Within the broad context of these challenges, the plan specifically addresses protecting habitat for endangered and native species, targeting non-native species for removal, inventorying natural resources and monitoring their condition, monitoring air and water quality, collaborating with other natural resource experts, and utilizing parks as scientific laboratories and classrooms. In response to these challenges, the Action Plan lists specific actions that are to be taken immediately. These funds will help complete natural resource inventories so that park managers have critical baseline data available for informed decision making. They will increase funding for large-scale preservation projects and target restoration of threatened and endangered species and restoration of areas damaged due to human disturbance. Future budget requests will increase park base-funding, expand the air quality monitoring network, establish water quality monitoring stations in 75 park units, and enhance NPS capability to prevent and prosecute resource crimes such as poaching.
Parks are extraordinary places from which to acquire knowledge and learn about the natural world.
With this effort the national parks will remain not only scenic vacation destinations but also natural laboratories, libraries and classrooms.