National Park Foundation Teams Up with Niantic to Inspire Exploration of Lesser-known National Parks
WASHINGTON – Starting this summer, the National Park Foundation (NPF) is collaborating with Niantic to invite Ingress and Pokémon GO players to meet up, complete tasks, and explore their public lands. Through small group gatherings in lesser-known parks this summer and fall, registrants will help build awareness and preserve and protect these beautiful places while exploring and playing together.
Last year, Niantic’s Operation Clear Field initiative brought Ingress players together to give back to their communities by cleaning up more than 100 parks and other public places around the world. In addition to these cleanup initiatives, Ingress players also raised and donated more than $60,000 to NPF through event registration and direct donations.
This year, Niantic has committed to fund projects directly related to the parks and the community members who enjoy both augmented reality (AR) games and exploring parks. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System and Wild & Scenic Rivers acts, all registration fees from national park events hosted through this partnership will go to NPF to support critical work that protects and connects people to trails and rivers.
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.