NPS Management Policies

NPS Management Policies 2006

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8.10 Natural and Cultural Studies, Research,
and Collection Activities

MANAGEMENT POLICIES 2006

Studies, research, and collection activities by non-NPS
personnel involving natural and cultural resources will be
encouraged and facilitated when they otherwise comport
with NPS policies. Scientific activities that involve field
work or specimen collection, or that have the potential
to disturb resources, the visitor experience, or park
operations, require a permit issued by the superintendent
that prescribes appropriate conditions for protecting park
resources, visitors, and operations. Such studies may require
additional permits from other jurisdictions.
(See Studies and Collections 4.2; Independent Research 5.1.2;
Independent and Commercial Studies 8.11.3)

8.11 Social Science Studies
8.11.1

General

Understanding the changing demographics of our nation is
critical to the future of the National Park Service. The Park
Service will actively seek to better understand the values
and connections the changing U.S. population has, or does
not have, for our natural and cultural heritage so that the
Service can be responsive and relevant to public needs and
desires. This includes understanding why people do or do
not visit national parks.
The National Park Service will facilitate social science
studies that support the NPS mission by providing
an understanding of park visitors, the nonvisiting
public, gateway communities and regions, and human
interactions with park resources. This approach will
provide a scientific basis for park planning, development,
operations, management, education, and interpretive
activities. Investigators will be encouraged to use the parks
for scientific studies whenever such use is consistent with
NPS policies that recognize the scientific value of parks as
laboratories. Specific guidance is provided in Director’s
Orders #75A: Civic Engagement and Public Involvement,
and #78: Social Science.
Studies include short- or long-term scientific investigations
in NPS areas that may involve social science surveys and
research. The data and information acquired through
scientific activities conducted in the parks will be
made broadly available to park managers, the scientific
community, and the public, except where legal restrictions
apply. Studies may include both internally and externally
conducted projects by researchers and scholars with
universities; foundations and other nongovernmental
organizations; federal, state and local agencies; chambers
of commerce; industry organizations; and NPS staff.
The Park Service will promote cooperative relationships
with educational and scientific institutions and qualified
individuals (1) when specialized expertise exists that can
be of significant assistance to the Service in obtaining
information, and (2) when the opportunity for research and
study in the parks offers institutions a significant benefit
to their programs. NPS facilities and assistance may be

made available to qualified researchers conducting NPSauthorized studies. NPS or other federally funded studies
that rely on survey instruments or focus groups are strictly
regulated and must be approved by the Park Service, the
Department of the Interior, and the Office of Management
and Budget before they can be used to gather information
directly from visitors or the general public.
(See Managing Information 1.9.2; Studies and Collections
4.2; Research 5.1, Planning 5.2; Appropriate Use 8.1.1; Special
Park Uses 8.6; NPS-supported Studies 8.11.2; Independent
and Commercial Studies 8.11.3; Department of the Interior
Interim Guidelines for Collection of Information from the
Public. Also see Director’s Order #17: Tourism))

8.11.2

NPS-supported Studies

The National Park Service is responsible for the
identification and acquisition of needed inventory,
monitoring, and research, as well as for the interpretation
of the management and operational implications of such
studies. The Service will use the best available science to
assist park managers in addressing management needs
and objectives that have been identified in legislation and
planning documents.
The Service will support studies to
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reach a level of understanding that will minimize
“crisis” management;

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ensure a systematic and fully adequate park information
base;

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provide a sound basis for policy, planning, and
decision-making;

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develop effective strategies, methods, and technologies
to predict, avoid, or minimize unacceptable impacts on
resources, visitors, and related activities;

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determine causes of resource management problems;

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further understand park ecosystems and related human
social systems, and document their components,
condition, and significance;

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evaluate visitor satisfaction with services, facilities, and
recreational opportunities;

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ensure that the interpretation of park resources and
issues reflects current standards of scholarship for the
history, science, and condition of the resources;

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evaluate performance measures in support of strategic
plan goals;

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establish economic measures and impact indicators of
interest or importance;

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improve understanding of local, regional, and national
demographics and trends.

Superintendents may authorize park staff to carry out
routine duties without requiring a research/collecting
permit. NPS-supported research will rely on high-quality
methods and undergo peer review. NPS-supported scientists
will be expected to publish their fi ndings in refereed
journals, among other outlets.