Our Strategy

A holistic approach

Unlike many traditional challenges faced by park managers, climate change is both overarching and omnipresent. The influence of a warming world has ongoing implications for scenery, species, ecosystem processes, artifacts, historic buildings, infrastructure, visitor experience, and human safety. And because effects are likely to be experienced for many decades to come, it is important that units of the National Park System plan for climate change over the long term.

Successfully responding to this challenge requires that climate change considerations be institutionalized across every facet of daily operations. The National Park Service Climate Change Response Strategy provides an integrated blueprint for continued action, upon which additional guidance has been crafted for specific agency operations.

Dig deeper:

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  A Foundation

  Climate Change Response Strategy

  Released in 2010, the Climate Change Response Strategy guides the work of the National Park Service in responding to climate change

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  A Basis for Action

  Law and Policy

  The National Park Service is mandated -- through laws, policies, and directives -- to act

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  A Plan

  Planning for a Changing Climate

  The 2021 Planning for a Changing Climate document guides park managers as they respond and adapt to climate change