National Park Association announces a three year Landmark Grant commitment to Voyageurs National Park.

In 2015, Voyageurs National Park Association (VNPA) celebrates its 50th anniversary and the Park's 40th anniversary. The Landmark Grant kicks off three years of projects in celebration of Voyageurs and ushers in the next 50 years with an exciting vision and expanded partnership.

Park Superintendent Mike Ward said, "The Landmark Grant will help us serve the public and protect our precious resources where our own budgets are lacking. This funding is truly a tremendous demonstration of VNPA's growth and ingenuity and I cannot tell you how much we appreciate it."

The grant will be used to continue and jumpstart impactdriven projects involving land preservation, research and education, youth engagement and visitor services. Initial funding will support extended visitor center hours and resources, historical interpretive programs, efficiency upgrades at visitor centers, the National Park Teen Ambassador program, and efforts to open the north loop of the Black Bay ski trail.

“What a great pleasure it is to be a part of an organization that’s able to step up and assist the Park at a time of real financial need,” commented Doug Franchot, VNPA Board Chair.

Amid years of federal funding decline, sequestration and a government shutdown, this grant comes at a time when Voyageurs needs it most. VNPA would like to thank our generous supporters who made this unprecedented investment in our park possible. VNPA will keep members and partners updated on ways this grant is being leveraged throughout the Park as work progresses over the next three years.

The Landmark Grant is made possible through Voyageurs National Park Association's Wallace C. Dayton Voyageurs National Park Legacy Fund which was created with generous support from the WM Foundation. VNPA has used this fund to work with willing sellers to acquire private properties within the Park for the Park; over 60 acres have been purchased.

About Voyageurs National Park Association:

Voyageurs National Park Association’s mission is to protect and promote the natural, recreational, and historic resources of Voyageurs National Park. VNPA was created in 1965 to help establish Voyageurs National Park, a waterbased national park that celebrates and preserves the treasures of the North Woods and border lakes, stretching 55 miles near the border of Minnesota and Ontario. Voyageurs National Park was officially created in 1975. Since then, VNPA has continued as Voyageurs’ leading voice for both protection and promotion of its resources, and as a partner with the National Park Service in empowering park stewards, implementing special projects with financial and volunteer support, and working together to preserve the visitor experience and wild nature of the Park for future generations.

www.voyageurs.org