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WESTERN NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION

TUCSON, AZ · EIN 860107049 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE N32Z · Recreation & Sports · Large ($10M-$50M) · www.wnpa.org
revenue
$13.2M
expenses
$10.5M
net assets
$18.4M
employees
181
volunteers
32
program ratio
94%
mission · from form 990

WNPA ADVANCES EDUCATION, INTERPRETATION, RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN NATIONAL PARKS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Western National Parks Association (WNPA) is an operational nonprofit that supports over 70 national park sites across the American West. It enhances the visitor experience through educational programs, retail operations, and publishing, and funds research and preservation efforts. Since 1938, WNPA has provided over $176 million in aid to national park sites.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $766K
    COMMUNITY PROGRAMS - SEE SCHEDULE O
  2. #2 $756K
    GRANTS AND DONATIONS TO PARK PARTNERS - SEE SCHEDULE O
named programs · 10 · from sources

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
activities · 9 groups

what they do

  • Public Engagement & Recognition Programs 6 activities
    • National Park Awareness and Accessibility Initiatives
      Works 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
      Works 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.
    • Promote public awareness and inclusivity in national parks
      Works 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
      Works to increase public awareness of national parks, including lesser-known sites, and engages with communities to promote inclusivity and accessibility, recognizing individuals and organizations for their contributions.
    • Promoting Awareness and Accessibility of National Parks
      Works 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.
    • Recognize contributions to national park awareness and accessibility
      Annually honors individuals and organizations that advance national park education, research, accessibility, and public awareness through formal recognition programs.
  • Scientific Research & Monitoring 5 activities
    • Conduct scientific and cultural research in national parks
      Supports 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
      Conducts various research projects, including archeological surveys, erosion control studies, oral history recordings, and endangered wildlife reintroductions.
    • Conducting Research Projects
      Conducts various research projects including archeological surveys, erosion control studies, oral history recordings, and endangered wildlife reintroductions.
    • National Park Research Projects
      Conducts 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
      Conducts research projects including archeological surveys, erosion control studies, oral history recordings, and endangered wildlife reintroductions to support national park conservation and understanding.
  • Nature-Based Environmental Education Programs 5 activities
    • Deliver in-person educational programs and public events
      Hosts 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.
    • National Park Educational Programs and Events
      Offers 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
      Provides 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.
    • Providing Educational Programs and Services
      Provides 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.
    • Providing Educational Programs and Services
      Provides a variety of educational products, programs, and services about the natural and cultural history of national parks, including in-person presentations, ranger-led talks and walks, hands-on workshops, and special events like birdwatching and stargazing.
  • Park and Cultural Heritage Publishing 5 activities
    • National Park Publishing Program
      Produces 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
      Produces 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.
    • Produce and distribute educational publications about national parks
      Creates 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.
    • Publishing Educational Materials
      Produces and publishes thoroughly researched, well-written, and visually designed publications about national parks, including cookbooks, children's books, travel guides, and reference materials, supporting over 70 partner parks.
    • Publishing Educational Materials
      Produces 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.
  • Visitor-Facing Educational Retail Operations 5 activities
    • National Park Retail Operations
      Operates 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
      Operates 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.
    • Operate retail stores and online sales supporting national parks
      Runs 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
      Operates 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 to enhance visitor experience and promote national parks.
    • Operating Retail Stores and Online Sales
      Operates 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.
  • National Park Support Services 4 activities
    • Financial and Operational Support for National Parks
      Provides 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
      Supports 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.
    • Financial and Volunteer Support for National Parks
      Supports 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.
    • Provide long-term financial and operational support to national parks
      Has 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.
  • Trail Access Facilitation & Transportation 4 activities
    • Hiker Transportation Services
      Provides daily transportation for hikers from Faraway Ranch to Massai Point or Echo Canyon, enabling return hikes of 5.7 or 9 miles.
    • National Park Transportation Services
      Provides 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.
    • Provide visitor transportation services in national parks
      Offers 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 Transportation for Hikers
      Provides daily transportation for hikers from Faraway Ranch to Massai Point or Echo Canyon, facilitating return hikes of 5.7 or 9 miles.
  • Library and Donated Goods Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
    • Manage volunteer program for park and organizational support
      Recruits, trains, and issues badges to volunteers who support operations at park stores and WNP headquarters, building capacity through community engagement and service.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Host public outreach events at festivals and community gatherings
      Organizes 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.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$13.18M
Contributions & grants$238K2%
Program service revenue$169K1%
Investment income$22K0%
Other revenue$12.75M
expenses
Total expenses$10.45M
Program expenses94%
Admin / overhead3%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$7.48M
Grants paid out$628K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$19.47M
Cash$9.66M
Investments$983K
Liabilities$1.10M
Net assets$18.37M
Liquid reserves12.2 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +24.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 4
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JAMES E COOK CEO - RETIRED 7/12/2022 40 $193K
CHRISTINE L HORVATH CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40 $162K
LAUREN MOONEY CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER 40 $143K
DILLON M NAKATA CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 40 $136K
board members · 17
  • BOB SHOPNECK — BOARD MEMBER
  • CHRIS MONSON — BOARD MEMBER
  • CHRYSTAL MORRIS MURPHY — BOARD MEMBER
  • CLAIRE CAMPBELL — BOARD MEMBER
  • DAN KIMBALL — SECRETARY
  • HOWARD LEVITT — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOHN KOPROWSKI — BOARD MEMBER
  • JULIA JENNESS — VICE-CHAIR
  • KINDLEY WALSH LAWLOR — BOARD MEMBER
  • LES COREY — CHAIRMAN
  • LINDA HARVEY — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARIE BUCK — CEO - AS OF 7/11/2022
  • MARILYN ALKIRE — TREASURER
  • PATTY CAROCCI — BOARD MEMBER
  • RACHEL LIGTENBERG — BOARD MEMBER
  • STACY LAMBATOS — BOARD MEMBER
  • TSIANINA LOMAWAIMA — BOARD MEMBER - RESIGNED 12/7/2021
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.