Last updated: March 2, 2022
Article
The National Park Service Works to Conserve America’s Natural Resources by Partnering With Communities and Land Managers
The National Park Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program has spent 30 years developing parks, protecting lands, creating habitats and restoring rivers across the country. Our passion for preserving special places goes beyond the boundaries of our national parks – that’s why our program provides support to neighborhood groups, nonprofits, and local, state, and tribal agencies who conserve remarkable spaces that contribute to community pride and quality of life.
Climate Change Adaption
The National Park Service works with communities to incorporate ecosystem services and green infrastructure solutions to mitigate impacts from storm events and heat sinks.
Climate Change Adaption
The National Park Service works with communities to incorporate ecosystem services and green infrastructure solutions to mitigate impacts from storm events and heat sinks.
Sankofa Nature Trail and Wetland Park: Green Infrastructure for a Resilient Community
With blighted properties and vacant buildings, the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, Louisiana still bears the scars from Hurricane Karina in 2005. While the neighborhood continues to be culturally vibrant, it has suffered a tremendous loss since the storm.
Today, residents of the Lower Ninth Ward are collaborating with the National Park Service to develop plans for a 40-acre tree-lined park with a wetland habitat, multi-purpose trails, picnic areas and other park amenities. When completed, the park will reduce the impact of coastal flooding from large storms while increasing tree canopy to help cool the area from extreme heat.
“It’s an opportunity to help heal after a devastating event, to provide more opportunity to have a focal point within the neighborhood to bring the community together,” said Tricia LeBlanc, Nature Trail and Wetland Park Program Director for Sankofa Community Development Corporation. “There’s no other major park like Sankofa Nature Trail and Wetland Park that includes nature space in close proximity to this part of the city.”
With blighted properties and vacant buildings, the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, Louisiana still bears the scars from Hurricane Karina in 2005. While the neighborhood continues to be culturally vibrant, it has suffered a tremendous loss since the storm.
Today, residents of the Lower Ninth Ward are collaborating with the National Park Service to develop plans for a 40-acre tree-lined park with a wetland habitat, multi-purpose trails, picnic areas and other park amenities. When completed, the park will reduce the impact of coastal flooding from large storms while increasing tree canopy to help cool the area from extreme heat.
“It’s an opportunity to help heal after a devastating event, to provide more opportunity to have a focal point within the neighborhood to bring the community together,” said Tricia LeBlanc, Nature Trail and Wetland Park Program Director for Sankofa Community Development Corporation. “There’s no other major park like Sankofa Nature Trail and Wetland Park that includes nature space in close proximity to this part of the city.”
Land and Habitat Conservation
The National Park Service works with partners to expand conservation networks, develop land protection strategies and restore damaged ecosystems.
The National Park Service works with partners to expand conservation networks, develop land protection strategies and restore damaged ecosystems.
Putting the Pieces Together: Utah’s Big Bend Habitat Restoration Project
Flowing through six of Utah’s biggest counties, the Jordan River was polluted by industrial waste and had been forcibly straightened to accommodate a steel mill, causing widespread ecological damage.
Adjacent to the Jordan River Parkway Trail, the Big Bend Habitat Restoration Project is a large undertaking to restore 70 acres of habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife by constructing a new meandering channel and wetlands that will reconnect the floodplain with the river.
The National Park Service brought together federal, state and local partners to begin the Big Bend Habitat Restoration Project. Restoration of the Jordan River channel and floodplain will significantly reduce sediment and organic matter currently being eroded into the river.
When completed, the project will provide a restored river channel, wetland habitat, riparian habitat and urban fisheries as well as increase recreation opportunities for the public. Amenities such as boardwalks and interpretive signage on the adjacent Jordan River Trail will allow people to see and learn about the wildlife, culture and history of the area.
Flowing through six of Utah’s biggest counties, the Jordan River was polluted by industrial waste and had been forcibly straightened to accommodate a steel mill, causing widespread ecological damage.
Adjacent to the Jordan River Parkway Trail, the Big Bend Habitat Restoration Project is a large undertaking to restore 70 acres of habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife by constructing a new meandering channel and wetlands that will reconnect the floodplain with the river.
The National Park Service brought together federal, state and local partners to begin the Big Bend Habitat Restoration Project. Restoration of the Jordan River channel and floodplain will significantly reduce sediment and organic matter currently being eroded into the river.
When completed, the project will provide a restored river channel, wetland habitat, riparian habitat and urban fisheries as well as increase recreation opportunities for the public. Amenities such as boardwalks and interpretive signage on the adjacent Jordan River Trail will allow people to see and learn about the wildlife, culture and history of the area.
River Restoration
The National Park Service facilitates the collaboration of technical experts to implement strategies that restore rivers and riparian areas.
The National Park Service facilitates the collaboration of technical experts to implement strategies that restore rivers and riparian areas.
Restoration of an Urban Creek, Park and Its Fisheries
Flowing through the heart of downtown Bozeman, Montana, Bozeman Creek had been narrowed, straightened and its riparian vegetation was reduced to a thin line. This action destroyed the fisheries and other ecological services that the stream once provided.
The National Park Service assisted the City of Bozeman, and other community stakeholders, in developing and implementing a six-year plan to restore the creek to its original health. Today, Bozeman residents enjoy recreational opportunities, a healthy fish population and a naturally flowing creek.
Read the full story here.
Flowing through the heart of downtown Bozeman, Montana, Bozeman Creek had been narrowed, straightened and its riparian vegetation was reduced to a thin line. This action destroyed the fisheries and other ecological services that the stream once provided.
The National Park Service assisted the City of Bozeman, and other community stakeholders, in developing and implementing a six-year plan to restore the creek to its original health. Today, Bozeman residents enjoy recreational opportunities, a healthy fish population and a naturally flowing creek.
Read the full story here.
