Heartland Network Natural Resource Monitoring Program

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Heartland Network Natural Resource Monitoring
Program
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Cultural and Natural Significance of Heartland
Network Parks

• Protecting the Habitat of Our Heritage
• Free Flowing Rivers and Streams
• Presidents
• Deciduous Forests
• Civil War battlefields
• Prairies and Savannas
• Native Americans
• Wetlands
• Westward Expansion

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Natural Resource Management History in NPS

• 1930s, George Wright supports first faunal
  inventories
• 1940s, war reduces NPS natural resource staff
• 1956 66. Mission 66 develops visitor services
  to accommodate record visitation
• 1970s present, NPS takes responsibility for
  managing ecosystems
• 1993, NPS science staff transferred to National
  Biological Survey
• 1999, Natural Resource Challenge

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Natural Resource Management History in NPS
State of the Parks Report (circa 2000)

• 80 parks with no natural resource manager
• 84 parks with 1 or 2 professionals
• Crisis mode of operation
• Science/data and management disconnect
• Parks unable to state natural resource goals

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Natural Resource Challenge
Revitalize and expand the natural resource
program within the park service and improve park
management through greater reliance on scientific
knowledge
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Natural Resource Challenge Components

• Inventories
• Vital Signs Monitoring
• Collaboration
• Resource Planning
• Parks for Science
• Fully Professional Staff
• Non-native species
• Native and Endangered Species
• Environmental Stewardship
• Air Quality
• Water Resources
• Research Learning Centers

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Overview of Vital Signs Monitoring
Looking at systems on an ecological scale
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Purpose of Monitoring

• Determine the status/trends in the condition of
  park resources

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IM Networks
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Heartland Network
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Vital Signs Monitoring
To track indicators of overall health of the parks
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Vital Signs Monitoring 3 Characteristics

• Long-term, ecological monitoring perspective
• Integration and coordination among parks,
  programs and agencies
• Emphasis on Information Management

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Network Structure

• Board of Directors
• Superintendents assigned to the BOD on a rotating
  basis
• Technical Committee
• One representative from each member park

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Monitoring for use by Park Managers

• Inventory and monitoring are critical for
  cost effective, accountable resource management
  informed by scientific information.

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Management Needs for Monitoring Information
Natural and Cultural Landscape Restoration
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Management Needs for Monitoring Information
Recreation, Health and Safety
Effects of Prescribed Fire
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Management Needs for Monitoring Information
Grazing and Bison Management
Invasive Exotic Plant Management
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Connecting with Non-Scientists
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Connecting through Communicating
Plan provides the importance and methods of
communication. Matrix A treasure trove of
product designs, costs, sources for materials and
services, and Interpretive Competency
information. DVDs Containing templates and one
with radio message and video clip.

• People will only protect what they love, love
  what they understand, and understand what they
  are taught. (Senegalese saying)

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Example of Matrix Entry
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DVD with audio, video, and publications for all
HTLN parks
To familiarize stakeholders, partners and the
public with NPS monitoring activities
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Examples Materials for staff communication
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Examples Materials for visitor communication
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Banners to Loan

• Double banner is one-sided panels
• Single banners are double-sided panels

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Please Become Part of the Effort

• Read The Weather Vane
• Communication Plan and DVDs
• Create new materials or project ideas
• Borrow or request materials
• Accompany Heartland staff into the field