I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Director's Order (DO) is to articulate our commitment to civic engagement, and to having all National Park Service (NPS) units and offices embrace civic engagement as the essential foundation and framework for creating plans and developing programs. Another purpose is to clarify, coordinate and strengthen our commitment to legally required public participation and involvement as it relates to accomplishing our mission and management responsibilities "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life 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." In doing so, this DO and its accompanying sourcebook will:

• Provide a strong philosophical direction that emphasizes welcoming and encouraging visitors to use the parks and participate in programs in appropriate, sustainable ways. This is the first principle of civic engagement.
• Institutionalize a civic engagement philosophy and vision that will help ensure the relevance of NPS resources and programs to people. NPS employees and partners must continually keep this larger aspect of their public service and public trust in mind. This philosophy means that we do more than meet the minimum legal requirements for public involvement in our decisions and activities. It means a regular, natural and sustained level of interaction with people, both from within and outside the NPS.
• Provide a framework for successfully engaging the public in our work and activities to instill a sense of ownership in the mission of the National Park Service and provide valuable information from a variety of sources within and outside the Service and the Department.
• Provide guidance and direction on reasonable and effective means to involve the public in decisions at the park and program level.
• Assign roles and responsibilities to NPS staff who carry out public participation and involvement activities.

In order to build successful relationships and face controversy where it occurs, we must first actively welcome the public and listen to what they have to say. This, in turn, will enhance our ability to achieve our core mission, which is conserving park resources unimpaired for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

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