National Parks Group Appoints New VP for Government Affairs

WASHINGTON –National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) announced today the appointment of Kristen Brengel as the group’s new vice president for government affairs. Brengel will direct legislative strategies for the nearly century-old national park advocacy group, reporting directly to NPCA President and CEO Theresa Pierno.

“As we head into the centennial year of the National Park Service, there is no better person to lead our park advocacy efforts in Washington than Brengel,” said Pierno. “A longtime advocate for natural resource conservation, she has been responsible for implementing NPCA’s legislative strategies and working with the administration on a variety of challenging issues. Her exceptional leadership and creativity have been invaluable to NPCA, and we look forward to her continuing that record of success in this new role.”

Brengel joined NPCA in 2009 as the group’s Legislative Director. For the past seven years, she led the organization on public lands conservation, natural and cultural resource issues, and park funding.

“National parks changed the course of our history 100 years ago, and now we have 410 places from Yellowstone to Acadia that protect spectacular scenery and our shared heritage,” said Brengel. “This is an amazing accomplishment for conservation. I’m optimistic about Congress and the president devoting more funding for rangers and needed repairs in older parks, conserving more land for wildlife and recreation, and ensuring our history is well preserved for future generations.”

After the battle to protect the National Park Service Management Policies, the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees honored Brengel with its “1872 Award” for her passionate and effective advocacy for the National Park System. She has worked with NPCA staff and partners on many high-profile issues, including Yellowstone winter use and Drakes Bay wilderness at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Prior to joining NPCA, Kristen was a campaign director at The Wilderness Society for nine years, where she directed priority campaigns that protect public lands managed by the Park Service and other federal land management agencies. Brengel received her B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University.

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About National Parks Conservation Association

Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.