Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), an invasive exotic vine, grows along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, overwhelming trees and other native vegetation. The fast-growing and highly competitive species will be the target of future invasive plant control measures by the National Capital Region Exotic Plant Management Team. Rosa Wilson.
Download a PDF file of this section of this report (412 KB).
The challenge that lies ahead will be to learn how to preserve parks for future generations. In a changing world, what will keep these parks natural and healthy?
—Excerpt from the Natural Resource Challenge:
the National Park Service’s action plan for preserving natural resources
In 1999 the National Park Service articulated its commitment to natural resource preservation in the Natural Resource Challenge. This five-year national program identifies numerous actions needed to sustain park natural resources in the 21st century and has resulted in two substantial budget increases for natural resource programs: $14.3 million in FY 2000 and $15.3 million in FY 2001. Through the strategies outlined in the Challenge and with the increased funding provided by Congress, the National Park Service is stepping up to a new level of resource management and applying the best science to high-priority natural resource management issues affecting parks. As events in 2000 indicate, the Park Service is increasing its capabilities to control invasive vegetation, to maximize scientific collaboration and education opportunities with partners, and to expand and speed up natural resource inventories, among other efforts. This effective program continues to build momentum and rally enthusiasm and support for worthy conservation goals. Through the Challenge the National Park Service is moving forward in protecting the country’s natural heritage for the American people.
Articles
Natural Resource Challenge funds Exotic Plant Management Teams
By Linda Drees and Gary Johnston
Inventory and Monitoring Program benefits from the Natural Resource Challenge
By Gary Williams
CESUs and the inventory and monitoring networks:
A case of good timing
By Kathy Tonnessen, Ron Hiebert, and Larry Norris
Connecting the public, scientists, and resources through learning centers
By Don Neubacher
Sidebars
Four new cooperative ecosystem studies units established
Natural resource project funding increased
The Challenge funds native and exotic species management
Geologic Resources Division expands expertise
Award Winner Profile - Gary Machlis receives Conservation Service Award
This material is from Natural Resource Year in Review--2000, published by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, in May 2000 (publication D-1459)
/YearInReview/yir/yir2000/pages/01_confluence/01_001confluence.html
Last Updated: 06/17/2001
Direct comments on this website to jeff_selleck@nps.gov