National Park Foundation Announces $500,000 Grant for Yellowstone National Park

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Generous funding from Julia and George Argyros supports efforts to preserve and restore native fish populations in the park

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National Park Foundation

Jun 29, 2018, 11:36 ET

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of a multi-year effort to protect the native cutthroat trout population at Yellowstone National Park, the National Park Foundation announced today a $500,000 grant to the local philanthropic organization Yellowstone Forever for the park's Native Fish Conservation Plan, thanks to generous funding from Julia and George Argyros.

"The Argyros family's support exemplifies the power of philanthropy," said Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation. "Inspired by their love of fishing, Julia and George are helping to revive a once thriving native fish population that is such a critical part of the park."

Following the introduction of nonnative lake, brown, brook, and rainbow trout species, the native cutthroat trout population has declined significantly, leading to the displacement of several cutthroat consumers such as bears, otters, ospreys, and eagles. For example, cutthroat trout numbers in Yellowstone Lake decreased about 90% from an estimated 4+ million following the introduction of predatory lake trout in the late 1980s. To restore cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake to mid-1990s levels and address the continued loss of native fish species at the park, the Native Fish Conservation Plan focuses on restoring the natural ecology, ensuring the health of native biodiversity, and enhancing sport fisheries in the park.

"This generous donation, and others over the past decade, are really making a difference," said Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk. "The park has made progress removing nonnative fish from lakes, rivers, and streams, but we can't stop now in our effort to restore these essential aquatic systems."

For Julia Argyros, protecting native fish populations is close to her heart. As an avid fisher, she established a fly-fishing school for women in Sun Valley, Idaho.

"Because of my passion for fishing, I understand the importance of native species and how we can all help with their preservation," said Julia Argyros, president of the Argyros Family Foundation. "My family and I are honored to support these critical efforts to save the cutthroat trout at Yellowstone National Park."

The Argyros family's donation is part of the National Park Foundation's Centennial Campaign for America's National Parks. To date, this comprehensive fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of America's treasured national parks has raised more than $500 million in private donations from individuals, foundations, and companies.

"Private philanthropy moves this much-needed preservation project forward," said Al Baldwin, chairman of the National Park Foundation's Centennial Campaign for America's National Parks. "Thanks to partners like the Argyros family, Yellowstone's work to protect one of the country's most important fisheries continues."

ABOUT JULIA AND GEORGE ARGYROS
Julia Argyros, along with her husband George, have long been respected pillars of the Orange County, California, business and philanthropic communities, donating time, wisdom and money to causes that are close to their hearts, including health care, education, conservation, high-risk and high-need children, and the arts. Julia Argyros is a passionate philanthropist who has been widely recognized for her dedication to volunteerism and community service. She also established a fly-fishing school for women in Sun Valley, Idaho, and is credentialed in elementary, speech therapy and hard-of-hearing education. Julia and George have been married for 56 years and have three grown children and nine wonderful grandchildren. Their commitment to family is as strong as their belief in the importance of giving back to their community and making a difference in the future of Orange County.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
Celebrating 50 years, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and ENGAGE the next generation of park stewards. In 2016, commemorating the National Park Service's 100th anniversary, the Foundation launched The Centennial Campaign for America's National Parks, a comprehensive fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of these national treasures for the next hundred years. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Alanna Sobel
202-796-2538
[email protected]

SOURCE National Park Foundation