D \ merica’s Parks Help Our Heritage (NAPSA)—National parks are an integral part of America’s heritage, but with budget cuts and external environmental threats, parks have hadto provide creative solutions for future protection. One way parks have succeeded is through public and private partnerships. They are critical component of managing and protecting parks, and are already in place at Yellowstone, Acadia and Yosemite National Parks. Photo credit: Gary Roth wrenceHalprin. for the Office of Americansarefalling for the natural beauty of this nation’s parks—and contributing to projects that help them keep up the good work. At Yosemite, the largest public/private partnership project is about to debut. The completion of the 10-year, $13.5 million restoration of Yosemite Falls is a result of two passionate partners working together: The Yosemite Fund and the National Park Service. The restoration showcases the area’s natural beauty, improves views of North America’s tallest waterfall, provides unobtrusivevisitor amenities and—for thefirst time—provides access to the Falls’ viewing area for the disabled. In addition to the Falls project, the Fund also helped restore Glacier Point, Happy Isles and the Half Dome Trail steps. Over the years, The Yosemite Fundhas provided more than $32 million in funds to help preserve Yosemite National Park. Visitors can continue to help by contacting organizations such as The Fund at www.yosemitefund.org. With such partnerships, America’s national parks will continue to delight visitors for years to come.
