Natural Resource Monitoring at Valley Forge National Historical Park

Two-story historic stone house with white trim, surrounded by grass and some trees
General Washington's headquarters during the 1777-1778 Valley Forge Encampment.

NPS

Valley Forge National Historical Park is one of ten parks in the Mid-Atlantic Network which is part of a nation-wide effort of the National Park Service to generate scientifically sound information on the changing conditions of park ecosystems. In addition to the natural resource management activities performed by park staff, our scientists monitor the status and long-term trends of natural resources at the park. Each year, with the help of park staff and volunteers, we collect information for the monitoring programs listed below. Back at the office we analyze the data and share the information with park managers to help them better understand how to best preserve park ecosystems for future generations.

To learn more about these programs and key findings, choose from the options below.

Monitoring Programs

  • Closeup of stonefly larvae crawling over a wet rock
    Benthic Macroinvertebrates

    This diverse group of creatures occupies stream beds and is a vital component of all healthy stream ecosystems.

  • Orange bird with a black head perched on a tree branch. Credit: Jessica Weinberg McClosky.
    Breeding Birds

    Many network parks have birds that are declining throughout their range, highlighting the need for understanding their status and trends.

  • Sun shining though forest canopy.
    Forest Vegetation

    All Mid-Atlantic Network parks have forests that form an essential part of the landscape and provide habitat for a diversity of wildlife.

  • A small stream in a forest.
    Water Quality and Quantity

    Monitoring water quality & quantity helps the National Park Service fulfill its duty to protect pristine (or improve impaired) park waters.

  • Climate monitoring station in a grassy clearing, with many scientific instruments scattered about.
    Weather & Climate

    Climate is a dominant factor driving the physical and ecologic processes affecting Mid-Atlantic Network parks.

  • A view from an overlook on a mountain looking into a valley with foothills in the distance
    Air Quality

    Park managers benefit from knowing the type and extent of various air pollutants in order to evaluate their impacts on park resources.

Website Articles

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    Park Monitoring Documents

    Resource briefs are short PDFs summarizing our monitoring programs or results.

    Source: Data Store Saved Search 4876 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

    Periodically, we publish reports that describe what we are learning in the field. These monitoring reports are more in-depth than resource briefs and include data analysis and a discussion of our findings.

    Source: Data Store Saved Search 4877 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.

    Last updated: January 21, 2022