EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

National Park Service Sites, including Parks, Monuments, Historic Sites, Preserves, and other designations are universally loved and visited. Every Site is meaningful and impressive. These Sites, and the National Park Service’s efforts, promote shared national heritage, provide uniform protection and access, and have established an iconic, attractive, and economically valuable identity over a legacy-rich 109-year history. We cannot be the generation (and you must not be the congress) that stands idle as these irreplaceable treasures are removed from the best and strongest management and protections we can provide. Reinforce America’s Best Idea by ensuring the NPS budget is sufficient to manage national treasures big or small, known or unknown.

SUBSTANTIAL RATIONALE FOR FEDERAL MANAGEMENT:

I.           National Parks of All Designations are National

a.      National Park Sites represent national identity for all Americans.

b.      National Park Sites bring national attention to local sites of national significance.

c.      National Park Sites reinforce and teach shared humanity that connects all people.

II.         National Parks Ensure Uniform Management, Education, and Access

a.      National Park Sites share a unique mandate “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” NPS Organic Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1 (1916).

b.      National Park Sites ensure uniform, cross-jurisdictional, management and standards of protection insulated from special interests.

c.      National Park Sites distribute uniform, highly digestible, and well-vetted (ecological, historical, archaeological, geological, paleontological, recreational, etc.) education content.

d.      National Park Sites offer the most accessible multi-faceted (ecology, history, archaeology, anthropology, geology, recreation, etc.) experience for participants of all ages and abilities.

III.      National Parks Represent An Irreplaceable Legacy and Symbol

a.      National Park Sites have unmistakable brand value that carries significant meaning, sets consistent expectation, demands attention, and drives economy. The Arrowhead IS value.

b.      National Park Sites managed by the Park Service, offer outstanding competency and quality of service, that cannot be matched by a patchwork of state and local entities.

c.      a.      National Park Sites are subject to economies of scale, shared financial resources and expertise, and would not be guaranteed successful management or funding at state-level.

d.      National Park Sites constitute a historically bipartisan and highly popular goal and pastime.

NECESSARY ACTION:

The National Park System has changed my life. I have always loved NPS-designated sites, and “National Parking” is now a life-defining passion and hobby. My wife and I have visited 52/433 sites, usually with children, and have a goal to visit them all (and collect all Unigrid Brochures in the process). The Parks are deeply moving, but every site visited has impressed us. Even designations like Monuments, Historic Sites, and Preserves have left significant and lasting impressions and have provided an irreplaceable opportunity to learn and connect with nationally significant content and expand myself in the process. Please protect the NPS.

PETITION:

MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT FUNDING TO ENSURE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SITES REMAIN UNDER FEDERAL NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MANAGEMENT