Ranger Relief Fund

ANPR supports National Park Service staff with community microgrants

The grants will allow for social networking and cameraderie during difficult times

Virginia Beach, Va. — During the Association of National Park Rangers, Ranger Rendezvous 48 Board of Directors Meeting, the board voted to make grants available that will support activities to help ANPR members enhance park staff communities. The board took this action in response to the uncertainty and stress that attend many staff being away from parks or serving without pay during a lapse in appropriations.

“We see the needs among ANPR members in communities across the nation, and we have a duty to act to help,” Rick Mossman, Association of National Park Rangers President, said. “With the government shutdown, many furloughed employees are feeling isolated. ANPR’s Ranger Community Grants provide a lifeline that recognize the hard work of all park staff and support new opportunities for connection and connection. Building on nearly five decades of support, this is one more way that ANPR stands with members of the ranger community.”

Anyone who is a member of the Association of National Park Rangers can submit applications for up to $300 until March 31, 2026.

Events Eligible for Grants

ANPR knows the ranger community is creative, and we will not limit grants to specific kinds of types of events. Members can apply to host an activity for a group of any size. When the Board of Directors created this program at Ranger Rendezvous 48, several suggestions they considered included:

Happy hours at community bars or restaurants
Picnics or cookouts
Board game events
Yoga instruction sessions
Crafting events

Members can host these or other kinds of events at a private home, in a park, or at a venue in an ANPR member’s local community. ANPR encourages members to apply for any or all events that they believe will contribute to improved morale and increased staff fulfillment. The Board of Directors will assess applications to direct available funds so that they will benefit staff who work at any national park site.

How To Apply

ANPR members can submit event proposals to Bill Wade at bwade@anpr.org for now. An online application form is being developed and a link will be provided when it is ready. Grant proposals should be for $300 or less

Who Will Get a Grant, and How to Attend Grant Supported Events

The Association of National Park Rangers will award grants as funds are available. We will work with hosts to share information about events to publicize them.

How to Help

Make donations to the organization’s general fund. We welcome donations of any size, and rangers appreciate donors’ generosity!

Become eligible for a grant by joining the Association of National Park Rangers!

ANPR to support displaced workers following illegal federal firings

The start of the year 2025 was challenging for those of us working for and in public lands. On Feb. 14, 2025, a "Valentine's Day Massacre" took out nearly 1,000 public lands employees, who were fired, with no notice, during their probationary periods. These employees ARE OUR PEOPLE.

ANPR is here for you. At its February board meeting, ANPR unanimously voted to expand our Employee Natural Disaster Assistance Fund, which was aimed at supporting ANPR members displaced by fires, mudslides, hurricanes and other forces of nature, to include those affected by other forces outside their control, including the recent firings by the current administration. The fund is now called the Ranger Emergency Relief Fund.

If you are an ANPR member who was fired, and even if you have since been brought back on, you are eligible to apply for disaster assistance. We recognize that the upheaval of such actions may have cost you rent on your home, missed bills, travel to wherever you then went, and other unforeseen complications in your day-to-day life.

To apply for financial assistance from ANPR, please fill the form here, which will go to our executive director, Bill Wade. This is a member benefit, and you must be an ANPR member to apply.

Enjoy a free year of ANPR membership

If you were part of the Valentine's Day Massacre, and even if you've since re-joined your public land agency, we welcome you with a free one-year membership to ANPR. Learn more about our organization, and what we can do to help support you in your career. Click here to request a free membership. Your subscription will be good for one year from the date of application, and include the online version of our quarterly magazine, Ranger.

If you have any questions, please contact ANPR Executive Director Bill Wade here.

Give a gift membership to ANPR

If you would like to help an aspiring ranger connect with an organization that is working to support their goals, consider a gift subscription! This provides your recipient with the online version of our magazine and all the benefits of membership. Go here to sign them up.

If you would prefer to provide your recipient with a full membership, contact Melissa DeVaughn here.

Free access to Ranger magazine

We are sharing the most recent spring issue of Ranger magazine with all rangers so you can read for yourself the efforts being made on your behalf. Usually a members-only benefit, Ranger magazine connects NPS professionals from across all disciplines and departments. See the issue here.