Air pollution is among the most serious threats to our national parks and monuments. Dirty air ruins scenic views, harms wildlife and historic sites, and affects the health of visitors.
camera icon © Xavigrap/Dreamstime Sign up to get action alerts camera icon © Xavigrap/Dreamstime Regional HazeMillions of people visit U.S. national parks and wilderness areas each year to see some of the most awe-inspiring views in the world. Visitors imagine national parks as having the…
National parks are home to some of America’s most iconic landscapes and best-preserved cultural and historic sites, and these places need clean air and a healthy climate to flourish. Yet…
Jul 2024 “This settlement keeps national parks from Joshua Tree to the Everglades, some of the most polluted parks in the country, top-of-mind for decisionmakers who must ensure that we reduce the…
Action EPA: clear our parks and communities of air pollution. Urge EPA to ensure all states are held accountable for reducing air pollution emissions within their boundaries. It is time for strong regional haze plans in every state.
NPCA AT WORK Parks need improved air monitoring to address pollution Monitoring data is essential to better understand and improve air quality in parks while spotting nationwide trends affecting public health and ecosystems.
NPCA at Work Air Pollution in Colorado: Our Lives and Parks at Risk Colorado suffers from a serious and growing air quality problem, failing year after year to meet federal standards for air that’s healthy and safe to breathe. That needs to change.
NPCA at Work Working for Clean Air in our National Parks Air pollution harms national park visitors’ health, clouds scenic views and alters our climate. And the solutions needed to resolve these problems are largely the same – we must clean up polluting fossil fuel facilities, industries, and vehicles. With your voice, we can make a difference and achieve cleaner air and a healthier climate.
I support park because I support park becauseNational Parks are the only way to protect some of our most beautiful and necessary natural places that bring comfort, peace, joy, sustenance in the deepest of ways. — Cheryl
NPCA at Work California's National Parks: Struggling for Clean Air It might come as a surprise that California’s crown jewel national parks — Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree and Yosemite — struggle with some of the dirtiest air of any parks in the nation.
NPCA at Work Our Southwestern National Parks Deserve Cleaner Air Clean air is still out of reach for our Southwestern national parks.
Policy Update Position on H.J.Res. 117, H.J.Res. 133, H.J.Res. 136 & H.J.Res. 163 Jun 2024 NPCA submitted the following positions to members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ahead of a hearing scheduled for June 27, 2024.
Magazine Article Code Red May 2024 | By Katherine DeGroff NPCA’s latest report on national park pollution paints a dire picture.
Blog Post Clearing the Air in the Smokies May 2024 | By Kelsey Barnett-Fischels Great Smoky Mountains National Park is starting to win its decades-long fight against dangerous haze, adding hope to the park’s horizon.
Press Release Proposed Haze Pollution Consent Decree Sets Schedule to Improve Visibility in National Parks and Wilderness Areas Mar 2024 "From Acadia to Joshua Tree, parks will continue to suffer from hazy skies and unhealthy air until EPA ensures their protection.” - Ulla Reeves, Interim Director, NPCA's Clean Air Program
Blog Post FAQs: Air Quality in National Parks Mar 2024 | By Lam Ho, Linda Coutant NPCA has released its 2024 “Polluted Parks” report, showing 97% of national parks suffer from air pollution. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency recently strengthened its air quality standards, which will provide additional protection to these places we love. Here are the latest developments and what they mean.
Press Release NPCA Finds Air Pollution Harms 97% of National Parks Mar 2024 Parks group releases 2024 report underscoring air pollution, climate threats and need for action
Resource Polluted Parks Report 2024: Resources and Analytical Methods Our methodologies and further explanation of our analysis of data
Press Release Parks, outdoor groups celebrate strengthened air pollution standards as a win for people and parks Feb 2024 "These stronger standards will provide additional clean air protection for national parks, from Sequoia and Kings Canyon in California to Gateway Arch and Mammoth Cave National Parks in Missouri and Kentucky." —Ulla Reeves, Interim Director of NPCA's Clean Air Program
Press Release Park Advocates Applaud EPA's New Protections That Reduce Methane Pollution, Benefit Public Lands Dec 2023 "Tackling methane emissions as a key piece of the climate change problem is a crucial step towards preserving these cherished landscapes for future generations." — Natalie Levine, Interim Campaigns Director, Clean Air Program
Press Release EPA Again Postpones Ozone Reconsideration, Putting National Park Wildlife and Nature at Risk Aug 2023 "There is no question that today’s decision means more detrimental effects on national parks and the ecosystems integral to their survival." - Ulla Reeves, Campaigns Director of the National Parks Conservation Association’s Clean Air Program
Press Release Federal Court Ruling Favors Wyoming Coal Plants, Threatening Communities and Parks Aug 2023 Ruling presents a setback for human health and national park scenic views, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Badlands National Parks.
Resource Regional Haze Fact Sheets by EPA Region Learn about emission sources and the status of regional haze plans in each EPA region.
Letter 47 organizations urge EPA to protect parks and communities from haze Leaders of organizations across the country urged the Environmental Protection Agency to act swiftly and hold polluters accountable in the name of national parks and the communities who rely on them.
Letter 56 businesses from 22 states sent a letter to EPA to protect clean air 56 businesses from 22 states sent a letter to the EPA urging the agency to act swiftly for the sake of their communities, patrons and our natural treasures.
Fact Sheet Ozone Fact Sheet Ozone threatens the health of park visitors and contributes to the disease and death of park species such as the black cherry tree in the East and aspen and ponderosa pine in the West. National park ecosystems across the country are already showing damage from ground-level ozone pollution.
Report The Case for Fixing and Building Out National Parks Air Monitoring Networks Our national parks are places of unparalleled natural wonder, historical significance, and cultural value, yet most are plagued by poor air quality that can threaten human health and detrimentally impact park ecosystems.
Fact Sheet Clean Air for Parks Fact Sheets In the fight for healthy air, laws limiting haze pollution are powerful tools—but we need to act now to sharpen them. To win the fight for clean and healthy air, deploying all means to lower pollution—like ozone and particulate matter—is a necessity.
Fact Sheet Forward, Not Backward Climate change is the greatest threat facing our national parks and people across the world. But the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking strident measures to strip the U.S. of necessary rules to curb climate pollution.
Resource 10 Ways to Be a Park Advocate Want to be an advocate for parks, but don't know where to start?
Video Join Us Our national parks preserve some of the most inspiring places and stories. These places belong to us all. They deserve to be celebrated and protected. It’s up to us to ensure that America’s favorite places have clean water, clear air and healthy wildlife.
Map Learn More About Seeing Clearly in America’s National Parks Jun 2016 How dirty air harms parks and what you can do to help.
My Park Story Share Your Story Apr 2016 Let our leaders know why clean air matters to you. Share your experience!
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