Federal Funding Today Inspires Future Generosity on the National Mall
TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL JOINS NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR august 15 KICK OFF OF WORK TO RESTORE THE TIDAL BASIN SEAWALLS
IMPACT OF FEDERAL INVESTMENT THROUGH GREAT AMERICAN OUTDOORS ACT INSPIRES PRIVATE PHILANTHROPY ON THE NATIONAL MALL
This morning against the backdrop of the iconic Tidal Basin on the National Mall, the clatter of machinery and heavy equipment on the water signaled the beginning of historic work funded by the Great American Outdoors Act that will safeguard this treasured space, its memorials and the more than 1,500 treasured Japanese cherry trees for generations.
The Trust for the National Mall joined the National Park Service to celebrate the driving of the first pile that will provide foundational support of the reconstruction of the seawalls along the Tidal Basin and the Potomac River to address the severe flooding that endangers the cherry trees and this landmark space. The event commemorated the beginning of this long-planned work funded by the federal government and showcased the strength and impact of our public-private partnership with NPS that helps restore, preserve and elevate the National Mall and its historic purpose.
The Trust was honored to join organizations across the country to help advocate for the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. Enacted in 2020, this critical legislation is the single largest targeted investment ever in America's national parks, including $114 million to repair and restore the failing seawalls around the Tidal Basin and along the Potomac River.
Nearly every monument and memorial on the National Mall was built in part by private philanthropy. With the federal government making the historic investment in our national parks through the Great American Outdoors Act, the private sector must also honor its responsibility to preserve and upgrade our national treasures, where our history is remembered, celebrated and honored and where the future is shaped.
As U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland recently shared at our BALL for THE MALL, "Corporate and philanthropic support now plays an increasingly important role in how we care for our national parks."
The Semiquincentennial – the 250th anniversary of American independence coming in 2026–brings new and pressing meaning to our work on the National Mall. It is a reminder of the importance of the National Mall’s historic purpose as a symbol of American democracy and independence, and unity. We have ambitious plans with the National Park Service inspired by this historic American milestone -- including the restoration of Constitution Gardens and the b56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial, reimagining Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument as America's Center Stage and creating a digital platform for educators, students and all visitors that will provide access to quality content and experiences about the National Mall – both virtually and on-site -- to connect more people to America’s Front Yard.
Thank you to the U.S. Congress for doing its part, helping us elevate and guarantee the purpose and future of the National Mall. And thank you to our many generous philanthropic and corporate partners who make our important work with the National Park Service possible. Federal funding and private philanthropy are crucial to preserving this iconic treasure.
We hope that our work to commemorate America's 250th on the National Mall, and the foundational work supported by federal funding that commenced today will inspire you to get involved and make a gift to support our critical work. Your support today will help ensure a vibrant and engaging National Mall for generations.
