The National Park concept has been described as "America's best idea." Many countries around the world look to the United States as a leader in park and protected area management. At the same time, the National Park Service often learns about innovative practices from other countries' park agencies. In addition, international cooperation is required to preserve numerous species of migratory wildlife that spend only a part of their lives within the boundaries of U.S. |
national parks, and likewise to help protect park resources from threats that may originate from outside park (and U.S.) borders -- air and water pollution and invasive species, for example. For these reasons, the National Park Service has an Office of International Affairs that for over 40 years has worked to facilitate cooperation between the U.S. National Park Service and counterpart agencies around the globe. |
| Photos and Multimedia | ||||
America's Global Treasures - World Heritage in the U.S. |
Powerpoint Presentation - an international volunteers perspective |
Interactive for Kids -
Jr. Ranger Program |
||
 |
 |
|||
| Learn More | |||
| NPS OIA Summaries of Basic Authorities | The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world. To learn more about the National Park Service's legal authority to conduct programs for technical exchange, click here. |
||
| About OIA | The role of the Office of International Affairs is to serve the National Park Service by engaging more fully the talents and available resources of the Park Service for the implementation of its domestic and global missions. It evaluates opportunities and coordinates responses involving the National Park Service in international programs, projects, and activities. It also provides leadership in the fulfillment of U.S. foreign policy objectives through implementation of treaty obligations and other agreements. more... |
||
| Where is the NPS working cooperatively with other countries? | Click your mouse arrow over a region of the world and learn more about the technical assistance projects the NPS has or is undertaking. | ||
| New World Heritage Tentative List Map | Early last year, then Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced his selection of 14 U.S. sites to be included on a new United States World Heritage Tentative List. The 14 properties on the new list will now be eligible to be considered for nomination by the United States to the UNESCO World Heritage List, which recognizes the most significant cultural and natural treasures on the planet. more... |
 |
|
 |
||||||
| Park Flight | Links | WPALF |  |
|||
| International Visitors | Accessibility | Site Index | Contact OIA | |||
| Technical Assistance | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Information Act | |||
