Natural Resource Year in Review—2003, A portrait of the year in natural resource stewardship and science in the National Park System, ISSN 1544-5437
Chapter 0 — Front Matter
Chapter 1— Transforming the National Park System
Chapter 2 — The New Face of Professional Resource Management
Chapter 3 — Inventory and Monitoring Charges Ahead
Chapter 4 - Frontiers for Science and Natural Resource Education
Chapter 5 — Preventing Natural Resource Impairment
Chapter 6 — Restoration
Chapter 7 — Conserving Threatened and Endangered Species
Chapter 8 — Cooperative Conservation
Chapter 9 — Looking Ahead
Chapters
Transforming the National Park System
Introduction
Exotic Plant Management: Nonnative melaleuca under control at Big Cypress National Preserve
Exotic Plant Management Teams: An update on the successful model in action
Natural Resource Challenge evaluated favorably by OMB
ERDAR: Environmental Quality Division’s restoration program gains momentum
Award-winner: George Dickison recognized for GIS contributions
Protection through connection: The Resource Stewardship and Protection Curriculum
Research Learning Centers: Great Lakes Research and Education Center celebrates successful first year
From guests to researchers: The adaptive reuse of McGraw Ranch
Examining Dyke Marsh restoration options: A teacher-scientist partnership in the National Capital Region
Former naval base home to new research learning center at Acadia National Park
Landmark year for Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units
Complete Article List
Utilities Home
Current Issue PDF's
Who's Involved
Archive of Natural Resource Year in Review
Search
Contact Year in Review

Transforming the National Park System
“Present-day management of nature in the parks differs substantially from that in the early decades of national park history—the most fundamental difference being the degree to which science now informs the Service’s natural resource practices.” Richard West Sellars, Preserving Nature in the National Parks: A History
Fran Mainella, Director of the National Park Service, raises her hand in triumph following the cutting of the symbolic last invasive melaleuca tree in Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida.

National Park Service Director Fran Mainella cuts the symbolic “last” melaleuca tree in Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, as forestry technician Billy Snyder looks on at a ceremony held February 4, 2003. Over a period of nearly 20 years the National Park Service and its partners battled the invasive plant species, treating approximately 14 million trees and bringing the species to a level that can now be maintained.

Since its inception in 1999, the Natural Resource Challenge has garnered an approximate increase of $76 million in base funding for natural resource management and research in the national parks. The Challenge is greatly helping to transform the Service into a modern and more effective bureau for the preservation of park natural resources. As reported in this chapter and throughout this publication, the Challenge has enabled NPS participation in Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units and the establishment of monitoring networks, research learning centers, Exotic Plant Management Teams, and other important institutions. Together they are building knowledge of the parks, increasing the effectiveness of resource management strategies, engaging accomplished scientists in park research, and capturing the interest of the public in the requirements for long-term preservation of our national treasures. The articles reflect this exciting evolution and document positive trends in the care of the parks for the future.
NPS Fact
Funding for natural resource management and research in the national parks more than doubled over the last 10 years, from $87.0 million in FY 1994 to $191.0 million in FY 2003. This dramatic increase includes $67.4 million as a result of the Natural Resource Challenge. As a percentage of the budget for the operation of the National Park System (ONPS), natural resource management and research funding rose from 10.4% to 12.2% over this period.
Transforming the National Park System, Introduction
next Download Chapter PDF
Nature Net NPS.gov privacy e-mail editor

last updated 4/13/2004
National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, Natural Resource Program Center, Natural Resource Information Division
Get Acrobat Reader Download PDF