U. S. Department of the Interior
Mission Statement
As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the
Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our
nationally-owned public lands and natural resources. This includes
fostering sound use of our land and water resources; protecting our
fish, wildlife, and biological diversity; preserving the environmental
and cultural values of our national parks and historic places; and
providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The
Department assesses our energy and mineral resources and works to ensure
that their development is in the best interests of all our people by
encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. The
Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian
reservation communities and for people who live in island territories
under U. S. administration.
This publication is financed by the National Park
Service, United States Department of the Interior. Under Title VI of the
Civil Rights Acts of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, as amended; and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as
amended, the United States Department of the Interior prohibits
discrimination on the basis race, color, national origin, handicap, or
age in its programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against
in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire further
information please write:
Office of Equal Opportunity
National Park Service
P.O. Box 37127
Washington, D.C. 20013-7127
....To keep the natural beauty of mountain, forest, lake and
waterfall unspoiled and yet within easy access of such a multitude of
visitors is an interesting though often difficult problem. Quoting the
landscape architects, upon whom devolves the responsibility for this
phase of park activities.., roads, trails, and buildings all should
provide a maximum of scenic view, at the same time being as
inconspicuous as possible themselves...The landscape process begins with
selecting locations which do not tear up the landscape or obtrude into
important views. This is followed by a study of the design, which
endeavors to use native materials and other architectural features that
will harmonize the structure with its surroundings. The last phase of
the problem is the placing of any plant materials necessary to cure
unavoidable damage that may have resulted from construction.
--National Park Service,
The National Parks and Emergency Conservation Work, 1936