Washingtonand#039;s 3 National Parks Receive $1 Million Donation From Woman Who Loved The Outdoors

Washington’s 3 National Parks Receive $1 Million Donation From Woman Who Loved The Outdoors

April 7, 2018

Washington state’s three largest national parks have received a $1 million donation from the estate of a woman who loved the outdoors.

Mount Rainier / Credit: Getty Images

The gift comes from the estate of Bette Wallace, who grew up in Washington.

“On behalf of (Wallace’s) trust it was our family’s honor to make this donation on her behalf to the Washington’s National Park Fund knowing it will be used for many projects including a combination of saving lives and supporting volunteer infrastructure in the parks,” Cheri Ryan, Wallace’s niece said in a statement.

“Our country’s national parks have experienced many financial challenges in recent years and there is a significant maintenance backlog. This wonderful donation via Washington’s National Park Fund enables us to invest in much-needed safety technology that can quite literally save lives in Washington for years to come,” Sarah Creachbaum, Olympic National Park’s superintendent, said in a statement.

“We wish Bette was still here so the park rangers and I could personally show her all of the significant park infrastructure enabled by her major gift,” WNPF’s executive director, Laurie Ward, said. “Not only will it provide immediate vital support to Washington’s national parks, it ushers in a new level giving for WNPF.”