Hello Everyone,
Here we are in the second month of 2024—already! It feels like January passed in the blink of an eye. Closing out 2023, I was blessed to spend some time at our Arizona parks, attending both La Fiesta de Tumacácori at Tumacácori National Historical Park and the Luminaria event at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site. The staff at Hubbell Trading Post was so warm and welcoming.
I want to thank Trader Wallace James Jr, Park Store Manager Brigid Yazzie, Assistant Park Store Manager Paul Tso, Weaver Tonita Yazzie, Data Entry Assistant Wyndolyn Atakai, and Year-Round Sales and Information Associates Charletta Yazzie and T’Linn George. Events like the Luminaria are special because of the spirit of collaboration and community this team inspires. I loved seeing the community come out, celebrate, and support the parks and one another. I also enjoyed spending time with Mindi Gusman, operations manager, and members of the Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle National Monuments teams: Assistant Park Store Manager Kathy Phelps, and Sales and Information Associates Anne Clemons, Andrea Hightower, and Konrad Szelock.
And now for some important updates!
Holiday Celebrations and Events
Our partner parks are places of historical and natural significance, but they are also places for communities to gather and celebrate. With many parks hosting special holiday events, community members and visitors alike came together in beautiful places like Aztec Ruins National Monument, Bandelier National Monument, Fort Larned National Historic Site, Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Tonto National Monument, Tumacácori National Historical Park, and more. These events are part of what makes our partner parks so special.
Making Connections
WNPA staff supported the Tonto Luminaria event. Visitors and community members had the opportunity to hike the Lower Cliff Dwelling Trail with glimmering luminara lighting the way. An International Dark Sky Park, Tonto National Monument is truly a spectacular park to visit in the evening. This annual event is free and open to the public.
Literacy Connects Book Drive
WNPA hosted the annual Literacy Connects Book Drive in park stores and online. Over the years, WNPA has partnered with Literacy Connects to help facilitate the donation of thousands of books to families and children. Literacy Connects is a nonprofit organization dedicated to “connecting people of all ages to a world of opportunities through literacy and creative expression.” Thank you to everyone who donated a book to this important cause!
End-of-Year Appeal Update: Empowering Parks
A huge thank you to everyone who supported the Empowering Parks appeal campaign. This campaign was a group effort and truly demonstrates the power of collaboration. From the operations managers and field staff who help facilitate programming at the parks to the Home Office staff who help tell the stories and nurture relationships with donors, every person has a part to play in advancing our mission to enhance the national park experience, today and for always!
Become a Park Protector!
Join WNPA’s Park Protector program and become a member of a community of advocates helping support and protect national parks!
By supporting WNPA, you are helping to protect parks for all time. Supporters like you help to make this important work possible.