Get involved with World Parks Congress 2003. (Tip-Off).

More than 44,000 protected areas provide people around the world with life-sustaining natural, spiritual and recreational values. This legacy, however, is far from secure. Constituting 10 percent of the earth's land surface, these places are of such high value to people and their livelihoods that they are at risk as never before, increasing demands for food, fiber and other commodities from the land and sea are placing pressures on remaining wildlands and the boundaries of existing protected areas.

The 5th World Parks Congress will examine the challenges and opportunities facing protected areas in coming decades. It will explore and propose new and innovative policies, strategies and practices for adapting these areas to a world of rapid change.

Many NRPA members are active in conservation at the international level as well as here in the U.S. All of the association's membership would benefit from the global perspective taken by the World Parks Congress and learning how to apply that perspective at home. Although global, the congress emphasizes delivering practical, field-based tools to parks and recreation professionals.

The congress is seeking NRPA member input in a number of areas, including developing the program. Bob Stanton, former director of the National Park Service, is the congress ambassador and would like to hear from interested members. He can be reached at 202-518-4826 or [e-mail].

The congress is staged under the auspices of The World Conservation Union and will take place Sept. 8-17, 2003, in Durban, South Africa. For more information, go to www.wcpa.iucn.org.