Citizen Scientists & Corps Members: The Next Generation of NPS

The National Park Service (NPS) mission is to “preserve unimpaired natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations”. This mission is in part fulfilled through human interactions with dedicated pieces of land, whether that be someone hiking in a park or visiting a historic monument to learn more about the site’s cultural significance. Millions of people use the physical resources preserved by the NPS because the land brings us joy, teaches, and tells stories. In today’s dominant ideological frameworks, humans are routinely seen as an ecologically detached and relatively independent species. Thus, it’s refreshing to see the human-environment relationship as alive and mutually beneficial as it is on park lands. Equally as important are the ways that the NPS touches lives less directly. Multiple scientific breakthroughs have been enabled by the preservation and experimental use of public lands, such as the theory of plant succession or the discovery of dendrochronology. These findings are tools that continue to help us understand the world around us and move forward in a mindful and positive way. Research on public lands saves species, our own and others. Even if someone has never visited a national park, their lives have still been impacted by this work.

Ogive Glacier 12 in KEFJ

NPS Photo/Jim Pfeiffenberger

Something that I find to be especially interesting and relevant is NPS’s efforts regarding climate change. A perhaps obvious role of NPS is to protect the land itself. In the face of climate change, scientists are doing this by observing environmental phenomena and strategizing for the future. An example is the monitoring taking place in glacial environments such as the North Cascades (NOCA) and Kenai Fjords (KEFJ) National Parks. Scientists are measuring ice melt and glacial velocity over time to predict rising and warming ocean levels, and their effects. If you are counting on stable food supplies and safe housing, this kind of foresight is necessary. Less obvious to me was the role of NPS in educating people on climate change and reconnecting them with the land in a way that makes them want to do better as stewards. I had never heard the term “citizen scientist” before. It seems like it should be an oxymoron, but the two words work together when you’re relying on citizens to be the change. Climate change mitigation is dependent on political action. Political action is reliant on citizens, all citizens. So, scientists, the ones with credentials, should not be the only ones noticing climate change and the need for change. Because of this, NPS is getting citizens more involved with recording climate change data and noticing environmental differences with their own two eyes. These “citizen scientists” devote time to measuring things like water temperature or soil conditions on small plots of land over time. Learning about climate change through a TV screen or a textbook can be useful but overwhelming at times. People may feel a sense of hopelessness, being so far away from the problem and its subjects, further driving a wedge between them and the land. Getting involved with a like-minded team, having hands-on interactions with an interpreter, reflecting on glacier views from a past visit and comparing them to a current one – all of these acts are more energizing and inspiring than the chart graphs and natural disasters that most view from inside their homes.

Citizen scientists working on the Dragonfly Mercury Project at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

NPS Gallery *Images credited to NPS without any copyright symbol are public domain

Targeting young generations is especially important when trying to get people to spend time outside, to learn, and to care. Kids and young adults are spending more and more time inside, in the virtual world, instead of building a relationship with the natural world. Climate change is a multigenerational issue. Caring for our planet is a forever project, beginning with love. In the words of a service corps member, Annina, “How can you mourn something you’ve never known?”. In the panel discussion “The Future of Conservation: Engaging the Next Generation of Public Land Leaders”, it was mentioned that the median employee age at NPS is 50 years old. We can not afford to age out of conservation. That is why initiatives like the Corps Network and its partnership with NPS are so important. The program leads conservation projects but is also a conservation project in and of itself. It instills environmental and leadership values in the next generation of stewards, the most vital step in caring for our planet. I enjoy being a part of NPS because I am a part of this mission to keep humans connected to their environments and aware of their ecological responsibilities.

Article written by Jadyn Pando
for "A Day in the Life of a Fellow" Article Series
National Park Service - Workforce Management Fellow
in Partnership with Northwest Youth Corps