National Park Service

The National Park Service: A Monumental Task

Imagine a vast network of protected lands stretching across America, each one a testament to our nation’s natural and cultural heritage. This is the National Park Service (NPS), an agency that has been safeguarding these treasures for over a century. How did it all begin? The NPS was born in 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act, but its roots trace back to the visionary ideas of George Catlin and the establishment of Yellowstone as America’s first national park in 1872.

A Legacy of Preservation

The NPS manages over 433 units covering more than 85 million acres, a staggering expanse that spans from Alaska to Florida. These parks are not just scenic wonders; they are living museums, each with its own unique story to tell. From the rugged landscapes of Yosemite to the historical sites of Gettysburg, every park has a tale worth exploring.

From Concept to Reality

The journey from concept to reality was not without challenges. The Reorganization Act of 1933, signed by President Herbert Hoover, allowed for the transfer of national monuments between departments. This led to significant changes in park management, particularly under Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency. How did these shifts shape the NPS we know today?

The RAD Framework: Adapting to Change

In 2012, the NPS Advisory Board Science Committee published a groundbreaking report titled ‘Revisiting Leopold: Resource Stewardship in the National Parks.’ This document introduced the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework as a tool for managing ecosystems facing rapid change. The RAD approach offers three options:

• Resist: Maintain or restore ecosystem processes based on historical conditions.
• Accept: Allow natural changes without intervention.
• Direct: Actively shape the ecosystem towards desired new conditions.

The RAD framework acknowledges that traditional management methods may no longer be sufficient in an era of intensifying global change. It encourages a more flexible and adaptive approach to resource stewardship, ensuring that parks can continue to thrive despite environmental challenges.

Managing the National Park System

The NPS manages approximately 85.1 million acres across various designations, each with its own unique purpose. From national parks and monuments to military parks and battlefields, these units tell a diverse array of stories. The smallest park, Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, covers less than 0.01 acres, while the largest, New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, spans over 1 million acres.

Popular Parks and Economic Impact

The NPS received over 325 million recreation visits in 2023, with the top 10% of parks handling more than 64% of all visits. While most sites do not charge entrance fees, some popular areas have entrance fees that vary in cost. In 2015, over 15 million visitors spent a night in national park units, with tent campers being the largest group.

The NPS had an annual budget of $4.085 billion in 2019 and an estimated $12 billion maintenance backlog. The Great American Outdoors Act reduced this backlog by $9.5 billion. The NPS budget includes discretionary spending for direct park operations, special initiatives, stewardship, education, professional excellence, and youth programs.

Partnerships and Programs

The NPS partners with various organizations to enhance its mission. The Student Conservation Association, Corps Network, Youth Conservation Corps, and Public Land Corps are just a few of the many programs that support young people in conservation efforts. Special divisions like the Archeology Program, Historic American Buildings Survey, National Register of Historic Places, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, Challenge Cost Share Program, Federal Lands to Parks, Hydropower Relicensing Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, National Trails System, Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, and more contribute to the NPS’s comprehensive approach.

Conclusion

The National Park Service is a testament to our commitment to preserving America’s natural and cultural heritage. From its humble beginnings in 1916 to today, the NPS has evolved to meet new challenges while maintaining its core mission of stewardship and public enjoyment. As we continue to face global changes, the RAD framework offers a flexible approach to managing these precious lands for future generations.