Friends for Parks and Public Lands

A voluntary association of friends, advocates and others
in the private sector dedicated to preserving parks and other public lands.
INTRODUCTION
Friends for Parks and Public Lands is an emerging voluntary association of private citizens, citizen-led groups, and grassroots organizations working on behalf of urban, state, national and international parks, forests, historic and cultural sites and wilderness areas. Friends was organized for the express purpose of elevating grassroots perspectives on national and international policy issues, and fostering mutual exchange and joint endeavor.
THE CONTEXT
Private citizens are increasingly called upon to protect and support natural, cultural and historic areas world-wide through service, advocacy and charitable giving. Sharp increases in recreational use of these areas, and gradual reductions in government allocations have placed new pressures for private sector involvement and support. The potential of joint endeavor between the public and private sectors captures the imagination and presents a compelling opportunity to pursue common goals while working vigorously to transform natural differences into unique and diverse strengths. To meet this challenge, government officials and national organizations must provide strategic leadership in a multi-disciplinary approach to policy and vision without dampening or over-directing the genuine and spontaneous grassroots enthusiasm for helping parks. Mobilizing the dynamic energy of public support can best be accomplished through an authentic partnership between parks, national leaders and people.

GOALS
  • To cultivate and unify citizen support of parks, forests, and other public lands units held in the public trust.
  • To broaden public appreciation for these special places and accelerate grassroots innovation and community support.
  • To promote communication, synergy and balance between government and the private sector
  • To recognize excellence, foster a sense of community, and stimulate new vitality and momentum in the citizen support movement.
METHODS
  • Promote mutual self-help and capacity-building through an extensive database and directory of a wide range of groups and individuals involved in park support, lands protection and conservancy, and advocacy activities.
  • Broaden public awareness and involvement on issues, threats and intrusions on parks through united national media campaigns, internet dialogue and through a more comprehensive exchange of information.
  • Organize regional and national conferences and state-wide meetings aimed at bringing citizen leaders and park officials together with experts in the fields of nonprofit leadership and public-private partnership.
  • Organize networking sessions for peer training and assistance, aimed at increasing volunteerism and citizen leadership, as well as professionalizing organizational management.
ADMINISTRATION

Friends is a self-directed voluntary association of private citizens, park support organizations and others working at the grassroots to support and protect parks and other natural, cultural and historic areas. The founding pillar of Friends is to give representation to the needs, concerns and efforts of the private and nonprofit sectors to preserve parks and public lands.

For more information about Friends and to join in helping to shape the future of citizen involvement in preserving our national heritage, please contact us and clip and return email this coupon TODAY. By joining forces through cooperation and information networking, we can shape the future of parks and public lands--America’s great places!

Vera Holland Guise                                                         Ken Fitch
Grassroots Office:                                                          National Office:
PO Box 53                                                                      2565 Broadway, PMB 373
Arden, N. C. 28704                                                        New York, NY 10025-5657
Telephone: 828.687.0192                                             Telephone: 212-663-4024
Fax: 828.687.0161                                                        Email: PrksRus@aol.com
Email: GRActivism@aol.com                                            
Web address: https://www.parksonline.org/fppl.html