URGENT (February 5, 2009): Senator Bingaman from New Mexico will offer a great amendment as early as today to increase funding for projects in national parks in the economic stimulus bill. Please let your Senators know you want them to vote in favor of the Bingaman Amendment. DON'T WAIT. The Bingaman Amendment will be voted on imminently!

BACKGROUND: Right now, the National Park Service has more than $1 billion worth of ready-to-go projects in national parks across the country, including Acadia, Death Valley, Glacier and the Great Smoky Mountains. Investing in our national parks will help our economy and create more than 57,000 jobs.

Proposed projects will repair worn trails and bridges, control invasive species, "green" park facilities such as visitor centers and launch clean energy programs. And, over the next two years, there will be $2.5 billion worth of job-creating projects in our national parks. Best of all, studies show that every $1 spent on national parks returns $4 to the economy.

The vote on the Senate floor may happen at any moment! Urge your Senators to support Senator Bingaman's amendment to increase funding for projects in national parks in the economic stimulus bill.