The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) was founded in 1919 for the defense, promotion, and improvement of the United States' national park system and the education of the general public regarding national parks. Throughout its history, the NPCA has worked toward a three-fold goal: to save the parks from exploitation, pollution, and degradation of their natural resources; to facilitate easy access to the national parks for all Americans; and to preserve the great variety of wildlife found within the boundaries of the parks.

With a membership of 280,000—including both individuals and organizations—the NPCA boasts considerable political influence and is particularly effective in organizing ground swell support. Members are kept informed of political, environmental, and other issues through National Parks, the official NPCA publication. The magazine also contains articles of interest on state parks, international public lands, and matters of general...