2013 National Park System Advisory Board Report

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Engaging Independent Perspectives for a 21st-Century National Park System

2013 National Park System Advisory Board Report

Download the Full Report (PDF)

In 2013, with the National Park Service Centennial on the horizon, the NPSAB began to seize a great opportunity to connect all Americans with the nation's most special natural and cultural resources. To advance the priority objectives of the NPS as it started to strategize about its next century of service, the National Park System Advisory Board enlisted the involvement of a distinguished group of more than 100 outside subject matter experts to help address specific work.

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After receiving NPS Director Jarvis' request in 2010 to address the priorities of stewardship, education, relevancy, and the NPS workforce, the National Park System Advisory Board focused on separate tasks designed to:

Foster Resource Stewardship

1. Plan for a Future National Park System

Offer guidance for developing a new National Park System plan.
Lead: Gretchen Long
Links:

• Task 1 Summary (PDF)
• National Park System Advisory Board Planning Committee Report (PDF)
• Appendix A - Where the Parks Are (And Are Not): A Comparative Analysis by State (PDF)
• Appendix B - Natural Resources Gap Analysis: Conservation Tools for National Parks System Management in a Changing World (PDF)
• Appendix C - Cultural Resources Subcommittee Report (PDF)
• Appendix D - Large Landscape Conservation Case Studies (PDF)
• Appendix E - Notes on New Models for the National Park System (PDF)
• Appendix F - Urban Sub Group Report (PDF)

2. Recommend National Historic Landmarks (NHLs)

Expand work to recommend a broader, richer representation of America's story in the designation of NHLs.
Lead: Ronald M. James
Links:

• Task 2 Summary (PDF)
• National Historic Landmarks Committee Report, Dec 2012 (PDF)
• National Historic Landmarks Program

3. Recommend National Natural Landmarks (NNLs)

Enhance the NNL program by exploring new opportunities to engage additional public and private support, increase awareness of America's diverse natural history, and support the conservation work of NNL owners.
Lead: Belinda Faustinos
Links:

• Task 3 Summary (PDF)
• National Natural Landmarks Program

4. Support Economic Valuation

Support measurement of the total economic value of the NPS including cooperative programs outside the National Park System.
Lead: Professor Linda Bilmes
Links:

• Task 4 Summary (PDF)
• Blueprint report phase 1a (PDF)
• Blueprint report phase 1b (PDF) (report added December 31, 2013)
• Joshua Tree National Park Case Study (PDF)

5. Revisit the "Leopold Report"

Prepare a contemporary version of the 1963 Leopold Report to help the NPS confront modern challenges in resource management.
Lead:Dr. Rita R. Colwell
Links:

• Task 5 Summary (PDF)
• Revisiting Leopold: Resource Stewardship in the National Parks (PDF)

Broaden Alliances for Education

6. Expand Collaboration in Education

Help the NPS broaden contacts with educational institutions, expand collaboration with K-12 educational systems, and incorporate parks and programs into educational media.
Lead: Dr. Milton Chen
Links:

• Task 6 Summary (PDF)
• U.S. Department of Education and National Park Service educational message (YouTube)
• NPSAB Education Committee FY12 Accomplishments Report, October, 2012 (PDF)
• NPSAB Partnership Subcommittee White Paper, October, 2012 (PDF)
• NPSAB Technology Subcommittee White Paper, October, 2012 (PDF)
• Family Learning in Free-Choice Educational Settings: A Review of the Literature for the National Park Service, 2012 (PDF)

Increase National Relevancy

7. Explore American Latino Heritage

Develop a theme study to identify American Latino-related places for their significance and recognition in potential new national landmarks and national parks, as well as in existing NPS sites.
Lead: Belinda Faustinos
Links:

• Task 7 Summary (PDF)
• American Latino Heritage Projects
• American Latino Theme Study

8. Support the NPS Centennial Campaign

Provide advice for a centennial public awareness initiative to highlight the national park idea.
Lead: Leonore Blitz
Links:

• Task 8 Summary (PDF)
• NPS Centennial Campaign Summary (PDF)

9. Build Community Relationships

Explore new approaches for broader relevancy and public engagement. Help identify and recruit partners in diverse communities.
Lead: Dr. Carolyn Finney
Links:

• Task 9 Summary (PDF)
• A Toolkit for Engaging Communities and Fostering Relationships (PDF)

Advance Workforce Innovations

10. Support Leadership Development

Provide advice on NPS leadership, workforce, organizational development, and more effectively advancing innovation.
Lead: Dr. Margaret Wheatley
Links:

• Task 10 Summary (PDF)
• Developing a 21st-Century Leadership Culture (PDF)
• Collaborative for Innovation and Change