{"id":84462,"date":"2025-06-10T02:47:56","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T16:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=84462"},"modified":"2025-07-08T02:21:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T16:21:30","slug":"protect-us-national-parks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/protect-us-national-parks\/","title":{"rendered":"Our US national parks need protection: Here\u2019s why Intrepid is stepping up\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An open letter to our community.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Intrepid, we believe in one simple idea: travel can be a force for good. That\u2019s why we\u2019re stepping up to help protect one of America\u2019s greatest treasures \u2013 our national parks. Today we\u2019re launching United by Nature \u2013 an advocacy campaign to raise awareness, inspire responsible travel and fund real conservation work across the US national parks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right now, these incredible places are under threat. The US government is proposing more major funding cuts that could hurt more than 75 per cent of the wild spaces we love \u2013 from additional job losses and trail closures to damaged habitats and under-resourced rangers. Parks like Yellowstone, Zion and the Grand Canyon may never look the same again.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t think that\u2019s right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Intrepid hikers in Zion National Park, Utah<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

These parks are more than just pretty places. They\u2019re sacred lands, home to endangered wildlife, Indigenous history and the stories of generations. They also welcomed over 331 million visits<\/a> last year and generated $26 billion<\/a> for local communities. In other words: they matter \u2013 to people, to the planet and to the future of travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a tourism company, if we don\u2019t have healthy, thriving national parks, we don’t have a business here. About 80 per cent of our customers in the United States<\/a> will visit a national park. Over the years, Intrepid has taken over 20,000 travelers through US national parks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most powerful thing that we can do at Intrepid is get people out into these places to experience them. Here\u2019s what we\u2019re doing \u2013 and how you can help: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Responsible visitation<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The most impactful thing we can all do right now is visit national parks responsibly<\/a>.\u00a0Showing up for these essential and iconic wilderness areas is a clear signal that Americans value the parks and everything they offer. It doesn\u2019t matter how you go \u2013 whether it\u2019s alone or on a guided trip \u2013 just go responsibly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve launched a range of \u2018Active-ism\u2019 trips<\/a> you can book now.<\/strong> These new experiences combine adventure with advocacy, hosted by US-based climate activists and Intrepid leaders, offering unique insight into the challenges facing the parks \u2013 and how to advocate for their future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Sign the petition<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recent legislation passed by the House would slash funding for the National Park Service, which is already operating with 16 per cent fewer staff than before. Our parks can\u2019t afford more cuts. The National Parks Conservation Association has organized a petition. I’ve signed it and encourage you to sign it as well<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Funding and philanthropy<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Intrepid has pledged to donate $50K to conservation partners through The Intrepid Foundation<\/a> \u2014 and will introduce several fundraising initiatives. In October, a group of Intrepid travelers and supporters will take on the legendary Rim-to-Rim Grand Canyon trek, raising up to $100K <\/strong>to support the Grand Canyon Conservancy.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous NGOs supporting national parks. Find your cause and consider supporting it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Informed action<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We believe in education and awareness, which is why Adventure.com<\/a>, one of the world\u2019s leading voices in adventure and the outdoors (and which is also powered by Intrepid), is investing in a dedicated reporter to cover national park stories this summer. I’m proud to be funding this work to help bring greater focus and accountability to what is happening in America\u2019s national parks.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re also supporting more creators, journalists and influencers to visit the parks and use their platforms for good. Their stories will reach more people \u2013 more Intrepid people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It takes all of us<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These are some of the ways that we\u2019re stepping up, but the truth is, we all have the ability to protect and preserve nature. It\u2019s going to take our collective effort to truly make an impact. We need to be United by Nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you\u2019re a traveler who loves an outdoor adventure, I urge you to consider the ways you can show up for US national parks. Visit, donate or engage , together we can protect the future of the parks.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leigh Barnes is Intrepid’s president of the Americas and calls Seattle home. Show your support for our parks on a range of Intrepid trips that visit national parks<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n

Visit a national park<\/h2>
Zion Glamping Adventure<\/a><\/div>
4 days<\/span><\/div>
View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Hiking in Yosemite National Park<\/a><\/div>
6 days<\/span><\/div>
View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Adventure<\/a><\/div>
6 days<\/span><\/div>
View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We’re calling on our community to join our campaign for the protection and preservation of US national parks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16385,"featured_media":84473,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3105],"tags":[5,1183,874,423,3182,482,69,1264],"class_list":["post-84462","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-good-ideas","tag-active","tag-active-adventures","tag-national-parks","tag-north-america","tag-purpose","tag-responsible-business","tag-united-states","tag-us-national-parks","ipf_theme-walking-trekking","ipf_region-united-states"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nIntrepid is 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