National Park Foundation and Helmsley Charitable Trust Provide Lead Grant to Improve Visitor Experience at Badlands National Park

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- National park enthusiasts can look forward to a new visitor center within the Cedar Pass section of Badlands National Park, thanks in part to a lead investment from the National Park Foundation made possible by generous funding from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The Helmsley Charitable Trust granted $3.3 million for the project. The Badlands Natural History Association and Badlands National Park Conservancy are also providing support to this project.

"The National Park Foundation is grateful to the Helmsley Charitable Trust for their investment in what will be a stellar visitor center experience that will welcome people to this stunning national park for generations to come," said National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth. "This project is a true testament to what partnerships make possible."

A new visitor center in the Cedar Pass area of the park will help provide park visitors with more opportunities to learn about Badlands National Park's natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources; improve scientific study and understanding of its unique paleontological and geological resources; and help people connect with the past and present history, culture, and heritage of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Lakota People.

"Badlands National Park's layered rocks formations and stunning buttes offer visitors a breathtaking glimpse into a scenic landscape that began forming millions of years ago," said Helmsley Charitable Trust Trustee Walter Panzirer. "We're excited to lead the funding effort to construct a new, modern visitor center to highlight the park's splendor and significance."

"We greatly appreciate the meaningful generosity and support of the National Park Foundation and the Helmsley Charitable Trust, which in part, will help us improve the visitor experience at our park," said Badlands National Park Superintendent Mike Pflaum. "We look forward to working closely with the Oglala Sioux Tribe to ensure that the visitor center accurately portrays the Lakota history and heritage. We are grateful for the support of all of our valued partners including the Badlands Natural History Association and Badlands National Park Conservancy." 

"The Badlands Natural History Association has proudly supported Badlands National Park for 60 years and we are excited to join the National Park Foundation and the Helmsley Charitable Trust in the collective effort to make the visitor experience even better," said Badlands Natural History Association Board President Sam Benne. "We pledge to contribute $1.8 million for a new visitor center which will greatly enhance the overall experience of the traveling public."

"We are thrilled to see national and local support come together to benefit visitors to Badlands National Park," said Badlands National Park Conservancy Chair Randy Seiler. "The Conservancy is honored to complement the National Park Foundation and the Helmsley Charitable Trust's lead grant with an initial contribution of $100,000 toward this important project."

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org.

ABOUT THE HELMSLEY CHARITABLE TRUST
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has committed more than $3 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsley's Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $500 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Minnesota, Iowa, Nevada, and Montana. Learn more at helmsleytrust.org.

SOURCE National Park Foundation