N is for National Parks

Tim Iverson

(12/2019) Editor’s Note: This is a start of a new series on our National Parks. Over what I fully expect to be the next couple of years Tim will systematically introduce you to the major, and minor gems in our National Park System. Our hope is that series not only enlightens you on special aspects of the individual parks, but to motivate you to go out and see them for yourselves! We hope you enjoy the series.

The National Park Service manages a total of 419 sites throughout each of the 50 states and territories within America. Each one has been set aside because of their significance to the nation. Over the next several months we’ll take a deeper look into one of the many sites managed by the National Park Service. First, we’ll take a look at what the agency is.

The emblem of the National Park Service is an arrowhead bearing the images of a bison, tree, mountain, and lake. Each item, including the arrowhead itself, represents different resources that have been entrusted to the agency to preserve and protect. The bison represents all animals, as the tree represents all plants. National parks are home to many plants and animals, some of which are rare or endangered. In some rare circumstances the entire species of plant or animal may exist entirely within the boundaries of a national park. The mountain in the background represents all landforms within the NPS system.

Many parks have mountains, some parks are entirely mountains, such as Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) or Mount Rainier National Park (Washington). However, there are many more landscapes that are equally represented and protected within the system, like Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) or Death Valley National Park (California). The foreground of the arrowhead symbol holds a small lake that represents all bodies of water. National Parks also include national wild & scenic rivers, national lakeshores and seashores. Biscayne National Park (Florida) is nearly 95% water and is home to precious coral reefs and tropical fish just outside the bustling metropolis of Miami. Finally, the arrowhead itself represents all the cultural and historic resources. These are artifacts or places that have been set aside because of the significance of the events or people associated with them. Antietam National Battlefield (Maryland) or Brown vs. the Board of Education National Historic Site (Kansas) tell stories we should not forget. The battlefields, monuments, and historic sites all preserve the cultural and historical identity of America. They hold some of our best moments and some truly important learning opportunities.

Of the 419 sites managed by the National Park Service, 61 of them bear the title “National Park.” The rest are a compilation of different designations including national preserves, recreation areas, parkways, and more. However, the official name is irrelevant. They are all legally the same and managed in much the same way by the National Park Service. Parks are created in one of two ways - legislation or proclamation. Enabling legislation from Congress can create a national park. The Antiquities Act of 1906 allows a president with a proclamation to declare a place a national monument in order to protect the natural or cultural resources within. Most park service sites have been created through legislation. However, since the passage of the Antiquities Act all presidents have used the authority except Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush.

Yellowstone National Park is the first national park both in the United States and the world. Founded in 1872 and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant, Yellowstone instantly became an icon and a model for the rest that followed suit. Yellowstone actually predates the agency by which it’s managed. Several more national parks came into being before it became clear that a specific agency was needed to address the problems and management issues that comes with managing vast amounts of public land and resources.

The Organic Act of 1916, signed by President Woodrow Wilson, created the National Park Service. One of four main land management agencies (US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management) the National Park Service has the unique mission “...to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Each agency is called to specific tasks, but the national parks are entirely dedicated to, by, and for the people now and into posterity. They’ve been called one of our best ideas and generally depict us at our best, truly representing the plurality of the nation it’s been tasked to tell the story of.

With over 20,000 employees during peak season, park rangers are the most visible face of the agency. Aside from the iconic flat hat park rangers wear many metaphorical hats. They are conservationists, law enforcement, rescue and medical professionals, educators, storytellers, and more. Skilled tradespeople like carpenters, electricians, masons, and other maintenance are responsible for the infrastructure. Accountants, human resources, IT professionals, and more take care of the administration. Scientists like biologists, archeologists, geologists, historians, and countless others study and manage the natural and cultural resources. Envious visitors frequently ask what it’s like to live in and work for the national parks. The honest truth is that if you’re interested in public lands there is a job for whatever it is that you do or want to do and in places all over the country. We’re paid in sunrises and sunsets. We travel, live, and work in some of the most beautiful and significant places our country has to offer and there’s not a day that goes by that the privilege is not lost on us.

Over the course of the coming articles specific parks will be featured in no particular order, rhyme, or reason. National parks belong to each and every citizen. Most parks are free and for those that aren’t passes may be available if you qualify. Senior passes are available to those 62 or older, there are passes for active duty military and their families, individuals with permanent disabilities qualify for the Access pass, and current fourth grade students are offered the Every Kid Outdoors pass.

Woody Guthrie sang, “This land is your land, this land is my land. This land was made for you and me.” He may not have meant public land or national parks, but the sentiment is still true enough. They are yours.