For the National Park Service, as well as individual parks, building trust with its many constituents will be accomplished in much the same manner as the examples I have given. Mr. Chairman, the opportunity is here. My own assessment from working and talking with park personnel is that they are ready. What they need and want is a call to action, proper encouragement, empowerment, and the skills to do the job. Embracing relationship building as a cornerstone strategy.
True relationships have long term staying power.
Partnerships and strategic alliances are types of relationships, like cause related marketing. But they are short term and often tactical. Their success, in fact, often depends on the foundation of a solid relationship. Resources can more easily be leveraged. Efficiencies can be gained through the lowering of transaction costs.