Today, the National Park Service announced the recipients of the 2014 Director’s Partnership Awards, which recognize the most significant accomplishments achieved by parks and outside groups working together on projects, programs, and commemorative events that provide lasting benefits for parks and communities.

“These incredibly dedicated partners have raised the bar for cooperation and support of our country’s natural and cultural heritage,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “Their extraordinary contributions enhance the national park experience, and particularly as we look ahead to the National Park Service’s centennial in 2016, they expand and amplify our efforts to reach a new generation of Americans.”

Throughout the country, there are more than 250 formal partnerships that support the National Park Service.  Following are the recipients of this year’s awards:

• California: The Yosemite Conservancy is recognized for its many long-lasting contributions to Yosemite National Park, including habitat restoration, historic preservation, youth engagement, visitor services, and wildlife research and management.
• Colorado: The Geological Society of America, GeoCorps America, GeoScientists-in-the Parks and Mosaics in Science Internship programs has, since 1996, partnered with the  National Park Service to place more than 800 student interns, diversity interns, and guest scientists into positions in parks and offices where they conduct research, Geographical Information Systems mapping, and geoscience inventorying and monitoring.
• Georgia: Friends of Andersonville and American Ex-Prisoners of War collaborated with Andersonville National Historic Site to develop the “Victory from Within: The American Prisoner of War Experience” traveling exhibit.  The exhibit travels to museums, libraries and universities to introduce people to the Prisoner of War experience.
• Ohio: The Perry Group, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Region 4-1, the Village of Put-In-Bay, the Put-In-Bay Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, Artrain, Lake Erie Shores and Islands, the Lake Erie Heritage Foundation, and Parks Canada – Newfoundland East Park Unit joined forces with Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial to bring the history of the Battle of Lake Erie and the War of 1812 to life during the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 and the Bicentennial of the Battle of Lake Erie.
• Pennsylvania: The Gettysburg Foundation recently celebrated their 25th Anniversary.  Their partnership with Gettysburg National Military Park and the Eisenhower National Historic Site has enabled the rehabilitation of the battlefield at Gettysburg National Military Park; the acquisition and conservation of historic artifacts, the development of educational materials, programs and exhibits, and the building of the Gettysburg Museum of the Civil War.
• Texas: Los Compadres de San Antonio Missions National Historical Park has, for 30 years, provided financial and volunteer support to restore and preserve the historic legacy and architectural integrity of the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission San José, Mission Concepción, and Mission Espada.
• Texas: The San Antonio River Authority, Bexar County, City of San Antonio, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered with the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park to complete a large scale project that resulted in the ecological restoration of the San Antonio River and enhanced recreational opportunities for San Antonio citizens and park visitors.
• Washington: The Student Conservation Association Community Crews, Seattle Office partners with Mount Rainier National Park to provide high school students with a continuum of park and community experiences that will ultimately foster a lifetime commitment to conservation and stewardship.

Contact

Kathy Kupper, Kathy_Kupper@nps.gov, 202-208-6843

Logo courtesy National Park Service