Parks Stewardship Forum

The 250th birthday of the United States has stimulated a great amount of discussion and debate regarding the founding ideals of our nation and the extent to which it has (and often has not) lived up to those ideals over its history. Despite acknowledging our nation’s shortcomings, there has been broad (if not quite so universal anymore) agreement that it is those ideals which define us and continue to serve as a guiding star and a measuring stick for progress toward a more perfect union. I see the US National Park Service (NPS) in a similar light—the agency’s organic act, subsequent legislation, management policies, and official mission statement and values have together formed an organization with one of the most noble missions (or set of ideals) of any in the world, including a specific call to work internationally. Much like the US as a whole, the NPS mission and ideals are now challenged by an administration that has frequently shown itself to be at best lukewarm in supporting fundamental American and NPS values. More than most government agencies, NPS and the United States are inextricably linked in the world’s eyes: much as NPS has served to enhance the American brand, the perception of the United States internationally impacts the extent to which NPS can be viewed as a global leader. I believe that the current crisis, which has led to numerous initiatives to reimagine the future of conservation at home and abroad, could ultimately bring NPS closer to its highest ideals than ever before.