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Podcast

Park Science Celebrates!

Surprising and inspiring stories about milestones related to science in our national parks. Produced by Park Science, a digital magazine of the National Park Service.

Episodes

Season 1

Episode One: How "America's Best Idea" went Global

Transcript

1 00:00:02,320 --> 00:00:06,640 park science celebrates is a podcast of

2 00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:08,639 park science magazine that highlights

3 00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:11,200 the milestones and contributions to

4 00:00:08,639 --> 00:00:14,160 science made by parks and programs of

5 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:15,759 the national park service

6 00:00:14,160 --> 00:00:17,199 hey everyone and welcome to another

7 00:00:15,759 --> 00:00:19,680 episode of park science celebrates

8 00:00:17,199 --> 00:00:21,279 podcast i'm your host cass bismeyer with

9 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:22,480 my co-host courtney jessfield hey

10 00:00:21,279 --> 00:00:25,279 courtney

11 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:27,359 hey cass okay so today we have someone

12 00:00:25,279 --> 00:00:28,960 really special on the podcast who

13 00:00:27,359 --> 00:00:31,039 started out in the peace corps and has

14 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:33,040 helped to build a really unique function

15 00:00:31,039 --> 00:00:34,880 for the national park service so we're

16 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:36,960 happy to have john putnam from the

17 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:38,239 international affairs office we're going

18 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:40,480 to hear about some significant

19 00:00:38,239 --> 00:00:44,200 contributions their office has made for

20 00:00:40,480 --> 00:00:44,200 science through collaboration

21 00:00:44,879 --> 00:00:49,600 so welcome john thanks so much for

22 00:00:46,879 --> 00:00:52,399 agreeing on our park science podcast

23 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:54,239 here can you kick us off by just telling

24 00:00:52,399 --> 00:00:56,559 us a little bit about you

25 00:00:54,239 --> 00:00:59,120 sure thanks cass and thanks for inviting

26 00:00:56,559 --> 00:01:01,280 me for this podcast so i've been with

27 00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:04,159 the park services international affairs

28 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:06,720 office for more than 20 years now it's

29 00:01:04,159 --> 00:01:09,680 gone by quickly but it's been a really

30 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:12,320 fun fun ride i'd grown up a lover of the

31 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:14,159 outdoors but also lived overseas as a

32 00:01:12,320 --> 00:01:15,759 teenager and so always had those those

33 00:01:14,159 --> 00:01:18,960 two interests and

34 00:01:15,759 --> 00:01:20,479 through uh through good luck find my way

35 00:01:18,960 --> 00:01:21,759 to the park services international

36 00:01:20,479 --> 00:01:23,840 affairs office

37 00:01:21,759 --> 00:01:26,080 after serving as a ranger and a peace

38 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:28,000 volunteer overseas and this ended up

39 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:30,479 being like really the perfect

40 00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:32,560 match for my for my interest that's so

41 00:01:30,479 --> 00:01:33,840 exciting john i just love that the

42 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:36,400 national park service has an

43 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:38,840 international affairs office it has to

44 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:42,159 be one of the coolest jobs in the entire

45 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:43,439 agency can you describe your program for

46 00:01:42,159 --> 00:01:45,200 us what is it that the international

47 00:01:43,439 --> 00:01:47,439 affairs office does

48 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:49,280 well the park service has been involved

49 00:01:47,439 --> 00:01:50,720 internationally well since even before

50 00:01:49,280 --> 00:01:52,159 there was a park service you know with

51 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:54,000 yellowstone being

52 00:01:52,159 --> 00:01:55,280 the world's first national park you know

53 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:57,600 the rest of the world quickly took

54 00:01:55,280 --> 00:02:00,079 notice and came uh obviously a global

55 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:02,799 movement um but even at the very

56 00:02:00,079 --> 00:02:04,479 creation of the park service in 1916 you

57 00:02:02,799 --> 00:02:05,840 know stephen mather the first director

58 00:02:04,479 --> 00:02:07,439 was told by the secretary of the

59 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:08,720 interior at the time that he should be

60 00:02:07,439 --> 00:02:11,840 following

61 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:13,360 events overseas with the idea being that

62 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:14,800 the park service could learn from what

63 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:16,560 other countries

64 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,360 and so particularly after world war ii

65 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:19,440 when

66 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:21,920 this global park movement really took

67 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:24,560 off in a big way park service was just

68 00:02:21,920 --> 00:02:26,879 being inundated with requests for

69 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:28,879 assistance and for advice

70 00:02:26,879 --> 00:02:30,319 on how to either set up a park system or

71 00:02:28,879 --> 00:02:31,760 a new national park

72 00:02:30,319 --> 00:02:33,040 unit

73 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:35,599 and so

74 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:38,400 secretary of the interior stuart udall

75 00:02:35,599 --> 00:02:41,120 in 1962 ago six years ago in june the

76 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:43,200 first world parks congress in seattle he

77 00:02:41,120 --> 00:02:44,640 announced to the world that

78 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:46,640 the park service was creating this

79 00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:48,800 office of international affairs

80 00:02:46,640 --> 00:02:50,720 to facilitate these kind of exchanges

81 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:52,400 and learning from

82 00:02:50,720 --> 00:02:54,640 our international partners and sharing

83 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:56,640 our successes and mistakes you know one

84 00:02:54,640 --> 00:02:58,480 thing we're we're unique really we in

85 00:02:56,640 --> 00:02:59,360 and canada are the only park agencies i

86 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:01,519 know of

87 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:03,519 uh which bring together both natural and

88 00:03:01,519 --> 00:03:05,040 cultural heritage under one

89 00:03:03,519 --> 00:03:06,959 organization

90 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:08,959 most other national parks are under you

91 00:03:06,959 --> 00:03:10,720 know a ministry of environment

92 00:03:08,959 --> 00:03:12,720 and cultural sites typically under you

93 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:14,800 know ministry of culture

94 00:03:12,720 --> 00:03:16,480 and they're very separate but in the us

95 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:18,400 and again in canada

96 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:19,760 we bring them together and and the world

97 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:22,239 heritage convention

98 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:23,200 likewise um was the first international

99 00:03:22,239 --> 00:03:25,840 instrument

100 00:03:23,200 --> 00:03:27,360 to see that both nature and culture are

101 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:29,599 really um

102 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:32,959 closely linked and need to be protected

103 00:03:29,599 --> 00:03:35,440 by by one instrument thanks john that's

104 00:03:32,959 --> 00:03:38,080 really interesting to learn about the

105 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:40,720 early origins of kind of this global

106 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:43,599 park movement really fascinating

107 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:45,680 remind us today what we are celebrating

108 00:03:43,599 --> 00:03:48,959 provide a brief description of your

109 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:50,799 program's milestone what it's about

110 00:03:48,959 --> 00:03:52,480 well i think the idea was right from the

111 00:03:50,799 --> 00:03:53,920 beginning of course this was created in

112 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:55,680 the kennedy administration our office

113 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:57,200 was and it was the same time the peace

114 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:59,280 corps of course was established there

115 00:03:57,200 --> 00:04:02,080 was this i think the general sense

116 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:04,480 at in throughout the us government that

117 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:06,720 we need to be very involved around the

118 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:08,159 globe and like the peace corps i think

119 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:11,280 that was a big part of it that we should

120 00:04:08,159 --> 00:04:13,840 be sharing the lessons learned in places

121 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:16,400 like yellowstone yosemite you know with

122 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:17,600 our international partners and

123 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:20,239 you know with countries that were maybe

124 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:22,720 just starting their own park agencies

125 00:04:20,239 --> 00:04:25,440 but i think even from very early on uh

126 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:27,280 we saw this was a two-way street that

127 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:28,800 you know the park service the us had had

128 00:04:27,280 --> 00:04:30,800 as much to benefit from this kind of

129 00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:31,840 international exchange as we had had to

130 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:33,680 share

131 00:04:31,840 --> 00:04:35,199 you know some of the things that um you

132 00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:36,960 know we've learned from our

133 00:04:35,199 --> 00:04:40,560 international colleagues over the

134 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:42,800 decades now include uh sort of iconic

135 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:44,479 parts of the park service at great smoky

136 00:04:42,800 --> 00:04:47,440 mountains now you know they're known for

137 00:04:44,479 --> 00:04:50,160 the um all taxa uh biodiversity

138 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:52,240 inventory where they're trying to

139 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:54,160 inventory and record uh essentially

140 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:56,720 every living thing within the boundaries

141 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:58,479 the borders of of the park but this was

142 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:59,919 an idea that didn't start in the us or

143 00:04:58,479 --> 00:05:02,080 great smokies it was really an idea that

144 00:04:59,919 --> 00:05:04,560 started in costa rica park service took

145 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:06,320 note of that and adopted

146 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,600 this concept and brought it back

147 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:09,840 to the u.s

148 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:12,080 a lot of our large mammal

149 00:05:09,840 --> 00:05:14,000 research protocols were learned by

150 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:15,919 exchanging ideas with the south african

151 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:17,520 national park agency

152 00:05:15,919 --> 00:05:18,960 you know to this day we

153 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:20,880 we bring back

154 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:22,479 good ideas from our international

155 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:23,759 colleagues back to the park service

156 00:05:22,479 --> 00:05:26,880 whether through

157 00:05:23,759 --> 00:05:29,120 study tours international workshops

158 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:30,880 staff exchanges that kind of thing just

159 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:33,759 another really neat example that i was

160 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:34,880 involved with that promoted an exchange

161 00:05:33,759 --> 00:05:37,440 between

162 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:40,320 glacier bay and a park called francisco

163 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:41,840 kolani in chilean patagonia

164 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:43,840 it's an amazing place which is in many

165 00:05:41,840 --> 00:05:46,160 ways almost a mirror image of glacier

166 00:05:43,840 --> 00:05:48,000 bay these deep fjords

167 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:51,120 glaciers

168 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:52,720 a lot of sea life healthy population of

169 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:54,479 humpback whales

170 00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:56,720 they were concerned

171 00:05:54,479 --> 00:05:58,720 at this park in chile with

172 00:05:56,720 --> 00:06:00,240 the potential of ship strikes on these

173 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:02,400 whales this is through the straits of

174 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:04,080 magellan very high

175 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:06,240 a lot of ship traffic going through

176 00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:08,240 there and of course the glacier bay we

177 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:10,479 have a lot of experience with the cruise

178 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:12,400 ships coming in there and so the park

179 00:06:10,479 --> 00:06:14,800 service at glacier bay has developed

180 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:17,280 protocols for both monitoring

181 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:20,160 the whale population in the bay

182 00:06:17,280 --> 00:06:22,160 their movements and for predicting where

183 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:24,000 they will be and and helping them

184 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:26,080 determine what the ships the cruise

185 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:28,880 ships routes will be through through the

186 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:31,520 park to minimize any impacts uh on

187 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:33,440 whales and so our expert our ecologist

188 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:34,479 from glacier bay spent six months in

189 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:36,400 chile

190 00:06:34,479 --> 00:06:38,080 bringing this knowledge to their park

191 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:40,880 system and helped them develop a very

192 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:44,720 similar protocol and helping you know

193 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:46,960 minimize the risk of injury or death to

194 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:48,560 to this park's whale population

195 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:50,319 but at the same time

196 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:52,400 he got a lot of interesting new ideas to

197 00:06:50,319 --> 00:06:54,000 bring back to glacier bay so again it

198 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:56,080 was a great example of a two-way a

199 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:59,120 two-way street that's wonderful john

200 00:06:56,080 --> 00:07:01,599 what an amazing example of collaboration

201 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:04,319 you know what is your program or parks

202 00:07:01,599 --> 00:07:06,560 you know contribution to science

203 00:07:04,319 --> 00:07:08,800 i've already provided a few very

204 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:11,440 specific examples but maybe think about

205 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:14,479 it in a more holistic uh way

206 00:07:11,440 --> 00:07:15,919 sure so again we have a very small

207 00:07:14,479 --> 00:07:19,039 office the international affairs office

208 00:07:15,919 --> 00:07:20,720 is just six people these days and uh

209 00:07:19,039 --> 00:07:22,160 so we are not i mean many of us have

210 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:22,880 some background in science but we're not

211 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:24,639 the

212 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:25,919 science scientists the science experts

213 00:07:24,639 --> 00:07:27,199 but our job really is more like

214 00:07:25,919 --> 00:07:29,199 matchmakers

215 00:07:27,199 --> 00:07:31,039 we'll get a request from an

216 00:07:29,199 --> 00:07:32,240 international counterpart or from a us

217 00:07:31,039 --> 00:07:34,880 embassy or

218 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:36,400 other third party looking for a

219 00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:38,240 technical advice assistance from the

220 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:40,639 park service and then our job is to try

221 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:42,160 to identify where if that expertise

222 00:07:40,639 --> 00:07:43,599 exists in the park service where it is

223 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:45,680 and see if we can then

224 00:07:43,599 --> 00:07:46,879 use that to help our our international

225 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:49,360 partners

226 00:07:46,879 --> 00:07:50,479 and so when we if we find that uh you

227 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:52,479 know what's either

228 00:07:50,479 --> 00:07:54,160 in some cases the more extreme cases

229 00:07:52,479 --> 00:07:56,560 like the six month you know exchange

230 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:58,319 where the ecologists from glacier bay

231 00:07:56,560 --> 00:08:00,879 actually spend all that time at

232 00:07:58,319 --> 00:08:03,520 francisco kalani but more typically it's

233 00:08:00,879 --> 00:08:06,720 two-week technical assistance project

234 00:08:03,520 --> 00:08:08,879 or maybe it's a workshop that either we

235 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:10,720 organize in the u.s or our international

236 00:08:08,879 --> 00:08:13,759 colleagues have organized and will send

237 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:16,319 the right expert to that to that country

238 00:08:13,759 --> 00:08:18,080 sometimes it's more basic than that we

239 00:08:16,319 --> 00:08:20,160 got a request

240 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:22,319 a while ago from the peace corps in

241 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:24,160 paraguay in south america

242 00:08:22,319 --> 00:08:26,960 they were trying to

243 00:08:24,160 --> 00:08:29,440 develop a wildlife monitoring project in

244 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:31,360 and around paraguay's protected areas

245 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:32,959 and with their peace peacock volunteers

246 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,000 working with community members and park

247 00:08:32,959 --> 00:08:35,919 managers

248 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:37,680 to do this but they didn't have

249 00:08:35,919 --> 00:08:41,039 the wildlife cameras and they reached

250 00:08:37,680 --> 00:08:43,120 out to us and as luck had it um park

251 00:08:41,039 --> 00:08:45,360 service had a lot of surplus cameras

252 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:47,120 that we managed to connect uh

253 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:48,959 you know these surplus cameras which are

254 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:50,080 still perfectly good for what paraguay

255 00:08:48,959 --> 00:08:52,080 was looking for

256 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:54,160 got them to paraguay

257 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:56,800 they developed wildlife monitoring

258 00:08:54,160 --> 00:08:58,320 project um and it was so cool about six

259 00:08:56,800 --> 00:08:59,040 months or so later they started sending

260 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:01,440 us

261 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:04,080 these great photos of ocelots and

262 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:05,920 jaguars and other animals that they

263 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:08,720 didn't even know were there um until

264 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:10,080 they set up these cameras so you know uh

265 00:09:08,720 --> 00:09:12,000 there's all kinds of things we get

266 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:14,560 involved with and again you know we're

267 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:17,360 not experts but our job is to find where

268 00:09:14,560 --> 00:09:19,279 that expertise lies within the service i

269 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:20,399 just love this john just thinking about

270 00:09:19,279 --> 00:09:22,640 how much

271 00:09:20,399 --> 00:09:25,680 not only are we helping but we're also

272 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:27,920 learning along the way um and certainly

273 00:09:25,680 --> 00:09:30,399 60 years of that i'm sure there's

274 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:32,160 lots of stories that we can tell

275 00:09:30,399 --> 00:09:34,320 looking ahead what's you know what's

276 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:37,200 happening now that you're really

277 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:39,040 enthusiastic about and of course we're

278 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:41,120 hoping you can talk to the science angle

279 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:43,200 as we're the park science magazine

280 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:45,600 so what's what's happening now that

281 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:46,880 you're enthusiastic about

282 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:49,600 well there's just so many things going

283 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:51,519 on around the globe in conservation um

284 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:53,360 in protected area management that i

285 00:09:51,519 --> 00:09:55,360 think the the us and the park service

286 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:57,120 really stands to benefit by you know

287 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:59,600 deeper engagement

288 00:09:57,120 --> 00:10:01,279 these are things like how do we uh how

289 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,959 do we integrate traditional ecological

290 00:10:01,279 --> 00:10:04,480 knowledge indigenous indigenous

291 00:10:02,959 --> 00:10:06,000 knowledge with i guess you call it

292 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:08,240 western science

293 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:10,480 uh and this is an area where you know a

294 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:11,839 lot of countries have done a lot more

295 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:13,839 than the park services has done the u.s

296 00:10:11,839 --> 00:10:15,440 park service has done and i think we

297 00:10:13,839 --> 00:10:17,519 would stand to benefit by you know

298 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:20,720 really visiting these places learning

299 00:10:17,519 --> 00:10:22,079 how they've set up these types of

300 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:24,640 programs

301 00:10:22,079 --> 00:10:26,800 places even as close as canada but

302 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:29,760 australia and new zealand have really

303 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:32,320 become leaders in this topic um and i

304 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:34,320 think the park service would benefit by

305 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:36,000 engaging with them more more deeply but

306 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:37,440 also things like um

307 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:38,640 we're familiar of course with america

308 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:40,480 the beautiful

309 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:43,440 which is part of this larger global

310 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:45,279 initiative the 30 by 30 to protect uh 30

311 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:48,000 percent of the globe's

312 00:10:45,279 --> 00:10:49,440 terrestrial and marine areas by 2030 but

313 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:51,600 there's a lot of science behind that

314 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:53,839 which area should be prioritized how do

315 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:55,279 we define conserved

316 00:10:53,839 --> 00:10:56,640 and so there is a global you know

317 00:10:55,279 --> 00:10:59,360 there's a global movement looking at

318 00:10:56,640 --> 00:11:01,680 this park service in the u.s you know

319 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:03,120 at a larger level i think could would

320 00:11:01,680 --> 00:11:04,959 benefit by

321 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:06,800 engaging in these conversations about

322 00:11:04,959 --> 00:11:08,560 how do we uh how do we think about this

323 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:10,320 here at home by learning what you know

324 00:11:08,560 --> 00:11:11,200 other countries and the global community

325 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:13,120 um

326 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:16,560 at large are doing the other thing that

327 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:17,920 really gets me excited is migratory uh

328 00:11:16,560 --> 00:11:20,560 connectivity

329 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:23,760 we in the u.s i grew up you know with

330 00:11:20,560 --> 00:11:26,640 these uh field guides to birds that

331 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:29,600 showed their range in the u.s

332 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:31,839 and then the rest of the uh world didn't

333 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:34,640 exist apparently you know i so i knew

334 00:11:31,839 --> 00:11:36,800 where they were from may to september

335 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:38,079 but then they just disappeared um but

336 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:39,839 you know our the way we're looking this

337 00:11:38,079 --> 00:11:43,040 has changed radically and now we know

338 00:11:39,839 --> 00:11:44,480 that uh whether it's migratory birds

339 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:45,839 marine life

340 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:47,120 sea turtles

341 00:11:45,839 --> 00:11:50,320 they are really

342 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:52,000 global travelers we want to

343 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:53,600 be able to enjoy them in u.s national

344 00:11:52,000 --> 00:11:54,639 parks we need to be thinking about what

345 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:57,760 they call

346 00:11:54,639 --> 00:11:59,760 full life cycle uh conservation and we

347 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:01,519 need to need to be thinking about where

348 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:02,720 they are when they're not in an in a us

349 00:12:01,519 --> 00:12:03,680 national park when they're not in the

350 00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:06,079 u.s

351 00:12:03,680 --> 00:12:07,760 and what are their conservation needs uh

352 00:12:06,079 --> 00:12:09,760 outside of that and so migratory

353 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:11,920 connectivity is one way to get at that

354 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:14,079 to understand um you know where are the

355 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:15,760 golden eagles from denali

356 00:12:14,079 --> 00:12:18,720 going when they leave the park and where

357 00:12:15,760 --> 00:12:21,040 are the sea turtles from dry tortugas

358 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:22,720 going when after they've laid their eggs

359 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:24,399 and they moved on somewhere else and the

360 00:12:22,720 --> 00:12:25,839 birds uh you know

361 00:12:24,399 --> 00:12:27,040 going to places that are protected or

362 00:12:25,839 --> 00:12:29,760 not protected

363 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:31,600 and with that knowledge i think then uh

364 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:33,200 the park service could start

365 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:35,360 figuring out ways to prioritize we

366 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:37,279 obviously we have a very limited

367 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:38,639 resources for international work but

368 00:12:37,279 --> 00:12:40,639 with this knowledge we could start

369 00:12:38,639 --> 00:12:42,480 prioritizing

370 00:12:40,639 --> 00:12:45,040 where we want to focus international

371 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:46,800 work but also i think just make the case

372 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:48,240 that much stronger why we need to be

373 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:49,040 involved internationally because we'll

374 00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:50,720 see

375 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:52,240 it's not just a shared species but an

376 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:54,800 actual shared population or even a

377 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:55,760 shared individual moving from one of our

378 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:59,120 parks

379 00:12:55,760 --> 00:13:00,720 to these locations outside the u.s

380 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:02,880 so i'm really excited about as

381 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:04,639 technology increases the park service

382 00:13:02,880 --> 00:13:07,120 hopefully doing a lot more to understand

383 00:13:04,639 --> 00:13:08,880 these connections wow john that's

384 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:10,800 wonderful you know i first of all i

385 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:12,320 really liked the concept of deeper

386 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:14,160 engagement i think that's really

387 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:16,639 important and exciting

388 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:19,680 but really the discussion that we just

389 00:13:16,639 --> 00:13:21,839 had about migratory connectivity is a

390 00:13:19,680 --> 00:13:24,240 great segue to our next question which

391 00:13:21,839 --> 00:13:26,800 is how are you tackling oncoming issues

392 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:29,200 with science

393 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:31,279 well again i mean our our issue is

394 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:33,040 always that where we in international

395 00:13:31,279 --> 00:13:36,000 affairs are not necessarily experts but

396 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:37,279 we we look to our our expertise in the

397 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:39,680 park service

398 00:13:37,279 --> 00:13:41,199 um and so i think the most important

399 00:13:39,680 --> 00:13:43,199 thing um from the international

400 00:13:41,199 --> 00:13:44,320 perspective is to make sure that our

401 00:13:43,199 --> 00:13:47,120 experts

402 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:49,519 are in regular uh communication with the

403 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:50,959 experts around the globe

404 00:13:49,519 --> 00:13:53,360 and you know one of the

405 00:13:50,959 --> 00:13:55,360 vehicles for for facilitating this is

406 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:57,279 the world commission on protected areas

407 00:13:55,360 --> 00:13:59,519 or wcpa

408 00:13:57,279 --> 00:14:01,120 which is a volunteer network under the

409 00:13:59,519 --> 00:14:03,120 iucn

410 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:05,360 and they include things like

411 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:07,519 climate change and conservation or

412 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:09,920 connectivity conservation

413 00:14:07,519 --> 00:14:11,440 um and unfortunately uh for one reason

414 00:14:09,920 --> 00:14:13,839 another you know

415 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:15,600 a lot of our park service colleagues

416 00:14:13,839 --> 00:14:18,079 are either not aware of these expert

417 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:19,839 groups or are not involved

418 00:14:18,079 --> 00:14:22,160 and you know one thing i think our

419 00:14:19,839 --> 00:14:23,600 office would like to do is find ways to

420 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:25,920 really increase

421 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:27,120 uh park service involvement in some of

422 00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:29,279 these

423 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:31,360 expert groups you know these issues are

424 00:14:29,279 --> 00:14:33,440 not unique to the u.s park service or to

425 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:36,000 the u.s uh every country around the

426 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:38,959 globe are facing very similar challenges

427 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:40,560 so it just makes sense for us to be

428 00:14:38,959 --> 00:14:42,880 not trying to reinvent the wheel but

429 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:46,320 learning from others

430 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:47,920 successes and failures um and hopefully

431 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:50,160 and then in the us bringing that

432 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:51,680 expertise back and and focusing on those

433 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:54,160 those successes and

434 00:14:51,680 --> 00:14:55,519 uh and improving our own conservation

435 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:57,440 outcomes

436 00:14:55,519 --> 00:14:58,959 john you give us a couple of little

437 00:14:57,440 --> 00:15:01,360 sneak peeks of things that are on the

438 00:14:58,959 --> 00:15:03,440 horizon as far as your work in science

439 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:04,480 especially around migratory species and

440 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:06,480 america the beautiful and the

441 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:08,240 forthcoming conservation atlas

442 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:10,079 is there anything else that you can get

443 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:11,680 us excited about as far as a little

444 00:15:10,079 --> 00:15:13,279 sneak peek what the international

445 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:15,519 affairs office has

446 00:15:13,279 --> 00:15:18,160 coming up in the next few years as you

447 00:15:15,519 --> 00:15:19,519 make your way past 60 years and into you

448 00:15:18,160 --> 00:15:21,360 know your next

449 00:15:19,519 --> 00:15:22,959 decade here

450 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:24,720 well i guess one thing i'd just like to

451 00:15:22,959 --> 00:15:26,800 also just remind folks that we've been

452 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:29,199 talking i think almost exclusively about

453 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:31,360 sort of natural resources and natural

454 00:15:29,199 --> 00:15:33,040 heritage conservation but of course so

455 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:35,279 much of what the park service does and

456 00:15:33,040 --> 00:15:36,160 cultural heritage and cultural resources

457 00:15:35,279 --> 00:15:38,240 uh

458 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:40,639 protection and preservation as well i

459 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:43,440 think that's just another area where

460 00:15:40,639 --> 00:15:45,519 uh you know we hope to do a lot more in

461 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:47,519 i mean one neat example it's not

462 00:15:45,519 --> 00:15:50,639 necessarily science but it's it's it's

463 00:15:47,519 --> 00:15:52,639 related the whole issue of adobe adobe

464 00:15:50,639 --> 00:15:54,399 construction preservation

465 00:15:52,639 --> 00:15:56,800 this is an area where the u.s and the

466 00:15:54,399 --> 00:15:58,399 park service um really was losing

467 00:15:56,800 --> 00:16:01,040 expertise and

468 00:15:58,399 --> 00:16:02,399 and uh through a program in cooperation

469 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:04,639 with mexico

470 00:16:02,399 --> 00:16:07,519 maybe 10 15 years ago they started a

471 00:16:04,639 --> 00:16:10,560 regular workshop where park service and

472 00:16:07,519 --> 00:16:12,959 and mexican experts would get together

473 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:15,199 and spend a week learning about instruct

474 00:16:12,959 --> 00:16:17,279 maintain preserve adobe

475 00:16:15,199 --> 00:16:19,759 structures and this is bringing back

476 00:16:17,279 --> 00:16:22,399 this expertise to the park service so we

477 00:16:19,759 --> 00:16:23,839 can better protect our own sites

478 00:16:22,399 --> 00:16:24,959 and and there are many examples like

479 00:16:23,839 --> 00:16:26,560 that you know throughout the park

480 00:16:24,959 --> 00:16:28,320 service where you know we don't have all

481 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:30,000 the answers uh sometimes it's our

482 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:31,759 international partners who are really

483 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:33,360 there to to help us

484 00:16:31,759 --> 00:16:35,519 do our job better

485 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:37,199 one follow-up question to that john i

486 00:16:35,519 --> 00:16:38,720 this might be a personal interest of

487 00:16:37,199 --> 00:16:41,360 mine but i'm sure our listeners will be

488 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:44,240 excited too i'm wondering are there any

489 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:46,800 new potential international peace parks

490 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:48,800 or any new potential sister park

491 00:16:46,800 --> 00:16:51,120 relationships in development that are on

492 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:53,519 the horizon that we can kind of

493 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:55,199 look forward to supporting or following

494 00:16:53,519 --> 00:16:57,279 the development of

495 00:16:55,199 --> 00:17:00,240 uh so we are

496 00:16:57,279 --> 00:17:02,959 hopefully going to be uh signing a new

497 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:05,360 agreement between the park service and

498 00:17:02,959 --> 00:17:07,760 mexico's ina which is their

499 00:17:05,360 --> 00:17:10,000 national institute of history and

500 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:12,799 anthropology it's basically sort of the

501 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:15,360 the cultural heritage side of

502 00:17:12,799 --> 00:17:17,199 conservation uh we've had these

503 00:17:15,360 --> 00:17:18,959 agreements in the past but it expired a

504 00:17:17,199 --> 00:17:22,160 few years ago and so we we hope that'll

505 00:17:18,959 --> 00:17:24,799 be uh renewed or the new ones signed in

506 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:26,799 the next uh few months um we do have a

507 00:17:24,799 --> 00:17:29,039 few sister parks uh

508 00:17:26,799 --> 00:17:30,480 in in the pipeline i don't want to get

509 00:17:29,039 --> 00:17:33,440 out ahead of them but

510 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:34,480 i think uh stay tuned in the next

511 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:36,720 month or so we should have an

512 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:40,400 announcement on at least one with uh

513 00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:42,559 i'll say it's a country in south america

514 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:44,640 we've got a lot of other um

515 00:17:42,559 --> 00:17:46,160 there's always a lot of interest

516 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:48,320 in developing these kind of agreements

517 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:50,320 but of course one of our jobs is to make

518 00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:51,919 sure that uh it's something that we can

519 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:53,360 really live up to

520 00:17:51,919 --> 00:17:54,880 there's a lot of excitement about these

521 00:17:53,360 --> 00:17:56,720 but we want to make sure that

522 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:59,679 once an agreement is is signed that

523 00:17:56,720 --> 00:18:01,760 there's actually the the wherewithal to

524 00:17:59,679 --> 00:18:03,440 to actually implement some of the things

525 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:05,039 that we've been discussing so the two

526 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:07,200 examples i've talked about there's a lot

527 00:18:05,039 --> 00:18:09,039 to get excited about so stay tuned i

528 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:11,120 guess i can say

529 00:18:09,039 --> 00:18:12,960 thanks john that's very exciting and

530 00:18:11,120 --> 00:18:15,440 wonderful to hear about all of these

531 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:16,720 collaboration with mexico with the adobe

532 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:18,720 construction

533 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:21,039 really exciting um

534 00:18:18,720 --> 00:18:23,440 our next question is it's a fun one if

535 00:18:21,039 --> 00:18:25,919 if you could partner with anyone or any

536 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:27,120 organization in our vast global

537 00:18:25,919 --> 00:18:29,600 community

538 00:18:27,120 --> 00:18:31,760 to help move your work forward in

539 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:32,799 science who would it be

540 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:34,160 oh boy

541 00:18:32,799 --> 00:18:35,840 that is a that is a tough one there are

542 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:37,200 so many there's so many partners i

543 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:38,960 already mentioned the world commission

544 00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:41,360 on protected areas i think that's the i

545 00:18:38,960 --> 00:18:43,039 guess that's the low-hanging fruit

546 00:18:41,360 --> 00:18:45,360 you know if we could get

547 00:18:43,039 --> 00:18:47,360 more park service engagement

548 00:18:45,360 --> 00:18:48,799 with some of those expert groups in the

549 00:18:47,360 --> 00:18:52,160 wcpa

550 00:18:48,799 --> 00:18:54,880 i think that would be a major success

551 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:56,400 many other international entities where

552 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:57,120 i think the park service could benefit

553 00:18:56,400 --> 00:18:58,640 by

554 00:18:57,120 --> 00:19:00,640 being more involved you know

555 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:02,480 unfortunately the us is

556 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:04,640 right now not a member of

557 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:06,000 unesco but they do have some programs

558 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:08,080 that we're still involved with including

559 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:10,240 the world heritage convention which is a

560 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:12,080 standalone convention and i think our

561 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:14,480 site manager would benefit a lot by

562 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:16,320 engaging more uh with with them and with

563 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:18,240 other site managers around the globe who

564 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:21,760 are facing similar you know science

565 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:23,919 issues and and research issues biosphere

566 00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:26,640 uh reserve advisory region program is

567 00:19:23,919 --> 00:19:28,720 another voluntary program under unesco

568 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:30,240 which is all about linking

569 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:32,320 conservation

570 00:19:30,240 --> 00:19:34,720 with sustainable development and looking

571 00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:36,559 and looking at ways to promote both we

572 00:19:34,720 --> 00:19:38,320 in the park service have been leading a

573 00:19:36,559 --> 00:19:40,480 revival of that program in the last

574 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:42,000 couple of years boy they're just so so

575 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:43,919 many others out there i think the main

576 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:45,200 thing is once you start as a park

577 00:19:43,919 --> 00:19:47,120 service employee sort of dipping your

578 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:48,640 toes into the water of this

579 00:19:47,120 --> 00:19:50,160 international work you realize how much

580 00:19:48,640 --> 00:19:52,320 there is to gain

581 00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:54,480 by talking with your colleagues and

582 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:56,559 counterparts from around the world uh

583 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:58,400 and realizing that they're sharing so

584 00:19:56,559 --> 00:20:00,160 many of the same challenges that that we

585 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:02,320 do in the in the in the us and the park

586 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:03,760 service um and a lot of them have some

587 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:05,760 very good ideas that we haven't thought

588 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:07,200 of and we can try them here here in the

589 00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:09,679 us

590 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:12,080 well gosh john this has been a really

591 00:20:09,679 --> 00:20:14,240 exciting interview as far as learning

592 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:15,600 more about international affairs office

593 00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:17,440 as well as

594 00:20:15,600 --> 00:20:19,280 what you all are celebrating this year

595 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:21,120 certainly on behalf of courtney and

596 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:22,640 myself and the rest of our park science

597 00:20:21,120 --> 00:20:23,760 editorial board we really appreciate

598 00:20:22,640 --> 00:20:26,480 your

599 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:28,400 continuity and service that certainly

600 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:30,080 has to be a part of the success of the

601 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:31,679 international affairs office is having

602 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:33,440 year-long service be

603 00:20:31,679 --> 00:20:35,360 instrumental in

604 00:20:33,440 --> 00:20:36,960 helping to lead the way there

605 00:20:35,360 --> 00:20:38,640 is there anything that we might have

606 00:20:36,960 --> 00:20:42,320 missed for our listeners today that you

607 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:45,360 might like to to add before we close out

608 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:47,360 oh boy i mean i guess just uh one thing

609 00:20:45,360 --> 00:20:49,760 uh to keep in mind you know when when

610 00:20:47,360 --> 00:20:51,440 when folks are traveling and if

611 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:53,600 americans are traveling overseas and if

612 00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:54,880 you visit a national park or world

613 00:20:53,600 --> 00:20:56,880 heritage site

614 00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:59,440 uh i would just say remember this is an

615 00:20:56,880 --> 00:21:01,120 idea that you know it didn't start in

616 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:04,080 the u.s certainly was

617 00:21:01,120 --> 00:21:05,600 strongly influenced by the us and

618 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:07,520 you know take some real pride in that

619 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:10,400 and uh this is one of the areas where

620 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:12,640 the u.s where america americans

621 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:14,320 have had a really important and positive

622 00:21:12,640 --> 00:21:16,240 global influence it's one of those

623 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:18,159 things but this is a great story the

624 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:19,280 story of the us

625 00:21:18,159 --> 00:21:20,720 and leadership in international

626 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:22,320 conservation and specifically the park

627 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:25,280 service leadership international

628 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:27,120 conservation learn about this story and

629 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:29,760 and really be proud because it's

630 00:21:27,120 --> 00:21:31,760 something that um we all we all in the

631 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:33,760 park service we all as americans

632 00:21:31,760 --> 00:21:35,679 uh have had you know an incredible

633 00:21:33,760 --> 00:21:38,159 legacy around the globe

634 00:21:35,679 --> 00:21:40,640 well congratulations on your milestone

635 00:21:38,159 --> 00:21:42,810 thanks again for making time for us

636 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:44,880 thank you both it's been fun

637 00:21:42,810 --> 00:21:47,280 [Music]

638 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:51,720 this has been park science celebrates a

639 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:51,720 podcast of park science magazine

640 00:21:52,490 --> 00:21:55,240 [Music]

"America's best idea" is also one of our most influential exports! International Cooperation Specialist Jon Putnam talks about his office’s global connections in science on its 60th anniversary. More information: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1955/index.htm. A production of Park Science magazine, Summer 2022 issue (June 22, 2022), https://www.nps.gov/subjects/parkscience.

Episode Two: A Landmark Program Celebrates a Milestone

Transcript

[INTRODUCTION, WITH MUSIC]: Park Science Celebrates is a podcast of Park Science magazine that highlights the milestones and contributions to science made by parks and programs of the National Park Service.

KASS: Hey, everyone, and welcome to another episode of Park Science Celebrates podcast. Listen to this and other podcasts on our website nps.gov forward slash park science. I'm your host, Kass Bissmeyer, and I'm here with my co-host Sarah Sparhawk. Hey, Sarah.

SARAH: Hey, Kass. Okay, so today we have three NPS staff on our podcast who helped to build a really unique function for the National Park Service: the National Natural Landmarks Program. Heather, Laurie, and Deb are going to share their contributions to science over their program’s 60 years.

KASS: And Heather, can you describe the National Natural Landmark Program for our listeners today?

HEATHER: Yeah, so the the National Natural Landmarks Program is…it's a partnership program, and it really helps to advance the National Park Service mission to extend the benefits of resource conservation to communities throughout the country. And it does this through designation by the Secretary of the Interior of sites that contain outstanding examples of biological and geological features. And so with that designation it creates a partnership between the Park Service and the many different public and private landowners at these NNL sites. And so it provides a really great way for the NPS to be able to engage with and and to support site owners in their conservation efforts.

KASS: And you mentioned sites, Heather. Are there a lot of sites, are there sites in every state? Can you tell us a little bit just about that you know approach to NNLs and and where they are?

HEATHER: Yeah, so there are currently sites all across the country and they're both in you know urban areas as well as well as as more rural settings. Some of them are a little bit more well-known , and some of them are are not terribly well known and are kind of off the beaten path. Um, there are sites in all states except for Delaware and Louisiana.

KASS: And one last point of clarification here. So you mentioned that it's a partnership. Does the National Park Service actually own any of these sites, any of the land, or is it purely owned by private individuals?

HEATHER: So…the Park Service…there are very few NNL sites that occur within units of the National Park System. There are about 25 of these designated areas that are within units of the National Park System. All of the rest of them are on lands of other ownership. So the bulk of these sites are on lands owned by states or counties, other federal agencies, tribes, municipal agencies, and and even private landowners. So we see NNLs occurring really within and on lands of of all types of ownership.

SARAH: So, Heather, what are we celebrating today. Can you tell us a little bit about this program's milestone?

HEATHER: We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the NNL program. It was established on May 18th in 2 by Secretary of the Interior Stuart Udall. And really this this milestone is the celebration of six decades of partnership provides a really great opportunity to bring awareness to the program into the network of sites it's also a really great opportunity to honor the the efforts of these various you know public and private landowners who have been responsible for stewarding these sites over these years.

KASS: Deb, what does this diamond milestone mean to to your regional office?

DEB: It's kind of reiterating what we've really focused on this year and have been excited about with the anniversary. It’s just shining a light on the work that our landmark owners have done. You know, obviously, it's not been the same owners for the past years in all cases or managers. But that culative effort by all of those various, from private up to other federal agency, landowners that have contributed to this program and and preserving these sites that carry the designation.

SARAH: Six, six decades. Surely there's got to be some amazing contributions to science in that time. Let's hear about some of them. Heather?

HEATHER: Some of the ways that the program has contributed to science is through the the fact that one of the criterion for becoming a national natural landmark is one of the significance criteria is for the the value of the site to science and education. And so that is considered as part of that sort of the early evaluation of these areas. So so many of these sites kind of provide this representation of areas that have significance or value you know to science. And so there are sites that are are recognized because they were part of some of the very early science of paleontology or you know understanding our world from long ago. And and others are like long-term research sites.

KASS: Any endemic species or specific species that have newly been identified in any of the NNL sites?

DEB: We actually do have on Muskegon Island in Massachusetts… there is an endemic vole. They also have a massive gray seal breeding population, and that's another big research topic out there. And that's a that's a site that has contributed greatly to both gray seal recovery and research into gray seal population dynamics. But but but that is one that comes to mind that they have. And and there's been some study of the vole, but certainly not as much as the gray seal. So that's that's definitely something that could use use more use more research. That's a future topic.

KASS: Very cool. We'll put that on our list to go check out; how cool is that? I kind of want to turn to looking ahead and talk a little bit about what your program…at this milestone…what you're enthusiastic about right now. Like what's what's happening right now that each of you could be excited about. And Laurie, let's start with you.

LAURIE: Yeah, thanks, Kass. I am particularly excited about my relationship with the Ice Age Flood National Geologic Trail. It celebrates the Missoula Ice Age floods, partnering very closely with the new project manager. We have eight NNLs along the along the trail that we're celebrating and, you know, working together to feature those sites in his material as well as our NNL material. And just recently, that group has asked me to be on their technical committee, so I am very excited about that. And just bringing the awareness, the NNL awareness, to that group has been fantastic.

KASS: That's awesome; that's definitely a trail I want to check out too. Deb, how about you? What do you most enthusiastic about right now?

DEB: Well, my answer is probably a little bit more selfish. I'm kind of excited about , after the lack of travel the past few years, getting back out to the landmark sites and reconnecting with all of the owners and managers. And learning about, you know, what has been going on in at the landmarks and in their worlds as far as conservation. And probably some new science that they're doing that we don't that we don't currently know about.

KASS: And Heather?

HEATHER: I think one of the things that I'm excited about are some of the program materials that we have been recently putting together. Really, we've been doing this not only to share with the public but really with the focus of providing these two site owners and managers and with the idea that this is going to help equip them to tell the story. So the the way, you know, the more that we can make this information readily available and easily digestible, they can then take that and and and use their voice to to share with others about the the designation and the resources, the significant resources at their site. And and really help to kind of impart the importance of these areas.

KASS: Yeah, we'll put that in the listener notes so folks can access that too as well as of course the National Natural Landmarks website link too. This is great; I mean it's making me excited. I’m enthusiastic about the program, excited about the the milestone anniversary here.

SARAH: Yes, thanks Kass. I would love to hear about how are you tackling some of the oncoming issues in science as it relates to the NNLs.

LAURIE: Thanks Sarah. You know I’m just going to say, just internally, we have been really working as the Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Division as an example to to build those relationships and kind of collaborate with those programs so that we can better serve the landmark owners. For example, we have just worked the national trails and Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. We now know all the trails and rivers within our NNLs, and minimally, it is exciting to share that information, that kind of crosswalk, with site managers. There's more to come on that front, but these relationships are beneficial, I think, to everyone.

DEB: Well, I think as far as I mean our role in the program…it’s more when you talk about oncoming science issues…it’s to highlight what the NNL owners and managers are doing to rise to those challenges. And, you know, do the research and science that's necessary to answer those questions and come up with a way to to tackle those issues. You know, it's really the you know…We ourselves may not be directly involved in the science; we sometimes can broker assistance from Park Service scientists to help out at NNLs. But generally, it's the site owners and managers that are doing the science, and so that's…I can easily name off a handful of sites that are actually owned by academic institutions. There really is a lot of research and science and some of it cutting edge dealing with climate change and, you know, monitoring changes in forest ecology…I know that's a big topic right now, a forest resiliency, so so all this stuff is going on at NNLs, we're not directly involved, but we really strive to kind of elevate what they're doing at these sites.

KASS: I want to switch gears a little bit it. You know, I think one of the things that—especially with a long-standing program like this—you guys are probably constantly in some sort of planning mode. I want us to look ahead to the 70th anniversary, the 75th anniversary…Give us a sneak peek what's what's on the horizon as far as NNL’s future potential contributions to science, potential new sites that you you may be thinking about. Give us that little sneak peek, Heather.

HEATHER: No some of the the the things that I think that we've been working on I think to set us up, we are really investigating and looking at where overlap exists. So we're working to understand how and where do NNLs overlap with other areas of designation. So national heritage areas or national trails. And so having even just that general understanding of of these sort of this layering you will of of, you know, different recognitions, the the better that we can help build those bridges and make those connections, which aid in when sites are looking to do projects. I mean it provides that sort of network for broadening the scope, potentially bringing in partners, and and having it be a broader landscape, collaborative project. So even that basic understanding is really exciting and kind of positions us in the years ahead for that. We're also looking at it from a resource perspective, so understanding across the landscape where's the commonality and resources among sites. Again that just helps with better making those connections to to enable sort of a broadening of scope and partnering for for projects and and…

KASS: Thanks so much, Heather. One last question here, and then we're going to open it up for anything that we might have missed for our listeners, but…if you could partner with anyone or any organization to to advance your work in science, who would it be? And let's just start with Laurie, and then we'll head to Heather and then Deb.

LAURIE: I would like to partner with the National Park Foundation both to raise our profile within the national park service but an opportunity to help our sites with a little bit of funding. I mean, we have this great honorific designation we bring to them, a nationally significant natural resource. But it it would so often be nice to actually help them out, whether it's helping with an interp exhibit, a brochure, a trail, trails work.

We are working with NRSS to start to use their science arm, so we can, you know, offer stream restoration and some of those in-kind services. But sometimes, all sites need, you know, as…a few grand. And that would be great to have the foundation recognize us as an extension of the National Park Service and park units.

KASS: I like that idea, Laurie, yeah, that sounds great. Heather, who would it be for you? Who would you partner with if you could.

HEATHER: And I think that the National Geographic comes to mind. I think just from the perspective of helping share science stories and and providing even that broader audience that is already tied into the the National Geographic.

KASS: Deb, let's head to you. You've been with NNLs for quite some time. Who would you partner with if you could?

DEB: So it's a large question with a very open field, but I’m going to…I’m going more narrow. And I’m thinking within the Park Service and the I and M program—the Inventory and Monitoring Program. I think that's always been on my mind for some years as far as where there might be opportunities for some some crossover, since I know that there are a lot of NNLs all throughout these I and M networks that are dealing with this a lot of the same issues that the parks are. And so, there just seems like there would be a good fit there for some form of collaboration.

KASS: I say let's do all three. Each of those partners sound great. I’m surprised we're not working with some of them to help advance your work. And in some ways, surprised that your work has gone six years without some of those tools and important contributions from partners like that. So bravo to you all. Hopefully, we might have planted a little seed there for some partnership in the future. We just want to close out with anything that we might have missed for our listeners today. Anything that you'd like to comment on, something that you'd like to elevate, and and just help our listeners understand the National Natural Landmark Program a little bit better or how they can get involved. Laurie let's start with you, and then we'll head to Deb.

LAURIE: I think it's just sharing the fact with land managers and owners that they are indeed managing, overseeing, a nationally significant natural resource and make them excited about that. And they usually are. When you say it that way, they suddenly, you know, get a little taller. That is both really, really cool and really terrifying. So as an agency, right, are we doing enough to shore up these nationally significant resources—the the age-old question.

DEB: Just that, you know, these landmarks are everywhere, all across the country. So people can get involved by…visit our website. I’m sure you will find a landmark near you that is open to the public or that you can get permission to go visit, and you can get involved. A lot of these sites are owned by organizations that are looking for volunteers and monitors to check in on these sites periodically so there's lots of opportunities to to get involved for sure.

HEATHER: Yeah, I would just add on to what Laurie and Deb have said. Again, with this designation, the Park Service doesn't have management authority. And and really, the reason that conservation happens at these sites is because of that voluntary commitment and the stewardship of the various owners. And so, in addition to, you know, checking them out, see what's nearby, you know, give them a thanks. I mean, we are certainly shouting out to all of the all of our partners and and NNL owners and managers for their efforts over the years. Because these are these are really spectacular sites that illustrate the the real diversity of natural features in our country. And so a shout out to them and their efforts to to steward them over these years.

SARAH: Well, this has been really awesome to talk to the three of you today. You have so much knowledge about the program. And I think we've given our listeners a lot to think about and lots of different ways to celebrate the program throughout the rest of this year. So thank you so much for joining Kass and I today.

KASS: Yes and congratulations on your 60th anniversary! What a milestone,

[CONCLUSION, WITH MUSIC]: This has been Park Science Celebrates, a podcast of Park Science magazine.

The National Natural Landmarks Program celebrates its 60th anniversary! Hear from program managers Heather Eggleston, Laurie Lee Jenkins, and Deb DiQuinzio how this program works to promote the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail and other amazing places. More information: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nnlandmarks/index.htm. A production of Park Science magazine, Summer 2022 issue (June 22, 2022), https://www.nps.gov/subjects/parkscience.