Parks, nature preserves, and open spaces belong to everyone in the community, providing people with opportunities for exercise and education, and protecting essential habitats for plants and wildlife.
While parks are broadly popular, governments aren’t always eager to provide the support needed to keep them available.
Enter the “Friends of the Park” nonprofits: There organizations help their local parks and green spaces by raising funds, providing volunteers, seeking grants, community outreach, advocacy, and more.
Like all nonprofits, these organizations count on their insurance provider for the coverage they need to stay open themselves.
So, what do these nonprofits need most from their insurance?
We talked with several “Friends of the Park” nonprofits about what they need most from their insurance coverage — and how that coverage helps them keep their local parks available to their communities.
In their own words…
Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (Ashland, OR)
“We connect people to the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument through education, stewardship, and advocacy. By inspiring care for its rich biodiversity and cultural history, we help protect this unique landscape for generations to come.
Our key programs include:
- Hike & Learns: Guided educational hikes exploring the monument’s ecology, history, and culture.
- Friends Research Fund: Grants for student research, culminating in the annual Monument Research Symposium.
- Summer Interpretive Ranger Program: Seasonal rangers lead hikes, support youth programs, and share information with the public.
- Monument Days with The Crest: Nature camp-style environmental education days for local kids.
- Volunteer Stewardship Projects: From fence pulls to beaver monitoring, volunteers engage the community in hands-on conservation.
- Community Science & Monitoring: Projects like beaver surveys that connect volunteers with meaningful ecological research.
- Advocacy & Outreach: Keeping the public informed and involved in land management issues, including Resource Management Plan updates.”
— Daniel Collay, Executive Director, Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch (Minden, NV)
“The mission of Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch is to protect and share the resources of the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park to promote understanding of Carson Valley’s agricultural history and to provide arts and cultural opportunities as a public park.
We provide interpretive and other visitor services; manage an extensive artifact collection; present concerts, Chautauqua, and other cultural programs; provide educational opportunities for local youth, including field trips and classroom presentations; and fund historic building restoration and preservation.”
— Mark Jensen, Executive Director, Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch
The Alliance for Morris County Parks (Morris Township, NJ)
“The Morris Park Alliance provides vital support to the Morris County park system, ensuring residents have continued access to green open spaces, enrichment programs, and educational resources that foster personal and community wellness, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
The Morris Park Alliance provides value-added enhancements to the parks and programs — including park amenities, program sponsorships, community partnerships, and promotional support.”
— Denise Lanza, Executive Director, The Alliance for Morris County Parks
What did these “Friends of the Park” nonprofits need most from their insurer?
Protection for unique risks with outdoor education.
“Our most important need when seeking insurance coverage was ensuring the safety and protection of our staff, volunteers, and program participants — especially during outdoor education events and stewardship projects in remote areas of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
We needed liability coverage that matched the unique risks of field-based, public-facing work.”
— Daniel Collay, Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
Liability coverage for operations in public parks.
“Our most important need was liability coverage, due to the organization’s operations at a public park.”
— Mark Jensen, Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch
Coverage that meets the requirements of partnerships.
“We had to support our volunteer board and protect the organization during events. The insurance was a requirement of partnering with the Morris County Park Commission.”
— Denise Lanza, The Alliance for Morris County Parks
How did these “Friends of the Park” nonprofits hear about NIA?
Recommendations from the conservation nonprofit community.
“We heard about NIA through word of mouth in the conservation nonprofit community.
Several peer organizations recommended NIA because of their focus on nonprofits and understanding of field-based programming.
After reviewing our needs and speaking with a representative, it was clear they were a good fit for our mission and work.”
— Daniel Collay, Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
An agent’s recommendation.
“NIA has been our first and only insurance company, it was selected by a former insurance agent.”
— Mark Jensen, Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch
Word-of-mouth from other nonprofits.
“The Alliance for Morris County Parks was introduced to NIA through word-of-mouth from other nonprofit organizations.”
— Denise Lanza, The Alliance for Morris County Parks
Since becoming NIA members, how has that relationship helped these “Friends of the Park” organizations?
A steady, thoughtful partner.
“Before working with NIA, our biggest challenge was finding insurance that truly understood the scope of our work, especially outdoor programs in partnership with federal agencies.
Some providers didn’t cover activities like guided hikes or volunteer stewardship days, or they offered policies that were either too generic or too expensive for our small budget. Navigating those limitations made it harder to grow our programs with confidence.
NIA has been a steady, thoughtful partner: Responsive, clear, and tuned-in to the real risks and realities of field-based programs. We trust them to have our back.
We appreciate that NIA understands the unique needs of nonprofits like ours. Their team is responsive, knowledgeable, and easy to work with — especially when it comes to outdoor programming and volunteer engagement.
One key benefit has been the peace of mind in knowing our coverage truly fits our mission. We also value the clarity of their materials and the flexibility to scale as we grow.”
— Daniel Collay, Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
Communication and regular updates.
“Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch is glad to have access to the various training and education opportunities provided by NIA. We have used NIA’s tool to develop a risk management plan.”
— Mark Jensen, Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch
Easy communications and reasonable fees.
“With NIA as our insurance provider, it’s easy to connect with a representative and the current fees are pretty reasonable.
We have attended webinars and have considered the BOARDnetWORK tool.”
— Denise Lanza, The Alliance for Morris County Parks
“Friends of the Park” nonprofits deserve insurance that’s got their back.
Why do “Friends of the Park” nonprofits prefer NIA as their insurer?
It’s easy: Your mission keeps your local parks, nature preserves, and green spaces clean, safe, and open — NIA is there to help that mission succeed.
NIA’s team works diligently to provide the coverage “Friends of the Park” nonprofits need, at a price they can afford, and timely communications, providing insurance they can count on — and some much-needed peace of mind.
Keeping your community parks open, their programs going, and their teams fully staffed is a full-time commitment for your nonprofit. With NIA in your corner, you get an insurance provider that won’t take a hike when you need them most.
