What We Do

The Natural Resource Stewardship and Science directorate provides scientific, technical, and administrative support to national parks for the management of natural resources. To help parks, partners, and other agencies and organizations in natural resource understanding, stewardship, and protection, NRSS:

  • Coordinates resource inventory and monitoring activities
  • Implements technical resource management solutions
  • Funds resource management projects
  • Acts as a national clearinghouse for resource management information
  • Facilitates resource management partnerships and training
  • Synthesizes and disseminates resource management policy, regulations, and permitting
  • Supports resource management planning, research, and policy development
  • Informs internal and external audiences about natural resource management programs, activities, and accomplishments
  • Conducts economic and social science research and monitoring to help understand the reach and relevance of the National Park System
  • Represents natural resource perspectives with other Directorates, agencies, and organizations
  • Produces content in the Explore Nature portal and in various subject sites of NPS.gov

Natural Resource Stewardship & Science Priorities Framework

The Natural Resource Stewardship & Science Priorities Framework consists of four pillars:

  1. Holding the Line
  2. Managing Amid Continuous Change
  3. Leveraging for Conservation at Scale
  4. Enhancing Stewardship & Science Access & Engagement

NRSS Snapshot

a graphic detailing information about the NRSS Directorate, a detailed description is available below

Natural Resource Stewardship & Science Directorate

Natural Resource Stewardship & Science Directorate (NRSS) uses science, law, and policy to support the National Park Service in fulfilling its core mission to protect nationally significant natural resources and values in perpetuity.

NRSS serves

423 parks through

  • Direct Assistance - 396* Technical Assistance Requests per year
  • Supporting Programs - 233* Scientists-in-Parks per year 

*average of

NRSS supports

  • 32 Inventory & Monitoring Networks
  • 602 National Natural Landmarks
  • 19 Research Learning Centers
  • 17 Invasive Plant Management Teams

NRSS has

  • 12 Divisions and Programs
    • Air Resources Division
    • Biological Resources Division
    • Climate Change Response Program
    • Environmental Quality Division
    • Geologic Resources Division
    • Inventory & Monitoring Division
    • National Natural Landmarks
    • Natural Sounds & Night Skies Division
    • Natural Resource Office of Communications
    • Office of Budget & Finance
    • Office of Science Access & Engagement
    • Water Resources Division
  • 200+ Subject Matter Experts

The 4 pillars guide natural resource activities & investments.

  • Holding the line
  • Managing Amid Continuous Change
  • Leveraging for Conservation at Scale
  • Enhancing Stewardship & Science Access & Engagement

Last updated: May 4, 2023

Tools