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NPS administrative histories look at the history of federal parks and the National Park Service as public programs and as a public trust. They analyze individual parks and their establishment and administration, as well as NPS programs and policies.
As a government agency, the NPS has reflected and participated in national discussions about the environment and its relationship to society. Parks provide specific evidence about the history of conservation and management of natural resources and about the economic, ecological, and aesthetic dimensions of the public lands. Parks illuminate changes in the very concept of nature and wilderness, the economic interests involved in the setting aside and development of public lands, and ways Americans experience nature and wilderness in shifting patterns of tourism and recreation.
Park managers bear significant responsibilities for decisions about park resources that affect how future generations will see this multifaceted natural and cultural heritage. Administrative histories inform them about the decision-making of their predecessors in the NPS, and about how NPS decisions have reflected and reflect broader social, economic, cultural, and political trends and interests.
Research possibilities abound in park-related aspects of the history of ideas about nature and culture, and the sometimes-contending interests of people who have influenced and implemented federal programs for the National Park System. We are seeking partnerships, advice, and assistance from park-goers, scholars, and others with interests in parks, conservation and preservation. As of June 2001, only about 60 of the 388 parks administered by the NPS had current administrative histories. NPS national programs for archeology, concessions, land acquisition, and recreation also present research opportunities.
Source: National Park Service
Foundation and philanthropic support for national parks from around the Web.
When World War II ended, the Rosie the Riveter Home Front National Historical Park Visitor Education Center in Richmond, Calif., was closed. But that doesn't mean you can't visit the elementary...more
It's that time of year again: the time of year when many of us crank up our air-con and head out for a dip in the pool. But what if we told you that summer is also a great time to get outside and...more
Poachers in Tsavo West National Park in Kenya have killed two of the country's rhinos in the space of a week, the BBC reports. A female northern white rhino named Najin and a male northern white...more
If you're in North Yorkshire, England, and see a bunch of talking lampposts, you may not realize they're actually talking about flooding. That's because they're part of a project called Ousewem,...more
Local artist selected for commissioned arts program at Michigan national park.Kasey Koski has created a number of public art pieces in the valley, including the 11-foot tall yeti sculpture at Mission...more
Lassen Volcanic National Park Receives Grant from National Park Foundation Bolstering Youth Camping Program.The grant, part of the ParkVentures program, will aid in the park's youth camping...more
The National Park Service announced it's ending its philanthropic agreement with nonprofit Georgetown Heritage.D.C.'s government paid for the construction of the canal boat and Georgetown Heritage,...more
"Shenandoah is one of numerous National Park Service sites across the country that have Artist-in-Residence programs to inspire artists to create and share art that not only motivates and encourages...more
Senators called on the Biden Administration to establish a national monument in recognition of Rosenwald's work.National Park Service began conducting a Special Resource Study (SRS) on the life and...more
When MacKenzie King was working for a conservation social enterprise in Thailand, she was called to rescue two king cobras that had fallen into a meditation center bathroom. "I ended up standing...more
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