Environmental Resources CD Unit Natural Resources

Problem Area Outdoor Recreation

Lesson Understanding the National Park System

What are Some Examples of National Parks and Historic Sites in the United States?

Learning Objectives  Understand the history and purpose of the National Park System.  Understand how National Park System units are designated.

Terms  Affiliated Areas  National Historical Park  National Historic Site  National Memorial  National Monument  National Park  National Preserve  Organic Act  Parkway

How was the National Park System Established and What is its Purpose?  In 1872, Congress established Yellowstone National Park in the territories of Montana and Wyoming as a public park for the benefit and enjoyment of the people and placed it under exclusive control of the Secretary of the Interior.

How was the National Park System Established and What is its Purpose?  Yellowstone National Park was the first public park and its founding began a worldwide park movement.  Currently more than 100 nations contain some 1,200 national parks.

National Park System Development  On August 25th, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act, which formed the National Park Service.  The National Park Service was created as a new federal bureau in the Department of the Interior and it was responsible for protecting the 40 national parks and monuments in existence at that time and those yet to be established.

National Park System Development  The Organic Act states that “the Service shall promote and regulate the use of Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations...to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such a manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”

National Park System Development  Today the National Park Service of the United States is comprised of over 380 national parks, and other designated monuments and areas, which cover more than 83 million acres in 49 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands. National Parks have over 250 million visitors, annually.

National Park System Development  National Parks in the United States are created by acts of Congress.  National Parks are “areas of national significance distinguished by superlative natural scenery, set aside for preservation as nearly as possible in unimpaired condition and dedicated to the use and inspiration of the people.”

How are National Park System Units Designated?  The National Park Service consists of more than 380 areas.  The areas can be classified into three categories: natural areas, historical areas, and recreational areas

Categories of National Park Service Sites  National Park: National parks are large natural places that a have a wide variety of attributes. Consumptive activities, such as hunting or fishing are typically not allowed.  National Monument: The President can proclaim landmarks, structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest on land owned or controlled by the government to be national monuments.

Fireworks Over National Monuments in Washington D.C.

 National Preserve: National preserves are areas that have characteristics associated with national parks, but Congress has permitted activities such as hunting, trapping, and oil exploration. Categories of National Park Service Sites

 National Historic Site: A national historical site is a site that contains a single historical feature.  National Historical Park: National historic parks are historical areas that extend beyond single properties or buildings.

 National Memorial: A national memorial is commemorative of a historical person or episode. Categories of National Park Service Sites

 National Battlefield: Sites in this category include national battlefield parks, national battlefield sites, and national military parks.  National Cemetery: There are 14 national cemeteries and all of them are associated with another unit of the National Park Service. Categories of National Park Service Sites

Arlington National Cemetery

 National Recreational Area: There are currently 17 national recreational areas within the National Park Service.  Twelve of which are centered on large reservoirs and emphasize water recreation.  Five of the national recreational areas are located in major population areas and combine open spaces with the preservation of significant historic resources and natural areas to provide outdoor recreation for large numbers of people. Categories of National Park Service Sites

 National Seashore: Ten national seashores have been established on the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Coasts. Categories of National Park Service Sites

 National Lakeshore: National lakeshores are similar to seashores and are all on the Great Lakes  National River: This category contains several variations such as: national river and recreational area, national scenic river, wild river, and etc. Categories of National Park Service Sites

 National Parkway: National parkways are intended for scenic motoring along a protected corridor and they often connect cultural sites.  A parkway refers to the roadway and the parkland paralleling the roadway. Categories of National Park Service Sites

 National Trail: National scenic trails and national historic trails are the titles give to these linear parklands authorized under the National Trails System Act of Categories of National Park Service Sites

 Affiliated Areas: includes a variety of locations in the U.S. and Canada that preserve significant properties outside the National Park Service, not owned by the federal government.  Other Designations have unique titles or combinations of titles such as the White House and Prince William Forest Park. Categories of National Park Service Sites

Review / Summary  How was the National Park System established and what is its purpose?  How are National Park System units designated?