NPCA Reports
America's Heritage For Sale
April 2008
To protect our national heritage, NPCA is calling on Congress and the next Administration to provide the funding needed to acquire the critical, 1.8 million acres of private land within the boundaries of our national parks, or risk losing it to development.
Southern California's Mediterranean Biome Parks
A State of the Parks® Report
April 2008
Center for State of the Parks® researchers used established, peer-reviewed methodologies to systemically rate conditions of both natural and cultural resources at Channel Islands National Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Cabrillo National Monument. Southern California's Mediterranean Biome Parks: A Resource Assessment describes these sites and their significance, and summarizes resource conditions.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
A State of the Parks® Report
March 2008
Recognizing San Antonio Missions National Historical Park's significance to our shared national heritage, NPCA's Center for State of the Parks endeavored to determine the conditions of the cultural resources protected within the park.
Virgin Islands National Park
A State of the Parks® Report
March 2008
This report by NPCA's Center for State of the Parks describes Virgin Islands National Park's and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument's diverse natural and cultural resources, summarizes current conditions of those resources, illuminates resource threats, and describes some of the ways resource managers are working to improve resource conditions.
San Juan Island National Historical Park
A State of the Parks® Report
November 2007
According to an assessment by NPCA’s Center for State of the Parks, current overall conditions of San Juan Island National Historical Park's known cultural resources rated a "fair" score of 67 out of 100. Funds are needed to support maintenance and rehabilitation of historic structures as well as archaeological work. Natural resources received a "fair" score of 72 out of 100. Non-native rabbits and invasive plants are invading the park’s prairie.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
A State of the Parks® Report
November 2007
According to NPCA's Center for State of the Parks assessment, current overall conditions of Fort Pulaski National Monument's known cultural resources rated "fair" with a score of 69 out of 100. The park lacks enough space to store its museum collection, and more research is needed on historic structures and historical topics.
National Parks of the Great Lakes
A State of the Parks® Report
October 2007
Recognizing the significance of the Great Lakes, the Center for State of the Parks endeavored to determine the conditions of natural and cultural resources at six parks along the lakes.
Assateague Island National Seashore
A State of the Parks® Report
August 2007
According to NPCA's Center for State of the Parks assessment, Assateague's natural resources rank in "fair" condition, scoring an overall 75 out of 100 points. The assessment also finds that Assateague's cultural resources are in "poor" condition, scoring an overall 58 out of 100.
Unnatural Disaster: Global Warming and Our National Parks
July 2007
Although the situation seems dire, NPCA's report says we can still halt the most severe effects of climate change if we take action now.
Gateway National Recreation Area
A State of the Parks® Report
May 2007
Current overall conditions of Gateway's known cultural and natural resources rated "poor" scores of 46 and 53, respectively. This report contains descriptions of park resources and summaries of resource conditions.
Big Hole National Battlefield
A State of the Parks® Report
January 2007
Current overall conditions of Big Hole National Battlefield’s known cultural and natural resources rated “fair” scores of 70 and 74, respectively. This report contains descriptions of park resources and summaries of resource conditions.
U.S. National Park System: An Economic Asset at Risk
December 2006
According to a new economic analysis released by the National Parks Conservation Association, America's National Park System generates more than four dollars in value to the public for every tax dollar invested by the Federal Government.
5 Ways America Can Fix Our National Parks
October 2006
America's national parks are in crisis-- underfunding, traffic congestion, and pollution are all taking their toll. This report details NPCA's plan for how to fix the parks before their 100th birthday.
National Parks Along the Lewis and Clark Trail
A State of the Parks® Report
September 2006
During the bicentennial year of the conclusion of Lewis and Clark’s journey, the Center for State of the Parks endeavored to determine the conditions of cultural and natural resources at six national parks that are associated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Turning Point
August 2006
NPCA's report reveals air pollution is a system-wide challenge for the national parks with one in three parks--more than 150 of the 390 national park units in the National Park System--located in parts of the country where air pollution exceeds federal standards.
Who's Counting
August 2006
NPCA's Who's Counting? report examines the data available to the National Park Service in considering the management of wildlife populations.
Gateway to Yellowstone
May 2006
In 2005, through its offices in Helena and Livingston, Montana, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) commissioned four studies to explore the roots of the Yellowstone region's tremendous economic success.
Variety and Adventure in the California Desert:
A Guide to Responsible Recreation
April 2006
This guide and accompanying map offers guidelines for enjoying outdoor activities on public lands responsibly.
Catoctin Mountain Park
A State of the Parks® Report
March 2006
Located about 60 miles from both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Catoctin Mountain Park is home to more than 1,000 native plant and animal species. The condition of the park’s natural resources scored the highest of nearly all parks assessed by NPCA’s Center for State of the Parks thus far.
Biscayne National Park
A State of the Parks® Report
February 2006
NPCA’s State of the Parks assessment rates the park’s natural and cultural resources in poor condition, and in need of immediate attention.
Florida Bay
A State of the Parks® Report
December 2005
NPCA's State of the Parks assessment reveals that Florida Bay's resources are challenged by continued human interference.
Longfellow National Historic Site
A State of the Parks® Report
August 2005
NPCA is concerned that the parks funding shortfall undermines progress made to restore and preserve the site over the past few years.
Zion National Park
A State of the Parks® Report
July 2005
NPCA’s assessment of Zion National Park, one of the earliest additions to the National Park System, reveals that interpretive staff number one to every 105,000 visitors--a shortage which limits meaningful visitor experiences.
Big Thicket
A State of the Parks® Report
July 2005
At Big Thicket National Preserve, archaeological resources, logging mills, oil wells, and homesteads tell the stories of 8,000 years of human history. NPCA's assessment reveals that these resources are threatened by development as well as potentially damaging proposals to construct Fastrill Reservoir and Rockland Dam on the Neches River.
Bryce Canyon
A State of the Parks® Report
June 2005
Today, Bryce Canyon natural resources are in "good" condition. Air quality in the park is generally excellent; scenic vistas can stretch for up to 200 miles. Overall condition of Bryce Canyon's cultural resources is another matter.
California Desert State of the Parks Report
June 2005
NPCA’s comprehensive assessment of the health of Joshua Tree and Death Valley national parks and Mojave National Preserve in the California desert reveals disconcerting threats to park air and water quality from development, and insufficient funding, which is affecting the condition of cultural artifacts, historic sites, and other treasures.
FADED GLORY: Top Ten Reasons to Reinvest in Our National Park Heritage
March 2005
The Park Service’s budget is insufficient to address myriad needs including poaching and drug smuggling, invasive plants and animals, shoddy roads and trails, and cutbacks in educational programs for school groups and park visitors.
Making the Grade
January 2005
Educational Opportunities and Challenges in California's National Parks.
Hopewell Furnace
A State of the Parks® Report
October 2004
Cumulative funding constraints have forced this southeastern Pennsylvania park to severely limit its living history programs, reducing its ability to educate visitors.
What I did on My Summer Vacation
September 2004
NPCA members and park advocates share their summer vacation stories in the national parks.
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site
A State of the Parks® Report
September 2004
The home, studios, and gardens of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of America's foremost sculptors, won't win critical praise.
Canyonlands National Park
A State of the Parks® Report
September 2004
On Canyonlands' 40th birthday, report reveals midlife crisis.
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
A State of the Parks® Report
July 2004
Although its legacy continues to play a pivotal role in the lives of Plains Indians, Fort Laramie National Historic Site in Wyoming does not yet adequately interpret this history for visitors.
Code Red: America's Five Most Polluted National Parks
June 2004
From the Great Smoky Mountains to Sequoia-Kings Canyon, our national parks suffer from pollution that rivals the nation's worst cities.
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
A State of the Parks® Report
June 2004
Fort Necessity is under siege again. A critical shortfall in funding could cost this park the battle to preserve our national heritage.
Olympic National Park
A State of the Parks® Report
May 2004
Olympic gets a silver medal for park health, but could be disqualified for inadequate funding.
Andersonville National Historic Park
A State of the Parks® Report
May 2004
Known as Camp Sumter during the American Civil War, Andersonville held captive more than 45,000 prisoners of war and was one of the largest and most notorious Confederate military prisons. Today this park is suffering from a serious budget shortfall.
The Burgeoning Backlog
May 2004
Decades of insufficient funding in the national parks—a situation that has caused a growing backlog of deferred maintenance projects, is now estimated by the General Accounting Office at $4 billion to $6.8 billion.
C&O Canal National Historical Park
A State of the Parks® Report
April 2004
On the 50th anniversary celebration of a Supreme Court justice's hike to save the C&O Canal from being covered in asphalt, this report reveals that the canal's future is again in question -- this time by an annual funding shortfall in excess of $13 million, development, and other threats.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
A State of the Parks® Report
April 2004
The most popular park in the national park system faces a critical shortage of funding and is plagued by air pollution and invasive species.
Endangered Rangers
April 2004
A study of the severe staffing shortages crippling America's national parks.
Big Bend National Park
A State of the Parks® Report
November 2003
Big Bend may appear pristine, but historical land uses have caused extirpation of several native species, considerable soil erosion, and a general decline in the condition of both natural and cultural resources.
Economic Impact of Visitor Spending in California's National Parks
November 2003
With the establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, America's national parks have protected our most fragile natural and cultural landscapes and provided opportunities for adventure, inspiration, relaxation, and education. The national parks have also served as tremendous economic engines, supporting businesses and jobs in neighboring communities that have come to depend upon the viability of the parks.
Gateway to Glacier
May 2003
In 2002, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)—through its Northern Rockies regional offices located in Whitefish and Helena—commissioned three separate studies to explore the roots of economic vitality in Flathead County, the primary "gateway" to Glacier National Park.
Denali National Park and Preserve
A State of the Parks® Report
July 2003
Denali's remoteness, coupled with strict mandates to protect the park's wildlife habitat and large-scale functioning ecosystems, have helped this special place remain much as it has for millennia. However, concerns about sweeping changes in motorized access, along with degradation by airborne contaminants may soon alter Denali's health.
Little Bighorn National Battlefield
A State of the Parks® Report
June 2003
Over the past 30 years, management and interpretation of the 765-acre Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument has evolved
from a primary emphasis on the "white man's" story to inclusion of all those who were affected by the battle.
Shenandoah National Park
A State of the Parks® Report
June 2003
Beneath its magnificence, Shenandoah is a park in jeopardy. Years of inadequate funding coupled with serious threats to the park's resources are taking a toll. The challenge is to conserve what exists now, and in some cases to restore degraded resources, to ensure that the park remains healthy.
Gateway to Glacier
May 2003
NPCA—through its Northern Rockies regional offices located in Whitefish and Helena—commissioned three studies. These studies explore the roots of economic vitality in Flathead County, the primary gateway to Glacier. From three different angles, the studies help to illuminate important relationships among economic vitality, the natural environment, and the quality of life that is valued by both residents and visitors.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
A State of the Parks® Report
February 2003
The famous 19th-century African-American abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass is celebrated at the national historic site that preserves his Washington, D.C., home. The park lacks sufficient funding to ensure that it remains a fitting tribute to this truly great American. Furthermore, an unresolved moisture problem threatens the house and its treasures. (February 2003)
Biodiversity in the National Parks: Looming Threats to America's Most Valued Plants and Animals
December 2002
Our national parks preserve habitat for nearly 400 threatened and endangered species. Nevertheless, biodiversity has many threats, including habitat loss or degradation, invasive species, pressure to drill for oil or build along park boundaries, fragmented habitats too small to support a variety of species, and lack of funds for scientific research and resource protection.
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
A State of the Parks® Report
November, 2002
One of the continent's most valued treasures, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park contains 1.1 million acres of outstanding scenic values, diverse wildlife, sparkling waters, remarkable historic and cultural heritage, and more. But haphazard development of nearby landscapes and inadequate funding for basic park operations threaten the natural and cultural resources that make the Peace Park so extraordinary.
Rocky Mountain National Park
A State of the Parks® Report
August 2002
Rocky Mountain National Park boasts alpine meadows strewn with multi-colored wildflowers, mountainsides dotted with golden aspen, crystal-clear lakes, fast-flowing mountain streams, and a multitude of wildlife species. The park also contains six historic districts, hundreds of prehistoric archaeological sites, and thousands of artifacts.
Point Reyes National Seashore
A State of the Parks® Report
January 2002
Point Reyes National Seashore's marine and terrestrial ecosystems harbor an astonishingly rich array of wildlife species; some found nowhere else on Earth. A wide-ranging cultural and historical legacy dating back 5,000 years seizes the imagination of visitors.
Adams National Historical Park
A State of the Parks® Report
October 2001
Adams National Historical Park is the only place in the country
where the stories of two presidents can be told from birth to death. Today, we can still sense the presence of these men, their forebears, spouses, and descendants through visits to the Adamses' homes and gardens.
Analysis and Recommendations for the National Park Service in Response to Vision Statement
August 2001
NPCA's recommendations would bring significant and
needed improvements to the parks, protecting resources for future generations and creating a park system that serves Americans of all races and backgrounds.
Promise and Shortfalls in President's Plan for National Parks Funding
May 2001
For decades, the National Park Service has lacked the funds needed to manage adequately the wildlife, landscapes, and historic and cultural artifacts protected within the National Park System. The proposed $4.9 billion budget could solve many of the threats to natural and historical resources that have plagued the parks, but only if more of the money is directed toward programs designed to enhance resource protection and visitor education.
Alaska's National Parks: Conflict, Controversy, and Congress
2000
Twenty years after passage of a landmark wilderness protection law, the integrity of Alaskan national parks is still jeopardized.
Yellowstone Sound Survey
2000
The opportunity to experience natural sounds and silence is rare in our modernized world. National parks are among the last refuges where people can experience natural quiet. Current use of snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park undermines visitors' opportunities to hear natural sounds and quiet as part of their park experience.
