Imagine an independent watchdog for the national parks. Many readers now think of National Parks Traveler as that watchdog, and more, as one-stop shopping for the latest park news. Recent stories on the Traveler, about Yellowstone bison, National Park Service management issues, and the concessions business all touched on key issues across the National Park System, issues that largely are being overlooked by other media outlets.

No other editorially independent media outlet performs such a role on a daily basis.

In our first decade of existence, we have not asked for much, but now we must. If you love the parks—and love these pages—we ask that you subscribe or donate to the Traveler beginning now.

The Traveler was launched with the goal of educating the general public about America's National Park System -- both how to get the most enjoyment out of it and to inform readers about issues critical to its operation -- with the hope of building more park lovers and advocates. Our only focus is national parks.

Along with our articles and features, we occasionally offer our view of how the national parks are being managed. You might agree with us on these points, or vehemently disagree. And that's fine. In fact, we hope to spur a reaction. At the end of the day, we hope our content makes you think both about the wonders of the National Park System and the conflicts within it, and then come together to discuss these matters in a constructive fashion. What other website not only offers that opportunity for the parks community, but encourages it?

While there have been many authors appearing on our pages, there is just one full-time individual who handles the editorial, sales, marketing, and technical aspects that go into keeping this website not just online, but with fresh editorial content every day of the year. And there are 409 units in the National Park System, and about as many groups and organizations that have their own important issues, whether they involve bison in Yellowstone, ORV access at Big Cypress National Preserve, NPS management issues, mountain bike access, Florida panther survival, visiting the parks, and on and on and on.

Due to our limited resources -- both from human capital and financial standpoints -- there is not always the time nor resources to dig deeply into each and every story that merits it. We can't always drop everything to dissect the many factors that go into bison management in Yellowstone, the issues behind the low morale among NPS employees, or the pluses or minuses of adding or subtracting from the National Park System. As a result, many times we try to alert folks to what is going on and, when time and priorities allow, revisit an issue and dig into it.

We did that last year with the threat oil trains pose to national parks, a problem that reaches from coast to coast.

We also looked into the problems increasing visitation are having on parks.

And the need for a marine reserve zone at Biscayne National Park.

And the rebirth of Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique.

And whether a national park should be established in northern Maine.

And there are more examples, from the joys of visiting small parks such as Fossil Butte National Monument and how to explore Virgin Islands National Park in just three days to even where to enjoy spring skiing in the park system. We have written about the Park Service's concessions problem, questioned the National Park Foundation's $2.5 million deal with Budweiser, and drew no small measure of criticism for asking that Congress fund the national parks it creates.

Trying to juggle all these various issues can be akin to a fool's errand, but we do the best we can. The alternative would be to post one or two stories a week and ignore both the richness and the significance of the parks and the myriad issues tied to them. That approach no doubt would disappoint the vast majority of our readers.

The Traveler relies heavily on reader contributions -- that's right, we hope you value your daily dose of national park news at least as much as a cup or two of Starbucks or Caribou Coffee -- to stay online. Though there's been a longstanding view held by many that "if it's on the Internet, it should be free," there's nothing free about running a website, especially one with a daily editorial mission.

Those ads you see running on the right-hand column of the site? For the most part, they come from Google and pay us pennies a month.

Fortunately, there are some businesses and groups that support our mission; you can find them in the drop-down menus for Friends of the Parks and Visiting the Parks, and we encourage you to check them out and support them. If you still want to visit Yosemite this winter, check out the page for Yosemite's Scenic Wonders, a vacation home rental business that currently is offering steep low-season discounts. If you love Grand Teton National Park, see what the Grand Teton National Park Foundation is up to. Friends of Acadia has supported a great many programs at Acadia National Park, and you can learn about some of them on their page. Too, Friends of Saguaro National Park has done great work in helping develop the next generation of park stewards. We will be adding more businesses and organizations to these pages in the coming weeks and months, so check these sections out from time to time.

But at the end of the day, reader support is vital to the future of the Traveler. If every one of our readers chipped in a dollar a year, we wouldn't have to ask for your continued support. But the vast, vast majority don't. For those who have signed up for NPT Membership in recent weeks and months, we thank you deeply. For those who have yet to support the Traveler, yet stop by regularly to follow national park news and happenings, we hope you'll consider joining us with a financial commitment so we can continue to grow the site content. While a membership currently goes for $9.95 for an entire year, think of what your local newspaper subscription costs on an annual and considering matching that.

For those new to the Traveler, here's what we offer:

* Daily news from around the National Park System, with occasional posts from parks outside the United States.

* Fireside Reads. A constantly growing series of book reviews.

* Photography in the Parks. Expert columns that touch not only on where to take pictures in the parks, but how to get the perfect picture.

* Birding in the Parks. While he hasn't spotted an Ivory-billed Woodpecker yet, Kirby Adams is constantly on the lookout, and points out where in the National Park System to look for birds.

* Traveler's Views. Our take on goings on impacting the National Park System.

* Reader Forums. Raise a question about parks, or answer one. Debate and discuss issues in the parks, offer suggestions on hiking and camping. The topics are up to you.

Where else on the Internet can you find this type of parks-specific content, all in one place, every day of the year? Nowhere that we know of.