The Nice List

First of all, those wonderful rangers and other staff at our national parks, national forests, state parks and the rest who manage to protect and preserve those lands in the face of budget cuts, sometimes overwhelming crowds, occasional idiotic tourons, and the sheer scope of their jobs. I hope Santa brings them a pay raise, a bear-proof garbage container full of gratitude, and the on-going opportunity to stand back, just for a moment, and see what they make possible for the rest of us: a magical assortment of astonishing experiences in nature.

And while it may seem just a tad self-serving, I’ll also give a shout out to the volunteers who help out in those parks—from those who answer the endless questions that visitors always bring, to those who get out to work on the trails and clean up campsites.  Give yourselves a pat on the back and, if you are lucky, a special patch to wear on your sleeve!

Others on the nice list include the organizations that help fund, protect, or advocate for our national lands. They collect data, they fund much-needed improvements, they organize lobbying efforts, and they help make us all more aware of the issues involved and the solutions that are available. We might even include some of the politicians who have worked hard to continue the work of John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt to protect our parks.

And if you are any of the above, or contribute either money or time to any of the above, you’re on the nice list, too.

While there may not be much time left to do so in this year, 2026 is full of possibilities.  Sign up now.