National Park Service Increases its Fund Raising

Responding to a reality that has seen the National Park Service reduce its services and programs, the federal agency plans to increase its reliance on private philanthropists, reports the Associated Press.

Fund raising is a high priority as the agency approaches its 100th anniversary in 2016, says Mary Bomar, its director. As recently as 10 years ago, the park service’s budget was covered by federal money. But private money now accounts for about 12 percent of the agency’s budget, the news agency reports.

Some observers have raised concerns over this trend, especially in 2004 when the agency proposed allowing donors’ names to be placed on rooms, benches, and bricks at national parks. Such proposals were later rejected.