activities · 29
what they do
direct service · 21
- Deliver in-person educational programs and public events Guided Environmental Field TripsHosts ranger-led and volunteer-led educational walks, talks, and workshops on topics including desert ecology, local geology, Ancestral Puebloans, military history, bat behavior, stargazing, solar viewing, and Native American art. These occur at park sites and include special events like the Bat Flight Program and birdwatching excursions.
- Hiker Transportation ServicesProvides daily transportation for hikers from Faraway Ranch to Massai Point or Echo Canyon, enabling return hikes of 5.7 or 9 miles.
- Host public outreach events at festivals and community gatherings Public Environmental Events & OutreachOrganizes and participates in public events such as The National Park Experience Pavilion at the Tucson Festival of Books, featuring author talks, panel discussions, educational activities, and retail tents for The National Parks Store and Hubbell Trading Post to promote awareness and engagement with national parks.
- National Park Awareness and Accessibility Initiatives National Park Recognition & Awareness ProgramsWorks to increase public awareness of lesser-known sites within the National Park System, promotes inclusivity and accessibility in national parks, and annually recognizes individuals and organizations contributing to these goals.
- National Park Awareness and Accessibility Initiatives National Park Recognition & Awareness ProgramsWorks to increase public awareness of lesser-known sites within the National Park System, engages with communities to promote inclusivity and accessibility, and annually recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to park awareness, research, education, and accessibility.
- National Park Educational Programs and Events Guided Environmental Field TripsOffers a variety of educational programs and events, including in-person presentations by travelers, volunteer-led hikes, ranger-led talks, hands-on workshops, and specialized events like birdwatching, solar viewing, and bat flight programs, to educate the public about national parks' natural and cultural history.
- National Park Educational Programs and Events Guided Environmental Field TripsProvides educational products, programs, and services about the natural and cultural history of national parks, including in-person presentations, ranger-led talks, guided hikes, workshops, and special events like solar viewing and bat flight programs.
- National Park Publishing Program Park-Focused Educational PublishingProduces thoroughly researched, well-written, and visually designed publications about national parks, including cookbooks, children's books, travel guides, trail guides, and reference materials, supporting over 70 partner parks.
- National Park Publishing Program Park-Focused Educational PublishingProduces and offers thoroughly researched and visually designed publications, including cookbooks, children's books, travel guides, trail guides, and reference materials, to educate the public about national parks.
- National Park Retail Operations Nonprofit Retail Operations in Cultural and Natural SitesOperates retail stores in national park visitor centers, an online store, and a flagship store in Tucson, offering educational exhibits, park-specific merchandise, books, and authentic Native American and Southwestern crafts to enhance visitor experience and support park awareness.
- National Park Retail Operations Nonprofit Retail Operations in Cultural and Natural SitesOperates retail stores in national park visitor centers, an online store, and a retail store in Tucson, offering educational exhibits, park-specific merchandise, books, apparel, and authentic Native American crafts, including the historic Hubbell Trading Post.
- National Park Transportation ServicesProvides daily transportation for hikers from Faraway Ranch to Massai Point or Echo Canyon, enabling return hikes of 5.7 or 9 miles within national park areas.
- Operate retail stores and online sales supporting national parks Nonprofit Retail Operations in Cultural and Natural SitesRuns physical retail stores in national park visitor centers, including Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado, AZ, and a store in Tucson, AZ, as well as an online store, offering park-specific merchandise, educational materials, authentic Native American crafts, Southwestern food and gifts, and collectibles to support public engagement and park funding.
- Operating Retail Stores and Online Sales Nonprofit Retail Operations in Cultural and Natural SitesOperates retail stores in national park visitor centers, a store in Tucson, and an online store, offering educational exhibits, park-specific merchandise, books, and authentic Native American crafts and art to enhance visitor experience and promote national parks.
- Produce and distribute educational publications about national parks Park-Focused Educational PublishingCreates and publishes thoroughly researched, well-written, and visually designed books and educational materials, including cookbooks, children's books, travel and trail guides, and reference works, focused on national parks and Southwestern cultures. These are distributed through an online store and retail outlets serving over 70 partner parks.
- Promote public awareness and inclusivity in national parks National Park Recognition & Awareness ProgramsWorks to increase public awareness of lesser-known national park sites and engages communities to promote inclusivity, accessibility, and educational programming for diverse audiences.
- Promoting Awareness and Accessibility of National Parks National Park Recognition & Awareness ProgramsWorks to increase public awareness of national parks, including lesser-known sites, and promotes inclusivity and accessibility in national parks, recognizing individuals and organizations for their contributions to these efforts.
- Provide visitor transportation services in national parksOffers daily transportation for hikers between key locations such as Faraway Ranch and Massai Point or Echo Canyon, enabling access to trailheads and return hikes of 5.7 or 9 miles.
- Providing Educational Programs and Services Guided Environmental Field TripsProvides a variety of educational products, programs, and services about the natural and cultural history of national parks, including in-person presentations, ranger-led talks, guided hikes, workshops, and special events like solar viewing and bat flight programs.
- Publishing Educational Materials Park-Focused Educational PublishingProduces and publishes thoroughly researched, well-written, and visually designed publications about national parks, including cookbooks, children's books, travel guides, trail guides, and reference materials, supporting over 70 partner parks.
- Recognize contributions to national park awareness and accessibility National Park Recognition & Awareness ProgramsAnnually honors individuals and organizations that advance national park education, research, accessibility, and public awareness through formal recognition programs.
research · 4
- Conduct scientific and cultural research in national parks Archaeological Field Research & AnalysisSupports and conducts research projects including archeological surveys, erosion control studies, oral history recordings, and endangered wildlife reintroductions to preserve and understand park resources.
- Conducting Research Projects Archaeological Field Research & AnalysisConducts various research projects including archeological surveys, erosion control studies, oral history recordings, and endangered wildlife reintroductions.
- National Park Research Projects Archaeological Field Research & AnalysisConducts research projects including archeological surveys, erosion control studies, oral history recordings, and endangered wildlife reintroductions to support the understanding and preservation of national parks.
- National Park Research Projects Archaeological Field Research & AnalysisConducts research projects including archeological surveys, erosion control studies, oral history recordings, and endangered wildlife reintroductions to support national park conservation and understanding.
capacity building · 4
- Financial and Operational Support for National Parks Fundraising for Trail & Park MaintenanceProvides financial aid, staff, and volunteers to over 70 partner national park sites, having contributed over $176 million since 1938, and collaborates with researchers and scholars to support park operations and initiatives.
- Financial and Volunteer Support for National Parks Fundraising for Trail & Park MaintenanceSupports national parks through financial aid, providing over $176 million to park sites since 1938, and by engaging staff and volunteers, offering training and recognition for their commitment.
- Manage volunteer program for park and organizational support Library Volunteer CoordinationRecruits, trains, and issues badges to volunteers who support operations at park stores and WNP headquarters, building capacity through community engagement and service.
- Provide long-term financial and operational support to national parks Fundraising for Trail & Park MaintenanceHas contributed over $176 million in financial aid to national park sites since 1938 and supports parks through sustained collaboration with staff, volunteers, donors, researchers, and scholars.
strategies · 24
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Collaborative Stewardship for Park Support collaborative stewardshipThe organization supports national parks by engaging a diverse group of stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, donors, and academic researchers, all motivated by a shared commitment to the stewardship of natural and recreational resources.
- Collaborative publishing for park support and education collaborative publishingThe organization collaborates with the National Park Service to develop educational and engaging publications that reflect the diversity of partner parks, thereby generating support for these parks.
- Community and collaborative stewardship for park support community_engagementThe organization fosters a sense of shared ownership and belonging in national parks through community engagement and collaborative efforts involving staff, volunteers, donors, and researchers, all motivated by stewardship of natural and recreational resources.
- Community engagement for shared ownership and stewardship community_engagementThe organization engages communities to foster a sense of shared ownership and belonging in national parks, and supports parks through collaborative engagement of various stakeholders motivated by stewardship of natural and recreational resources.
- Experiential and interpretive learning through guided programs experiential learningThe organization provides educational experiences through volunteer-led hikes and ranger-led walks, and offers hands-on workshops to teach about cultural and natural resources, thereby deepening public understanding and appreciation.
- Experiential learning through guided interpretation and workshops experiential learningThe organization provides educational experiences through volunteer-led hikes, ranger-led walks, and hands-on workshops to teach about local geology, history, flora, and traditional arts, fostering deeper understanding and engagement.
- Fostering advocacy and stewardship through park education and engagement education-for-advocacyThe organization uses park education, visitor experiences, and community engagement to foster emotional connection, a sense of shared ownership, and long-term advocacy and stewardship for national parks. This includes creating products, programs, and services to enhance visitor experiences and engaging diverse audiences through festivals and interactive activities.
- Fostering advocacy through park education and visitor experience education-for-advocacyThe organization uses park education, visitor experiences, and engaging products/programs/services to create emotional connections with national parks, thereby fostering public appreciation, long-term advocacy, and support for park protection.
- Fostering advocacy through park education and visitor experiences education-for-advocacyThe organization uses park education and enhanced visitor experiences to cultivate emotional connections with national parks, aiming to inspire long-term advocacy and support for their preservation.
- Fostering park advocacy through education and engagement education-for-advocacyThe organization uses educational programs, visitor experiences, and community engagement to cultivate emotional connections and a sense of shared ownership, leading to long-term advocacy and support for national parks.
- Leveraging research and citizen science for park management and public engagement research-for-managementThe organization conducts research to support the management, preservation, and interpretation of national parks, and engages the public in this research through citizen science programs involving interns and volunteers.
- Public Engagement through Experiential Learning and Recognition public_engagement_through_festivalsThe organization engages diverse audiences and promotes national park awareness through public festivals, interactive educational activities, and recognition programs for external contributors, including citizen science initiatives and volunteer-led educational experiences.
- Public engagement through diverse educational programs public_engagement_through_festivalsThe organization engages diverse audiences in learning about national parks through various educational activities, including public festivals, interactive pavilions, author events, family-friendly programming, volunteer-led hikes, ranger-led walks, and hands-on workshops.
- Public engagement through educational events and festivals public_engagement_through_festivalsThe organization uses public festivals, interactive pavilions, and various educational activities (including author events and family-friendly programming) to engage diverse audiences in learning about national parks.
- Publishing to generate support and educate about parks publishing-for-park-supportThe organization uses a publishing program, often in collaboration with the National Park Service, to generate support for partner national parks and to develop educational and engaging publications that reflect the diversity of these parks.
- Publishing to support and educate about national parks publishing-for-park-supportThe organization uses a publishing program, often in collaboration with the National Park Service, to generate support for partner national parks and to develop educational and engaging publications that reflect the diversity of these parks.
- Recognizing external contributors to broaden park relevance recognition_programs_for_external_contributorsThe organization recognizes external contributors as a strategy to promote national park awareness, support research, enhance public engagement through education, and broaden park relevance across diverse communities.
- Research and citizen science for park management and public engagement research-for-managementThe organization conducts research to support the management, preservation, and interpretation of national parks, and engages the public in this research through citizen science programs involving interns and volunteers.
- Research for Park Management and Interpretation research-for-managementThe organization conducts research to provide essential support for the effective management, preservation, and interpretation of national parks.
- Research for park management and public engagement research-for-managementThe organization conducts research to support the management, preservation, and interpretation of national parks, and engages the public in this research through citizen science programs involving interns and volunteers.
- Retail and Publishing as Educational and Fundraising Tools retail-as-educationThe organization leverages its retail operations and publishing program to serve as educational and cultural destinations, engaging the public with national parks and Southwestern cultures, while simultaneously generating revenue to fund park programs and operations.
- Retail as an educational and revenue-generating mechanism retail-as-educationThe organization utilizes retail stores and merchandise as educational and cultural destinations to engage the public with Southwestern cultures and national parks, deepening visitor understanding of park history, culture, and natural environments. The revenue generated from these retail sales is then used to fund programs and support operations in national parks.
- Retail as an educational and revenue-generating mechanism retail-as-educationThe organization utilizes retail stores and merchandise as educational and cultural destinations to engage the public with Southwestern cultures and national parks, while also generating revenue to fund programs and support operations in partner parks.
- Retail as an educational and revenue-generating mechanism retail-as-educationThe organization utilizes its retail stores and publishing program as educational and cultural destinations to engage the public with Southwestern cultures and national parks. Retail sales revenue is then used to fund programs and support operations in national parks, while merchandise and exhibits deepen visitor understanding of park history, culture, and natural environments.
named programs · 10
what they call their work
Awards, Grants & Scholarships
Honors individuals and organizations for their contributions to national parks, research, public engagement, and making parks accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.
Community Engagement
Engages with communities to raise awareness about national parks, especially lesser-known sites, and ensure all citizens feel welcome to experience them.
Community Engagement and Education
Hosts events like the National Park Experience Pavilion at the Tucson Festival of Books, educational presentations, and volunteer-led programs to connect the public with national parks
Educational Programs and Services
Develops and delivers educational products, programs, and services to teach people about national parks' natural and cultural history, aiming to inspire park advocacy.
Park Research and Preservation
Funds scientific, historical, and social science research projects such as archaeological surveys, erosion control studies, oral histories, and endangered species reintroduction across partner parks
Publishing Program
Produces award-winning educational publications including books about parks, cookbooks, children’s books, travel and trail guides, and reference titles, many created in collaboration with the National Park Service
Research Funding
Funds scientific, historical, and social science research in national parks, covering topics from archeological surveys to reintroducing endangered wildlife, often involving interns and citizen scientists.
Retail Operations
Operates retail stores in national park visitor centers, an online store, and specialty retail locations including Hubbell Trading Post and The National Parks Store in Tucson, offering educational and cultural products that support park experiences
The National Park Experience Pavilion at Tucson Festival of Books
Hosts a pavilion at the Tucson Festival of Books featuring authors, panelists, activities, and shopping opportunities to connect people with national parks.
Volunteer Program
Recruits and trains volunteers for assignments in park stores and administrative roles, supporting operations and visitor services
relationships · 11
who they work with
- 70+ partner parks Partner — Collaborates with over 70 national park sites to enhance visitor experiences and provide support.
- 70+ partner parks Partner — Network of national parks supported through publishing program
- Bureau of Land Management Government — Co-hosts Junior Ranger Day events with the Bureau of Land Management at El Malpais.
- Hubbell Trading Post Partner — WNP operates Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado, Arizona, preserving its role as a historic trading post and retail outlet for Native American crafts.
- National Park Service Government — Collaborates with the National Park Service through programming and public engagement initiatives.
- National Park Service Government — Collaborates with the National Park Service to host educational and interpretive programs.
- National Park Service Government — Collaborates with the National Park Service to support research and preservation in partner parks.
- National Park Service Partner — Collaborates on the creation of books and publications about national parks.
- National Park Service Partner — Partnership supporting national parks through collaborative programs and services.
- Tucson Festival of Books Partner — Collaborates with the Tucson Festival of Books to host The National Park Experience Pavilion.
- Western National Parks Association Partner — Receives volunteer applications and coordinates placements with WNP.