Two nonprofit groups dedicated to promoting national parks in the Chattanooga area are consolidating and rebranding to streamline operations in their mission to be the philanthropic partners of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park system.
The boards of the Friends of Moccasin Bend National Archeological District and Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park believe they have fulfilled their original objectives and will follow the lead of the parks themselves, which became part of one system in 2003. The new group, called National Park Partners, will continue to focus on philanthropic support for the entire Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park system, which features six locations. The merger was announced Tuesday.
“The efficiency gained by combining two fundraising organizations into one will really enhance the ability of this new entity, the National Park Partners, to augment the park’s federal operating budget and entrance fee funds with private donations,” said Brad Bennett, director of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. “In fact, the park’s ability to compete with public/private partnership grants relies on philanthropic matching funds. The combining of these two friends organizations into one philanthropic organization means that NP Partners will be a single, stronger voice of support for the entire park.”
The Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park was formed in 1986 ahead of the 100th anniversary of the preservation of the park. The group continued its fundraising efforts and worked alongside the park system as a partner to help raise support and funds. In a similar manner, the Friends of Moccasin Bend was formed in 1995 to advocate for the inclusion of 750 acres of historical land in the national park system. That goal was achieved in 2003. It then successfully worked to create a general management plan, adopted last year, that would outline the future use of the park.
Group members were also concerned about public confusion surrounding their roles and the park system.