The federal government, specifically that National Park Service has the responsibility to promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations, specified by such means and measures as to conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks, monument, and reservation. The main goal of the NPS is to ensure that the National Parks remain unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.
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"The primary duty of the National Park Service is to protect the national parks and national monuments under its jurisdiction and keep them as nearly in their natural state as this can be done in view of the fact that access to them must be provided in order that they may be used and enjoyed. All other activities of the bureau must be secondary (but not incidental) to this fundamental function relating to care and protection of all areas subject to its control." |
National Park Service by the Numbers
Data provided by the National Park Service (collected in 2008)
The National Park Service manages the almost 400 sites in the National Park system covering 84.6 million acres, or 3.4 percent of U.S. land. 79 million acres of this is NPS stewardship land, and the remaining lands are not federally owned, but managed by the NPS. (AllGov)
The National Park Service preserves the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
To achieve this mission, the National Park Service adheres to the following guiding principles:
To achieve this mission, the National Park Service adheres to the following guiding principles:
- Excellent Service: Providing the best possible service to park visitors and partners.
- Productive Partnerships: Collaborating with federal, state, tribal, and local governments, private organizations, and businesses to work toward common goals.
- Citizen Involvement: Providing opportunities for citizens to participate in the decisions and actions of the National Park Service.
- Heritage Education: Educating park visitors and the general public about their history and common heritage.
- Outstanding Employees: Empowering a diverse workforce committed to excellence, integrity, and quality work.
- Employee Development: Providing developmental opportunities and training so employees have the , "tools to do the job" safely and efficiently.
- Wise Decisions: Integrating social, economic, environmental, and ethical considerations into the decision -making process.
- Effective Management: Instilling a performance management philosophy that fosters creativity, focuses on results, and requires accountability at all levels.
- Research and Technology: Incorporating research findings and new technologies to improve work practices, products, and services.
- Shared Capabilities: Sharing technical information and expertise with public and private land managers.