November 2010 - Parks & Recreation - 10

NRPA IN FOCUS continued from page 8

America's Backyard will create new layers
of support for our parks and recreation
and demonstrate the value of
parks and recreation to local
communities.
Becoming a friend of America's Backyard is as easy as making a tax-deductible donation. It is about empowering and
educating people of all backgrounds,
interests, and professions, who may not
be directly involved in parks and recreation, but who still wish to play a role in
supporting parks and recreation in the
U.S. In a nutshell, America's Backyard is
a vehicle for the general public to support NRPA's mission to advance parks,
recreation, and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life
for all people. Benefits include:
1. A free America's Backyard car cling.
2. Parks & Recreation digital magazine
3. Semi-annual e-Newsletter with updates on advocacy and other park
and recreation initiatives.
4. Advocacy news and alerts so that taking action is easy.

What is in it for NRPA members?
Why should members care about this
initiative?
America's Backyard will create new layers of support for our parks and recreation and demonstrate the value of parks
and recreation to local communities.
The program will:
1. Draw national attention to the impact
of the field on American communities, inducing hundreds to thousands
to millions of people to take an active
role in supporting their local park and
recreation programs.
2. Magnify the park and recreation community's voice on Capitol Hill, which
will assist in the fight for increased
federal support for new and current
park, recreation, and conservation
programs.
3. Increase long-term, general support for opportunities, programs,
and services provided by parks and
recreation.

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4. Create new local citizen leaders, who
take an active role in supporting public parks and recreation.

How can NRPA members support
America's Backyard?
There are many ways that NRPA members can directly support America's
Backyard.
1. Share information with NRPA about
how your parks and programs impact
the lives of your local citizens. NRPA
will use this information to promote
local public parks and recreation in
America.
2. Engage with A merica's Backyard
through Facebook and Twitter.
3. Place links on your websites and
spread the word to your members
through newsletters, alerts, and other pu blic-faci ng commu nication
vehicles.
4. Con nect you r loca l com mu n it y
groups with the Park Partner A lliance, the nationwide network of
community groups that supports local park and recreation areas through
America's Backyard.

What is the Park Partner Alliance,
and why should my community
groups get involved?
Community groups will be able to

www.NRPA .ORG

become Park Partners to support America's Backyard. As Park Partners, they
become part of the Park Partner Alliance-a nationwide network that connects community groups to others like
them. This initiative was driven by citizens as a way to facilitate idea sharing,
networking, and collaboration among
groups who share the same values about
the importance of parks and recreation.
By participating nationally for a small annual fee, your community groups will receive tools and resources to help them
make a bigger impact locally.

Can I give this new membership
as a gift to someone?
Yes! Donations can be made in the name
of any individual, who will then become
an official Friend. To make a donation
and become an official Friend, or to give
a gift membership to a friend or family
member, go to www.-a mericasbackyard.
org.

Who can I contact for more
information on America's Backyard?
Find out more by contacting Jackie Wallenstein at 800.883.3002 or friends@
nrpa.org.

Amy KaPp is the NRPA Communications

Manager.

November 2010 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2010 - Parks & Recreation