Glacier Fund gives $182,000 to Glacier National Park.

Private donors have once again stepped up where Congress has not, plugging big budgetary gaps for officials at Glacier National Park.

"We try to meet some of the needs that aren’t funded," said Jan Metzmaker of the Glacier Fund http://www.glacierfund.org/. "There’s a pretty big wish list up in the park."

This year’s check for $182,190 brings the Glacier Fund’s contribution to $1.2 million since it began propping up park programs in 1999.

According to a report compiled by the National Parks Conservation Association, America’s national parks operate with an annual budget deficit of about $600 million. In Yellowstone National Park, the yearly budget lags more than $20 million behind park operating needs.

By MICHAEL JAMISON
Missoulian

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