Ways to support
Ways to support your public lands
For more than 75 years, Black Hills Parks and Forests Association has funded the education, conservation, and visitor services that federal budgets do not cover at seven public lands. Here is how you can help: become a member, shop the park stores, volunteer, or give.
Where we fit
What your support pays for
BHPFA is the nonprofit cooperating association for these lands. We run the park stores, teach field programs, and fund the work rangers and educators cannot get funded any other way. Your support fills the gaps left by federal funding.
- Junior Ranger programsActivity books and programs at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Scotts Bluff, Agate Fossil Beds, and the Black Hills National Forest.
- Distance learningRangers beamed into classrooms across the country, like Wind Cave National Park’s distance-learning programming.
- Trail work and visitor servicesTrail maintenance and the front-country help visitors rely on across all seven partner sites.
- Cultural programsLakota cultural programming and tribal consultation for exhibits at Wind Cave National Park.
- Youth and outdoor educationHomeschool Nature Adventures, our SheJumps partnership, and hands-on programs that get kids outside.
Choose your way in
Four ways to make a difference
Pick the one that fits. Every one of them ends up in the same place: the parks and forests you love.
Best value
Become a member
From $30 a year
15% off in every park store, early word on workshops, and dues that fund field trips and Junior Ranger programs. It pays for itself in a couple of store visits.
See membership levelsPurchase with a purpose
Shop the park stores
Every visit helps
We run the bookstores inside the visitor centers, and shopping there is one of the biggest ways this small nonprofit gets funded. A share of every sale goes back to our public land partners.
Shop the ParksGive your time
Volunteer
A few hours
Trail and habitat work days, event help, and visitor programs across the sites. We match you to your skills and your schedule.
See opportunitiesOne-time or monthly
Give a gift
Any amount
A direct gift funds the projects that need it most. BHPFA is a 501(c)(3), so your gift is tax-deductible.
Make a donationSupport the places you love
Members shop at 15% off
Membership pays for itself in a cart or two, and your dues do the same work every purchase does: fund the parks.
Why it matters
Small nonprofit, big footprint
Proceeds support education, conservation, and visitor services at BHPFA partner parks and forests.
1946Supporting public lands since
7Public lands funded
15%Member discount, every store
100%Of proceeds support programs
More ways to help
Other ways to give
- Planned and legacy giftsInclude a bequest to BHPFA in your will or trust. Families can also start a memorial fund campaign on our website.
- Adopt a bison or batOur adoption programs fund bison research at Wind Cave National Park and bat research at Jewel Cave National Monument.
- Give by checkMake it out to Black Hills Parks and Forests Association and mail to 26611 US Hwy 385, Hot Springs, SD 57747.
- Shop online or in the parksA portion of every sale goes back to our public land partners. Shop the Parks
Want the receipts?See the projects your support has funded on our public land partners page, or read the 2024 Annual Report.
Donation wish list
Things we actually need
Not everything we need comes in dollars. If you can help with an item on this list, we would love to hear from you.
Operations
- Organization vehicle ($60,000)
- Office space in the southern Black Hills for 1 to 5 employees
- Office Depot gift cards
Education and volunteers
- Binoculars and spotting scopes
- Wildlife skulls, antlers, and pelts
To give an itemEmail Jason Gray at [email protected] and we will sort out the details.
Good to know
Common questions
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes. Black Hills Parks and Forests Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 46-6017180. One-time and recurring donations are tax-deductible, and your emailed receipt is your record. For membership dues, keep your receipt and check with your tax advisor about the deductible portion.
Where does my money go?
Proceeds support education, conservation, and visitor services at BHPFA partner parks and forests. In practice that means Junior Ranger books, distance-learning programs, trail work, and cultural programming at the seven sites.
How is BHPFA different from the National Park Service?
The Park Service and Forest Service manage the land and staff the sites. We are the nonprofit partner that runs the bookstores inside the visitor centers and funds education and conservation. Your support pays for the programs public budgets do not cover.
How do I renew or check my membership status?
Renew any time on the membership page. Not sure whether your membership is current? Email Jason Gray at [email protected] and he will check for you.
Can I give once instead of joining?
Yes. A one-time or monthly gift goes straight to the programs. Give on the donation page, or mail a check to the Hot Springs address above.
Get involved
Ready to help?
Come to a program, lend a hand, or back the work with a gift. Any of it keeps these places open and alive.