‘Parks in Wreck’ Crowdfunding Campaign to Help Canyonlands National Park

• Western Energy Alliance raising funds for non-profit Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks
• Campaign promotes legislation to use oil, natural gas revenues to fund park maintenance nationally

DENVER – National parks have never been more popular, yet the need for infrastructure repairs and maintenance has never been higher. Western Energy Alliance is launching a Parks in Wreck, 30-day crowdfunding campaign to support Canyonlands National Park outside of Moab, Utah. Contributions can be made at www.freedomfy.com/projects/parks-in-wreck-challenge.

​“Canyonlands was created to protect scenic and archeologic treasures, but today faces challenges of wear and tear,” said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Alliance. “We’re drawing attention to how groups like Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks help conserve parks every day, while also supporting legislation that would provide a long-term solution. About 330 Members of Congress from both parties have co-sponsored bills that would take money from energy development on non-park public lands to address critical park maintenance needs that are otherwise underfunded. The vast majority of the funds would come from oil and natural gas development. We’re the sole source of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and could also be a vital funding source for national park infrastructure if this bill passes. It’s a natural partnership.”
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“As the official non-profit partner with the National Park Service, we are excited to team up with the Western Energy Alliance in an effort to support our national parks,” said Joette Langianese, executive director at Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks. “The national parks of southeastern Utah are facing many challenges from lack of funding to increased visitation. The Restore Our Parks Act is a significant step toward ensuring that our national parks will continue provide enjoyment for the future generations to come. Please visit our web page at www.foacp.org to learn about our projects and programs.”

Canyonlands National Park was created in September 12, 1964. In 2018, 739,449 people visited the park, a 70 percent increase over a decade.

Funds will go directly to the non-profit Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks, the charitable organization that helps protect Canyonlands. The park faces $40.1 million in outstanding repairs for trails, campgrounds, visitor centers and other projects, yet has an annual budget of only $6.4 million.
The campaign is designed not only to raise funds for one beloved park, but also to raise awareness of a more permanent solution to the $12 billion outstanding backlog of maintenance projects across all national parks. The Restore Our Parks bills (S. 500 and H.R. 1225) would direct $1.3 billion in annual revenues from energy produced on nonpark, non-wilderness public lands to reduce that backlog.