VNPA executive director Jody Tableporter, Superintendent Michael Ward, and representatives from Koochiching County, St. Louis County and the City of International Falls traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for Minnesota's only National Park and build support with elected officials and federal agencies.
VNPA met with Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar; Congressmen Chip Cravaack, Erik Paulsen, and Collin Peterson; and staff from Betty McCollum's office. Discussions focused on lobbying for their support of the Park's budget and full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Strategic meetings with BrandUSA, the National Parks Foundation, the National Parks Conservation Association, and Rebecca Wodder, Senior Advisor to the Secretary at Department of the Interior were also held to guide VNPA's project planning and fundraising for this year.
