January 2016
Member Spotlight
Alaska Geographic launched its Arctic Youth Ambassadors Program in 2015, in honor of the United States' chairmanship for 2015 - 2017. This month's spotlight focuses on the program and the partnerships Alaska Geographic strengthened to train these students to become leaders in their local communities. This program will also be the focus of the second general session at the 2016 Partners for Public Lands Convention & Trade Show. Read this month's Member Spotlight to learn more. 
Coming Soon: A New APPL Brand

We have an exciting announcement this year about a transition that we hope will greatly benefit you. APPL has engaged the marketing firm, Moses, Inc. to begin the process of re-branding APPL to better reflect our mission to serve the public lands community. Thank you to the many member organization leaders, agency partners and other stakeholders for participating in our online survey last month and for providing your feedback. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting initiative!convention

Early Attendee Registration Ends Friday, January 22!

Over 150 public lands professionals and more than 100 exhibiting companies have already registered for this year's event in Spokane. Register today and join these convention participants and these exhibitors for an engaging and educational event. Stay at the Davenport Grand Hotel and receive additional discounts on your registration and event tickets by using your hotel reservation number when you register for the convention.

Donations Requested for the Silent Auction

Donating to the silent auction allows you to publicize your organization or company's interpretive message, products and services. You are encouraged to be creative and work with your staff and board members as well as agency, vendor, concessionaire and local partners to put together unique donation packages. Education
Join us on January 28 for the "Hiring Seasonals" Web Chat

The season approaches! The time is nigh when organizations must hire additional employees to meet demands. Join us as we use the web chat format to discuss the hiring of seasonal employees. The web chat will be facilitated by: Bill Berg, Founder of CoolWorks.com and Kathy Nichols, Human Resources Manager at Yellowstone Association. Join us on Thursday, January 28, from 2-3 pm ET to participate in the web chat. Register Here.

Market Circle is a Success!

Last week, we launched an online community for APPL Members and Vendor Support Program Donors called Market Circle. Already, buyers and vendors are engaging in lively discussions about products and services in the public lands industry. If your business works with the nonprofit public lands community, we want to hear from you. Learn more about our Vendor Support Program
APPL Members and 2016 VSP donors: stop by Market Circle and check out our latest posts!

The Administration has announced that it will release its FY 2017 budget request of Congress on Tuesday, February 9. The top line numbers are expected to match the discretionary spending levels enacted by the two-year budget deal (PL 114-74) agreed to in October 2015. Although the President's budget will be dead-on-arrival given Republican control of Congress, it will illuminate Administration priorities leading into the election year. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has already announced its intentions to hold hearings on the proposal for DOI (February 23) and the Forest Service (March 8).

In the meantime, APPL continues to work closely with leaders in the House and Senate on a National Park Service Centennial Act that would expand the Centennial Challenge matching funds program among other important provisions.
IRS Withdraws Substantiation Proposal

Last month, APPL provided comments discouraging the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from creating a new substantiation that would have had charities asking for donors' Social Security numbers. Thanks to comments from APPL and nonprofits across the country, the IRS has dropped its proposal. Read the IRS announcement here.Member
Member News
New Members and New Transitions!
 
We're excited to welcome Washington's National Park Fund to APPL! Fellow members, be sure to say "hello" on Connected Communities. 

Also, in case you haven't heard, Laurel Rematore, previous Executive Director for Mesa Verde Museum Association is now the Executive Director for Great Smoky Mountains Association. Congratulations Laurel on your new position and thank you Terry Maddox for all you have done for GSMA. Congratulate Laurel here and say hello to Sandra Jumper, who is now the Interim Executive Director at Mesa Verde Museum Association.

Colorado National Monument Association

The entry deadline for the 2017 Colorado National Monument calendar published by Colorado National Monument Association is February 17, 2016. Full guidelines are on the 2017 calendar entry form. Last year, Colorado National Monument Association received nearly 700 photos to submit to the committee of artistic judges. Choose your 10 favorite photos and submit today!

Grand Teton National Park Foundation and Grand Teton Association

To kick off the National Park Service Centennial, Grand Teton launches its "Mountains to Main Street" Urban Ambassador Program to provide ongoing career development to young professionals so they can succeed in the highly competitive NPS recruitment process. The program will consist of a week-long career development summit in Grand Teton followed by 10-week urban outreach projects in participants' home cities. It will continue the ladder of professional development for diverse college students and help bring national parks to urban environments. Read about the ambassadors here.

Friends of Black Rock / High Rock

Friends of Black Rock / High Rock is now accepting applications for their 2016 Artist-in-Residence program. This program promotes awareness through art of the exceptional places protected within the BLM's National Conservation Lands and provides an opportunity for learning and dialogue about the value of preserving public lands. It will engage and inform an audience through public programs by participants, and will provide time for artists to pursue their work. The deadline to apply is March 31st. Learn more about the program here.agency
Agency News
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: National wildlife refuges make great festival sites because so many of these special places are located along the country's key migratory bird routes. Many festivals coincide with spring or fall migration. Here are some great refuge bird festivals to catch in 2016.
     
  • National Park Service: The U.S. Mint announced that the Centennial Coin will go on sale to the public starting March 24, 2016 in collector proof and un-circulated finishes. Following the release, the coins will be offered at a discounted introductory price for their first 30 days. The National Park Foundation is working closely with the U.S. Mint to determine how park partners and concessionaires can take part in this exciting opportunity.
     
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Synergy between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Water Resources and local government leaders is powering a unified vision to lower flood risk, restore ecosystems and aid water conservation in California's Central Valley. Read the full article here.
     
  • 2016 Federal Fee-Free Days Announced: Read the National Environmental Education Foundation's summary of the fee-free days taking place across the country to celebrate public lands. marketplace
Marketplace
Rocky Mountain Sunscreen 

Rocky Mountain Sunscreen (RMS) announces a new custom label sunscreen program for 2016. By bringing the 4 color label printing equipment in house, RMS now offers a 100 piece minimum to the APPL membership. You can now affordably promote sun safety to your park visitors using the SPF 50 Broad Spectrum spray and lotion formulas on RMS' 4 color process labels. To view the different sizes available, please click here or visit booth 628 in Spokane.

Geiger Bros

Geiger Bros, est. 1878, is the largest Custom Apparel, Product and Specialties Company in the country with over 4500 supplier and manufacturing partners in the USA & abroad. All manufacturing partners are CPSC - Consumer Product Safety Council certified - giving Geiger the strongest sourcing and buying power available. Geiger solves creative challenges for product ideas. Contact Sheri Lazenby at 407 406-3249 or [email protected] or visit sherilazenby.geiger.com.

Blubandoo Cooling Headwear & Accessories


Since 1993, we've created fashionable cooling caps/hats and visors, neckbands, headbands and doorags that really work! Just soak them in water for 5 minutes, they'll dry completely to the touch, yet keep cool for hours, even days! They're reusable, washable and available in numerous fabrics/colors. Name drop available. See all and our new recycled Gear Ties at the APPL Show. Ask NOW about our Find Your Park Program. Visit us here or email us at [email protected] 
Touchstone Distributing

Thanks to APPL members' enthusiastic support, Touchstone Pottery's Pathfinder Porcelain Wildlife Pendant line keeps growing! We've added 15 new wildlife designs this year, many based on your feedback. Pathfinder pendants offer your visitors both a high quality USA made souvenir and educational information to fulfill your mission of interpretive support. Both incentive pricing and FREE display options are available with your qualifying order.
  • Exceptional quality
  • Made In America
  • Eye-catching display options
  • Sales are fully guaranteed
  • Incentive pricing is availableOpportunities
Opportunities and Resources
2016 Spring Friends Alliance Meeting - Registration is now open

Registration is now open for the upcoming Friends Alliance Meeting taking place March 15-17 in Washington, D.C. This year's meeting is hosted by the National Park Foundation in partnership with Washington Parks & People at the Josephine Butler Parks Center. A hotel block for attendees has been reserved at the Holiday Inn - book your accommodations before February 15, 2016.
Great Outdoors Month Video Competition

The American Recreation Coalition (ARC) is launching the first-ever Great Outdoors Month™ Video Competition -- and you are invited to participate! During Great Outdoors Month™ 2014, Governors Mike Beebe of Arkansas and Butch Otter of Idaho worked with their state tourism agencies to produce PSAs urging their residents to enjoy the many outdoor treasures their states have to offer. This year, ARC is expanding this effort nationwide and encouraging videographers, professional and amateur alike, to submit their videos promoting outdoor fun to the 2016 Great Outdoors Month™ Video Competition. Full details and submission guidelines are available here.
 The APPL Job Board Wants to List Your Opportunities!

Check out our current listings on the Job Board and submit your seasonal, part-time and full-time employment opportunities. New listings from Yellowstone Association, Grand Teton Association, the National Park Foundation and more!
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Association of Partners for Public Lands
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