FRESNO (KMJ) — Corporate sponsors could be coming to Yosemite National Park, and other National Parks right across the country, but we get a chance to have our say on the proposal before it comes into force.
The official line is that policies on philanthropic support are being examined, but to you and me that means that means the federal agency tasked with looking after our National Parks are looking to big business to help support them financially.
“We have out for public comment, through May 16th, what’s called Director’s Order 21”, says the National Park Service’s Jeffrey Olson. “It talks about our policy as far as fundraising, corporate sponsorships, and the like”.
He adds that the policy establishes that any money changing hands to bring about a company name on an exhibit (for example), wouldn’t be blatantly obvious and would in fact be difficult to find.
“For example, if you made a donation to Yosemite National Park for work on let’s say the theatre in a visitor’s center, where people go in and watch movies. There is what we call donor recognition, that would take place on a small plaque or bit of signage if you will.
Plaques would be in place for around five years, and the National Park’s Service’s recent centennial inspired firms to approach them with the idea. Any sponsorship would have no advertising and no logo visible on it.
“Anything like your favorite national park brought to you by a major coffee house or McDonalds, that’s not going to happen”, continues Olson.
“Corporations…don’t want to damage their brand or ours, with Congress or the public”.
If you’d like your input on the idea, the link can be found clicking here.
