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The Dolphin Outlook, Rambo, Johnny, Julia Goerges, Donna Vekic, Lucie Safarova and Kevin Anderson...

  • Writer: Don Lichterman
    Don Lichterman
  • Aug 7, 2020
  • 6 min read
Franciscana and bottlenose dolphins off Northern Patagonia

Whale and Dolphin Conservation are supporting efforts by local NGO, Fundacion Cethus, to carry out vital research and protect two rare species of dolphin off Northern Patagonia in Argentina.

In July 2020, Whale and Dolphin Conservation joined forces with WTA and ATP players to celebrate Whale and Dolphin Day (July 23rd).


We were delighted that Julia Goerges, Donna Vekic, Lucie Safarova and Kevin Anderson helped us raise awareness of our vital work to protect these magnificent creatures – sharing important messages on the threats that whales and dolphins face, and the vital role whales play in keeping our oceans healthy and fighting the climate crisis.

This photo of Rambo and Johnny swimming amidst several live fish in the waters of the Bali Dolphin Rehabilitation and Release Center might appear a little alien. After all, we have been conditioned to see dolphins in tanks, devoid of any stimulation, or anything resembling nature. That’s because dolphins recruited for captivity are trained to look up — in fact, their survival depends on it. Everything in a dolphin’s captive existence is unnatural, and tanks are deliberately left barren. Compare this to the healing waters of the Bali Dolphin Rehabilitation and Release Center, the world’s only permanent dolphin rehabilitation and release center for formerly captive dolphins, where our three rescued dolphins continue to heal, thrive and re-learn some of the skills suppressed during their time spent as entertainers in the pools at the Melka Excelsior Hotel.


While COVID-19 ravages the planet, our team has taken no risks. We have stayed together caring for Rocky, Rambo and Johnny, spending much time observing them and introducing live fish. We work on the dolphins’ schedules, not ours, and it wasn’t until several weeks ago that our team of veterinarians and caregivers felt the dolphins were ready for live fish introduction as they continued to regain their health.


Rocky catching and eating live fish, Bali Dolphin Rehabilitation and Release Center


It’s amazing to watch their progress as they play and interact with one another, spending long periods of time deep in the sea, exploring the entire seapen. And, with time and patience, we are introducing them to their natural diet. Rambo is a sensitive male who needs time to adapt to new changes. Rocky, on the other hand, eagerly jumps into his next adventure, always willing to explore new things. Johnny? Well, he’s practically fearless, always open to trying new things and exploring his surroundings.


We are also pleased to share that our team has been upgrading our skills, with three caretakers now certified divers. Besides observing the dolphins on the surface of the water, our team spends much time inside the water. Maintenance of the seapen is an ongoing task. As well, observations from inside the water helps us to better document and understand the behaviors of Rambo, Rocky, and Johnny.


Our team learning essential diving skills, Bali, Indonesia

Upgrading our diving skills, Bali, Indonesia

Bali Dolphin Rehabilitation and Release Center, Bali, Indonesia

Despite the uncertainly of the world, thanks to your ongoing support, we are continuing to care for our rescued dolphins 24/7 while keeping the Bali Dolphin Rehabilitation and Release Center running seamlessly. Please consider making a gift of regular support toensure we can provide the quality care needed for the health and welfare of the rescued dolphins in our stewardship. It’s fast, simple and offers immediate benefits for the dolphins.


For over 50 years, Dolphin Project has prided ourselves on the strength of our supporters. Today, more than ever, I’m asking that we mobilize our forces and come together on behalf of the dolphins.


As the world continues to struggle amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our team in Bali, Indonesia continues our 24/7 care of Rocky, Rambo and Johnny, our three rescued dolphins currently residing at the Bali Dolphin Sanctuary. As most of you are aware, last year, Dolphin Project, in partnership with the Central Jakarta Forestry Department, established the world’s only permanent dolphin retirement sanctuary for formerly captive dolphins.

#TeamDolphinProject, Bali Dolphin Sanctuary

Immediately upon the dolphins’ arrival, their diet was changed to fresh, whole fish. (In captivity, dolphins are fed pieces of fish throughout the day to keep them motivated and hungry to perform). Our initial concerns were getting the dolphins back to a healthy weight and building their strength. We are pleased to report that regular check-ups by our veterinary team clearly show that the dolphins’ health and condition have been steadily improving.


As such, we are beginning to introduce live fish feedings to the dolphins in preparation for a possible release into their home range. The process of being able to catch live fish is part of their journey to full independence. While we are only at the very start of this process, we are elated it has begun!


At first, Rocky would lose the fish and that was that. But after a couple of weeks, we saw him improve, putting a real effort into grabbing the live fish, and then if he lost it, chasing the fish to catch it again. Now, he seems to enjoy this process, eager to play, chase and grab live fish – a great precursor to him catching and eating live fish on his own.


Almost from the start, Johnny accepted hand-fed live fish, and he also puts an effort into chasing them. Catching them however, is near impossible, as he has no teeth left and is unable to grasp the fish. For Johnny, chasing live fish is part of play and since he is being fed live fish, that’s perfectly fine for us.


During the first, few feedings of live fish to Rambo, he would get very nervous as soon as a fish would move in his mouth. He would let go of it and put no effort into chasing it. However, two weeks later, Rambo accepted the live fish and put more effort into eating it. We hope to soon see him chasing and eating live fish.

Bali Dolphin Sanctuary, Bali, Indonesia

The dolphins receive 24/7 round-the-clock care. We have a full-time staff veterinarian, security guards and caregivers. Ours is a true sanctuary, and our team is committed to making the dolphins’ lives as natural and independent as possible. In March 2020, Dolphin Project, in anticipation of the arrival of additional confiscated dolphins (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) tripled the size of our sanctuary. Now, more than ever, your help is urgently needed.


Dolphin Project has also been actively scouting locations for the first permanent dolphin sanctuary in Europe and are pleased to share we’ve found a location in Italy. Be sure to follow our social media and become a Supporter on our Facebook page for more details and behind-the-scenes videos!


By making a gift of regular support, you’ll ensure we can provide the quality care needed for the health and welfare of the rescued dolphins in our stewardship. It’s fast, simple and offers immediate benefits for the dolphins.


For over 50 years, Dolphin Project has prided ourselves on the strength of our supporters. Today, more than ever, I’m asking that we mobilize our forces and come together on behalf of the dolphins.


Ric O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project... Dedicated to the welfare of dolphins worldwide since Earth Day 1970


Shop for a cause and be a voice for the voiceless! As a gift to you, any purchase made via our online shop will be discounted by 15%!

Each year from approximately September 1 to March 1, a large-scale hunt of dolphins takes place in the small village of Taiji, Japan, as made famous by the 2010 Academy Award-winning documentary “The Cove.”
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Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

The Sustainable Action Network (SAN), A Don Lichterman non-profit organization dedicated to building a global community raising awareness of corruption, injustice and the need for action across a full range of issues impacting people and animal/wildlife welfare around the world, such as conservation, climate change, campaign law, lobbying, government action and rescue work. SAN’s vision is to create safer world, free from political, environmental, and social oppression, where all the inhabitants of Earth can live in harmony within their own natural environments. Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.


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Recipe of the Week, Mint Mojito, Gazpacho, Grilled Corn & Strawberry Shortcake...Love & Lemons!

  • Writer: Don Lichterman
    Don Lichterman
  • Aug 7, 2020
  • 11 min read
Mint Mojito

Prep Time: 10 mins - Serves 1

Cool off with this easy mojito recipe! Made with rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and fresh mint, this refreshing cocktail is perfect for summer.

Ingredients

  • 5 mint leaves, more for garnish

  • 2 ounces white rum

  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice

  • ½ ounce simple syrup

  • Ice

  • Club soda or sparkling water

  • Lime slices, for garnish

Instructions

  • Lightly muddle the mint in the bottom of a cocktail shaker until aromatic. Add the rum, lime juice, simple syrup, a handful of ice and shake.

  • Fresh mint – The star of this classic cocktail! You’ll muddle some mint leaves to infuse the drink with flavor and add more to your glass for garnish.

  • White rum – Jack and I are fans of 10 Cane and Bacardi Silver Rum, but any white rum would work here. Feel free to use your favorite!

  • Fresh lime juice – It adds bright, tart flavor. Always, always use freshly squeezed lime juice in this mojito recipe.

  • Simple syrup – Classic mojito recipes call for sugar, but I like to use simple syrup in its place. It streamlines the recipe, as you don’t need to muddle the sugar with the lime and mint. Simple syrup keeps for several weeks in the fridge, so I like to keep it on hand for anytime I’m in the mood for a fun drink.

  • Club soda or sparkling water – It balances the tart lime and alcohol and gives the cocktail a fun fizz.

  • Ice – You can’t make a cool, refreshing mojito without it!

Gazpacho

As I mentioned above, bread is often used as a thickener in Andalusian gazpacho. For my taste, the soup is plenty creamy without it, so I make my gazpacho with these simple ingredients:

  • Tomatoes – Any variety of tomatoes will work well here. Choose the best ones you can find at your farmers market or grocery store!

  • Cucumber – Dice some cucumber and reserve it for garnish. Then, peel the rest and blend it into the soup!

  • Fresno chiles – Traditional Spanish gazpacho is made with bell peppers. But earlier this summer, I was making gazpacho at home, and fresno chiles were the only peppers I had in the fridge. I tossed them in, and I fell in love with the heat they added to the soup. I highly recommend using them, but you could swap in half a red bell pepper if you prefer.

  • Garlic – For bite!

  • Red onion – Rinse it under cold water before you add it to the blender to tame its sharp flavor.

  • Red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar – It adds delicious tang.

  • Cilantro – It’s not traditional, but I love the herby fresh flavor.

  • Extra-virgin olive oil – 1/2 cup might seem like a lot, but trust me, you’re going to want every drop in this cool summer soup. It’s essential for creating a rich, creamy, and balanced gazpacho.

  • And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!

Best Gazpacho Recipe Tips

  • Good tomatoes are gold. This gazpacho recipe calls for a whole lotta tomatoes: 2 1/2 pounds! They make up the body of the soup, so the quality of your tomatoes will really affect the final dish. If you can, look for local tomatoes at your farmers market. But no matter what, make this recipe in summer, when any tomato is sweeter and juicier than it would be at other times of year.

  • Work in batches if necessary. This recipe makes a lot of soup, so you might need to work in batches depending on the size of your blender or food processor. Of course, you could also halve the recipe, but I like having leftovers in the fridge. The soup becomes more complex and flavorful the longer it chills, so it tastes even better on days 2 and 3!

  • Chill the soup for at least 2 hours before you eat. It might be tempting to cut the chilling time short, but trust me, the wait is worth it! After the flavors meld and develop in the fridge, the soup becomes more balanced, complex, and refreshing.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this gazpacho recipe two ways: in a glass or in a bowl. Drink it for a light lunch or appetizer, or load up your bowl with toppings to make it a meal on its own! I like to garnish my bowl with diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil. Roasted chickpeas, croutons, chopped hard boiled eggs, and avocado would be delicious toppings too.


Round out the meal with good crusty bread, socca, or avocado toast. For a heartier meal, serve this easy gazpacho with grilled vegetables and romesco sauce, your favorite protein, or a summer veggie frittata. Enjoy!


This gazpacho recipe is super easy to make - just blend and chill! Cold, complex, and refreshing, it's perfect for a hot summer day.


Ingredients

  • 1 English cucumber

  • 2½ pounds ripe tomatoes, chopped

  • 2 fresno chiles, or ½ red bell pepper, stemmed and seeded

  • ¼ small red onion, rinsed

  • 4 small garlic cloves

  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish

  • 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

  • 1¼ teaspoon sea salt

  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • Cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs, for garnish

Instructions

  • Finely chop ¼ of the cucumber and reserve for garnish.

  • Peel the remaining cucumber, cut into chunks, and transfer to a blender. Add the tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic, cilantro, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Season to taste and chill for at least 2 hours.

  • Serve the soup with the reserved diced cucumber, fresh herbs, drizzles of olive oil, and freshly ground black pepper.

How to Grill Corn on the Cob

I have two methods for how to grill corn on the cob. They yield slightly different results, but both are delicious. Which one I pick on a given day depends on how much time I have and what I’m craving. Feel free to choose whichever sounds best to you!


1. In the husk – In this method, the ears of corn steam inside the husk, yielding juicy, tender kernels that are bright yellow and barely charred. I pull the husks of the corn back, leaving them attached at the base, and remove the silk. Then, I pull the husks back up and soak the corn in the husks for 10 minutes. (Soaking corn hydrates the husks, preventing them from burning too much on the grill.) After the corn soaks, I pat it dry and grill it in the husks until the corn is tender and light char marks form. I choose this method when I’m craving really juicy, sweet grilled corn on the cob, and I’m not as concerned about the char.


2. Straight on the grill – Choose this method if you’re all about the char! Here, I shuck the corn, removing the silk and husks, and cook the cobs directly on the grill. Cooking corn this way means that the kernels won’t be quite as juicy – they’ll lose some of their moisture to the hot grill grates. However, they’ll be nicely charred and full of smoky flavor. This method is also great if you’re short on time. With no soaking required, the grilled corn cooks up in minutes.

Grilled Corn

Prep Time: 12 mins - Cook Time: 15 mins - Serves 4 to 8


Nothing screams summer like grilled corn on the cob! Both of these methods for how to grill corn yield great results. Choose the first one if you like your corn sweeter and juicier, and choose the second if you want it to have a smoky, charred flavor from the grill.


Ingredients

  • 4 to 8 ears fresh corn

Topping options:

  • Butter, sea salt, lemon or lime wedges, red pepper flakes

  • Cilantro Lime Butter, recipe below

  • Vegan Ranch

Instructions - Husk-on method

  • Pull back the husks of the corn leaving them attached at the base. Remove the silks (as much as you can) and close the husks back over the corn cob. Soak the corn in a large pot of cold water for 10 minutes. This will prevent the husks from burning too much on the grill. Drain and pat dry.

  • Heat a grill to medium-high heat. Place the corn on the grill and cook, turning every 3 to 5 minutes, until all sides of the corn are cooked, about 15 minutes. Remove from the grill, tie back the husks and use them as a handle. Serve with desired toppings.\

Husked method

  • Remove the corn husk and silks and preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the corn on the grill and cook, turning every 3 to 5 minutes, until all sides of the corn are cooked and light char marks form, about 15 minutes. Remove from the grill and serve with desired toppings.

Notes Cilantro Lime Butter: In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro with ¼ teaspoon lime zest, and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Mash in 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter until well combined. Roll into a log, wrap in parchment paper, and chill until firm.

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe Ingredients

Speaking of strawberries, I don’t sweeten them in this recipe. If you wanted to, you could toss them with pinches of sugar like I do here, but at this time of year, I don’t think it’s necessary. Strawberries are delicate, juicy, and sweet all on their own! Use the best ones you can find, and you won’t miss the extra sugar.

Here’s what else you’ll need to make this recipe:

  • All-purpose flour – Jack and I have experimented with all sorts of flours over the last few months, and King Arthur Flour yields the best results every time. To accurately measure the flour for this recipe, be sure to use the spoon-and-level method.

  • Cornmeal – I love to make this recipe with medium-grind cornmeal. It adds a nice texture to the dough, but it’s not too coarse or crunchy. My go-to brands are Arrowhead Mills and Bob’s Red Mill.

  • Granulated sugar – For sweetness.

  • Baking powder – It makes the biscuits nice and puffy.

  • Sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!

  • Coconut oil – It makes the dough rich and layered without any butter or heavy cream.

  • Lemon juice and zest – They give the dough a super bright, fresh flavor! You need two tablespoons of each, so make sure you have at least 2 lemons on hand.

  • Eggs – They add richness to the biscuits and help them rise.

  • Almond milk – It adds moisture to the biscuit dough. I also brush almond milk on top of the biscuits to give them a nice crisp crust!

  • Whipped cream or coconut cream – My go-to is coconut cream, as it makes this recipe totally dairy-free. Of course, traditional whipped cream would be delicious too.

How to Make Strawberry Shortcake

Ready to learn how to make strawberry shortcake? Luckily for us, it’s easy! Here’s what you need to do:

First, make the biscuit dough. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Then, add the coconut oil and use your hands to work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Finally, add the lemon zest, juice, almond milk, and eggs and mix until just combined.

Next, shape the dough. Turn it out onto a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, pat it into a rectangle, and fold it into thirds. Pat or roll the folded dough to about 1 inch thick, and freeze it for 20 minutes.

After the dough chills, cut out the biscuits. Use a 2-1/2 inch round biscuit cutter to punch them out, gathering the scraps and re-rolling the dough as necessary. You should end up with 8 1-inch thick biscuits (even though just 6 are pictured here!).

Helpful Tips

  • Make sure your coconut oil is cold. Like the butter in this scone recipe, the coconut oil needs to be cold when you work it into the flour. The cold, solid oil is key for creating layered biscuits that will puff up in the oven. I like to measure my coconut oil in advance and pop it in the fridge for an hour before I start cooking. I don’t recommend freezing coconut oil, as it quickly becomes too hard to work with.

  • Cut the coconut oil into little pieces. This is key! Once your coconut oil is cold, you want to keep it that way. Cutting it into small pieces means that you’ll be able to integrate it with the dry ingredients more quickly. That way, the heat from your hands won’t melt the oil as you work.

  • Don’t cut the chilling time short. Colder dough yields puffier biscuits with better layering, so make sure to freeze the dough for a full 20 minutes before you cut out and bake the biscuits.

  • Top them with sugar. I list this step as optional, but I highly recommend brushing the biscuits with almond milk and sprinkling them with sugar before you bake them. It makes them nice and crisp on top!

  • Assemble the shortcakes right before you eat. Strawberry shortcake is best right after it’s assembled, so just assemble the cakes you plan to eat right away. Any leftover biscuits will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days. They also freeze well for up to a month!

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe Variations

  • Switch the fruit. Strawberry shortcake is a classic dessert, but this lemon biscuit recipe would taste just as good with raspberries or blueberries. Use them in place of the strawberries, or, for a festive variation, fill the biscuits with a mix of strawberries and blueberries!

  • Use your favorite kind of cream. I most often fill my strawberry shortcake with coconut cream, but any cool, creamy filling is delightful here. Make traditional whipped cream with heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract, or serve your shortcake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a lighter variation, replace the cream with a dollop of Greek yogurt.

  • Keep it simple. These lemon cornmeal biscuits make fantastic strawberry shortcake, but they’re also wonderful on their own! Feel free to skip the fruity filling altogether and enjoy the biscuits plain, or slather them with your favorite jam for a light breakfast or afternoon snack.

Strawberry Shortcake

Prep Time: 10 mins - Cook Time: 17 mins - Chilling Time: 20 mins & Serves 8


This easy strawberry shortcake recipe is the perfect summer dessert. Tender, lemony cornmeal biscuits surround layers of strawberries and cream. To make this recipe dairy-free, replace the traditional whipped cream with coconut cream.


Ingredients Lemon Cornmeal Biscuits

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • ¾ cup medium-grind cornmeal

  • ⅓ cup cane sugar

  • 2½ teaspoons baking powder

  • ¾ teaspoons sea salt

  • ½ cup coconut oil, hardened and cut into small pieces

  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 eggs, beaten

  • ¼ cup almond milk, more for brushing

  • Coarse sugar, for sprinkling, optional

For assembly

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

  • Using your hands, work the coconut oil in until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, eggs, and milk and mix until just combined. The dough will be more moist and pliable than traditional biscuit dough.

  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured piece of parchment paper and pat into a ½-inch-thick rectangle. Fold the dough into thirds and pat or roll again until 1-inch thick. Freeze for 20 minutes.

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Remove the dough from the freezer and use a 2½-inch round biscuit cutter to cut out 3 to 4 biscuits. Re-roll the scraps as necessary to cut out 8 1-inch thick biscuits. Place the biscuits on the baking sheet.

  • If desired, brush the tops of the biscuits with a little almond milk and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

  • Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

  • Assemble the strawberry shortcakes with the biscuits, strawberries, cream, and mint, if desired.

Recipe of the Week

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives. Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

The Sustainable Action Network (SAN), A Don Lichterman non-profit organization dedicated to building a global community raising awareness of corruption, injustice and the need for action across a full range of issues impacting people and animal/wildlife welfare around the world, such as conservation, climate change, campaign law, lobbying, government action and rescue work. SAN’s vision is to create safer world, free from political, environmental, and social oppression, where all the inhabitants of Earth can live in harmony within their own natural environments. Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
ANIMAL RESCUES WELFARE, CRIMES & ABUSE
PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE

Sustainable Action Network (SAN) is back in Action This Week!

  • Writer: Don Lichterman
    Don Lichterman
  • Jul 15, 2020
  • 6 min read
More than 22,000 national park rangers and employees care for national parks across the country, many of which are in our own backyards.

We recognize their tireless efforts during this unprecedented time to keep the parks we love ready for all of us. Check out our new video that pays tribute to these dedicated national park rangers and employees. Please join us in showing appreciation for them!

Inspire Your #RecreateResponsibly Adventures this Summer


With sunrays shining through the treetops, a woman’s magical moment amidst towering giants at California’s Redwood National and State Parks is the grand prize winner of the 2019 Share the Experience photo contest, hosted by the National Park Foundation and Booz Allen Hamilton. Check out all the incredible winning photos on our blog, then find your favorite pics and enter the special edition 2020 "Best of the Decade" Share the Experience Photo Contest for a chance to win cash and other great prizes from our partners Celestron, Hydro Flask and Historic Hotels of America. If you’re looking to make new memories, be sure to plan ahead and #RecreateResponsibly this year and well into the future!

For more than a century, our national parks have given shape to our multi-faceted and multicultural story, telling the ever-evolving story of who we are, honoring our differences and reminding us of everything we have in common. The National Park Foundation is committed to making sure our parks thrive, because national parks don’t just stand for where America has been – they inspire where we go next. Explore the National Park Foundation’s work and impact in national parks across the country.

Making the Anza Trail a More Accessible Experience

Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail stretches from Arizona to the San Francisco Bay Area and connects visitors to history, culture, and outdoor recreation. A three-mile section of the trail has been transformed into an accessible exhibit, designed with features that can be enjoyed by visitors of ranging abilities in sight, mobility, hearing, and language. Learn more about the historic Anza Trail and how the National Park Foundation worked with the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind on this new accessible exhibit.

Get Your Free National Park Owner's Guides

Thinking about your next national park experience? These FREE downloadable national park Owner's Guides are filled with travel tips and helpful information. It's your one-stop resource to discover all your national parks! Download today.

Going the Distance

Whether it is experiencing Hawai'i’s unique blend of cultures on Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail along the shoreline, or walking the same path as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. along the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, the National Trails System allows visitors to experience stories of those who forged their own path in American history. Discover what it takes to support a national trail and the power of philanthropic partnership in our recent Q&A with Luke Kloberdanz, Director of Philanthropy at Ice Age Trail Alliance.

Creative Ways to Camp at Home

Camping out doesn’t always require a rugged campground – even if you can’t get to national park, you can still enjoy some of the benefits of camping by setting up camp at home. Use our at-home camping guide for inspiration – try new s’mores combination creations, craft tent decorations, sing a campfire song or two, and even share park-inspired spooky stories. Plan a night in with your loved ones this summer and enjoy all the fireside fun of a national park campout from the comfort of your home.

In Case You Missed It

Follow us on social media for more national park gems like these.

  • Only the best public lands photography.

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  • The Senate voted to restore our parks!

  • Thank you, NPS!

  • The producers behind "Twenty & Odd".

  • When NPF steps up ...

  • These are the movements that made us.

Get Inspired for Your Next National Park Adventure

With over 400 national park sites across the country, sometimes the hardest part of planning a park trip is simply choosing where to explore next. With our Find Your Park Quiz, it’s easy to find new, exciting places to discover. Just answer a few questions about what you’d like to see or do on your trip, and we’ll provide a plethora of perfect park pairings – maybe even some parks you hadn’t heard of before! Adventure awaits – just make sure you #RecreateResponsibly when you do visit a park.

A Shared Love of Parks

Like so many of our donors, Barbara Stephens and Jayne Iafrate grew up vacationing in national parks. It is no surprise that they still often consult the full list of national parks when planning their next trip together. For Barbara and Jayne, preserving national parks for generations to come is a priority, which is why they decided to include the National Park Foundation in their estate plans. Read more about Jayne and Barbara’s story on our website and learn how you too can create a legacy gift to the National Park Foundation.

This Month's Quiz


Which national park unit in Utah sits at over 10,000 feet in elevation, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view looking down into a half-mile deep geologic amphitheater?


Congratulations to last month’s winner, Leila Espinosa, from Santa Clarita, CA who knew that Badlands National Park in South Dakota has a rich tradition of fossil collecting and study, stretching all the way back to when the people of the Oglala Lakota Nation discovered fossilized bones and turtle shells. The turtle shells and seashells suggest this area was once underwater.

Candidates, General Election, The Senate, The House, Voters Suppression, Voters Rights, Gerrymandering & Making Sure of a Fair Vote in 2020!

Nancy Pelosi & Jimmy Carter are joining the call for a National Vote by Mail Option...

Nancy Pelosi said that she’s sprinting to pass a National Vote by Mail Option, “Voting by mail is central to this in any event, but at the time of the coronavirus, very essential.”


Donald Trump hates Vote by Mail. He HATES the Postal Service! He’ll do anything to stop us and sink voter turnout. Donald Trump will silence voters! We must pass a National Vote by Mail Option -- so we’re running a 50 State Campaign to get it done! If we can pull this off, all registered voters will have the necessary options to be able to cast their ballots!

Get your up to date coverage along with all results District by District and State by State with coverage on your Voters Rights, Gerrymandering, Voter Suppression Tactics while fighting for a fair election in 2020. A Look at the Candidates we Back and at the Presidential Race this year in 2020!

Recipe of the Week
Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

The Sustainable Action Network (SAN), A Don Lichterman non-profit organization dedicated to building a global community raising awareness of corruption, injustice and the need for action across a full range of issues impacting people and animal/wildlife welfare around the world, such as conservation, climate change, campaign law, lobbying, government action and rescue work. SAN’s vision is to create safer world, free from political, environmental, and social oppression, where all the inhabitants of Earth can live in harmony within their own natural environments. Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
ANIMAL RESCUES WELFARE, CRIMES & ABUSE
PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE

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