Robert Newtson is executive director of the Friends of Saguaro National Park.

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In July, Congressman Raúl Grijalva introduced H.R. 3094 — the National Park Centennial Fund Act — to authorize the National Park Centennial Challenge program and mark the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.

The Centennial Challenge initiative will enhance and revitalize the national park system in preparation for its 100th birthday in 2016 by creating a 10-year partnership between the federal government and the American people, as private philanthropic contributions will be combined with federal appropriations to fund a variety of critically-important improvement projects at America's national parks.

Earlier this month, Grijalva's landmark legislation was unanimously approved by the House Natural Resources Committee, and the bill now goes before the full House for consideration.

If ultimately passed by the Congress, this legislation could provide far-reaching benefits for Saguaro National Park in Tucson, and other national park sites in Southern Arizona.

The National Park Centennial Fund would support projects in seven specific categories:

● Education in the parks — projects would increase national parks-based educational opportunities for young people.

● Diversity — projects would seek to encourage diversity among both NPS employees and visitors to the nation's parks.

● Supporting park professionals — projects would provide opportunities for Parks employees, at all levels, to participate in professional career development.

● Environmental leadership — projects would help educate the public about environmental impacts (such as climate change) on our natural resources, and promote energy efficiency and sustainability within the parks.

● Natural resource protection — projects would help control invasive species (such as buffelgrass) within the parks, and conserve and restore native ecosystems.

● Cultural Resource Protection — projects would help preserve and protect archeological sites and historic landscape resources within the parks.

● Visitor enjoyment and health — projects would promote park visitation and encourage outdoor recreation for a healthier lifestyle.

Importantly, the National Park Centennial Fund Act also specifies that the federal dollars made available for these projects shall supplement and not replace annual National Park Serve expenditures, and that adequate NPS permanent staffing levels must be maintained. That's good news, as Congressman Grijalva works to protect the base operational funding for Saguaro National Park, Tumacacori National Historical Park, Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and all the other sites in the National Parks system.

A century ago, Theodore Roosevelt noted that our nation's parks and historic places represent "the most glorious heritage a people have ever received, and each one of us must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune." The National Park Centennial Challenge is a way for each of us to help protect this "glorious heritage" which has been entrusted to us.

I hope all Tucsonans will join me in thanking Rep. Grijalva for his leadership in this effort