About
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C., that describes itself as "the voice of America's national parks, working to protect and preserve our nation's most iconic and inspirational places for present and future generations." With more than 1.9 million members and supporters and 27 regional offices nationwide, NPCA celebrates the parks — and works to defend them — on the ground, in the courtroom, and on Capitol Hill.
Mission
NPCA works to strengthen and protect America's national parks. Its program and policy experts, committed volunteers, staff lobbyists, community organizers, and communications specialists inform the public and influence decision makers on behalf of the National Park System.
What they do
- Advocacy and policy — lobbying Congress and federal agencies on park funding, landscape protection, and visitor experience.
- Litigation — going to court to defend parks from harmful development and policy decisions.
- Issue campaigns — programs addressing air quality, climate change, energy development, history and culture preservation, water protection and restoration, and wildlife protection.
- Community organizing and education — mobilizing volunteers and supporters through regional offices across the country.
History
NPCA was established as the National Parks Association on May 19, 1919, at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C., by six founders led by Robert Sterling Yard, including sculptor Henry Kirke Bush-Brown, archaeologist William Henry Holmes, and paleontologist Charles Doolittle Wolcott. Yard shared with Stephen Tyng Mather a vision of "both an agency to unify and manage the nation's growing number of parks and an independent organization of informed citizens to be their voice." Within months the new association took up its first issue, protecting Yellowstone's elk, and in 1921 it helped defeat a proposed dam on the Yellowstone River near Yellowstone Lake. The association was instrumental in passage of the Everglades Act of 1934, which led to Everglades National Park; later milestones include the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, which doubled the acreage of the park system, a legal ruling keeping nearly all national parks off-limits to hunting, and the establishment of parks including Great Basin and Tallgrass Prairie. The organization marked its centennial with A Century of Impact, a 192-page book celebrating its first 100 years.
Scale and impact
NPCA counts more than 1.9 million members and supporters, with national headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 27 regional offices. Current campaigns include opposing mining claims near Bears Ears and a proposed development in Grand Teton National Park.
Financials
According to IRS Form 990 data on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN 53-0225165), for the fiscal year ending June 2025 NPCA reported total revenue of 51.6 million dollars, total expenses of 49.3 million dollars, and net assets of 60.1 million dollars. Contributions accounted for about 90.5 percent of revenue. The IRS granted the organization tax exemption in February 1959.
Governance
Theresa Pierno serves as President and CEO, per the organization's IRS filings. NPCA is governed by a Board of Trustees and also maintains a Next Generation Advisory Council.