News

One of the USA’s best-known RV companies Winnebago Industries has strengthened its commitment to preservation and restoration by agreeing a multi-year partnership with the National Park Foundation (NPF) to help create new career pathways in national parks. In aligning with NPF’s efforts to inspire and diversify the next generation of outdoor leaders, Winnebago will fund critical preservation and restoration projects in parks across the country.

This year, Winnebago Industries’ and the Winnebago Industries Foundation will focus on service corps programs, which provide young people, ages 18-35, with hands-on work experience in America’s national parks. Participants will learn new construction and preservation skills, while providing parks with critical infrastructure improvements. Service corps programs facilitate connections to the parks, provide on-the-job training, and help to create more opportunities for diverse leaders to experience careers in the outdoors.

Winnebago Industries president and CEO, Michael Happe, said: “Winnebago Industries is uniquely positioned to help bring more people to national parks safely and comfortably, thanks to our wide array of outdoor lifestyle products. However, the partnership with the National Park Foundation runs much deeper. Together we aim to grow equitable outdoor spaces by engaging the next generation of women and outdoor enthusiasts of colour with meaningful career pathways in national parks. It is an honour to support the work of the National Park Foundation in pursuit of our common goals.”

As part of the partnership with NPF, Winnebago and the Winnebago Industries Foundation will accelerate efforts started two years ago to raise awareness about the more than 400 parks available to visitors, including those less travelled. The Winnebago Industries Foundation also provides support for NPF’s Open OutDoors for Kids program, which offers hands-on learning opportunities for students to experience the beauty, history, and culture of our parks through field trips and educational resources. 

NPF president and CEO, Will Shafroth, said: “Winnebago Industries’ support is critical to the National Park Foundation’s efforts to deepen people’s connections to parks and inspire future generations of park stewards. Together we are helping to create more equitable outdoors spaces, including where we live, work, travel and play.”