Part of a series of articles titled Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
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STEM for Justice: How the NPS is Using Data to Protect Parks and Communities
In a world facing increasing environmental challenges, the National Park Service (NPS) is stepping up to ensure that our parks are not only beautiful but also resilient. And at the heart of this effort is the power of STEM.
Meet Environmental Compliance and Cleanup Division (ECCD)
The NPS ECCD is a specialized office of top-level subject matter experts in technology, engineering, and policy development that manages the cleanup of legacy pollution sites found in many National Park System units. In order to do this, one of ECCD's key tools is geographic information systems (GIS). Imagine creating maps that not only show the location of mountains and rivers but also reveal hidden patterns of pollution and identify communities that are most vulnerable to environmental harm. That's what ECCD is doing!
They've developed a cutting-edge mapping methodology using publicly available and nationally consistent datasets to identify disadvantaged communities located near our national parks. This helps the NPS make informed decisions about where to invest in cleanup projects, ensuring that the benefits reach those who need them most. As the available data and statistical methods continue to evolve, ECCD’s team will be able to help further advance NPS geospatial methodologies.
The NPS ECCD is a specialized office of top-level subject matter experts in technology, engineering, and policy development that manages the cleanup of legacy pollution sites found in many National Park System units. In order to do this, one of ECCD's key tools is geographic information systems (GIS). Imagine creating maps that not only show the location of mountains and rivers but also reveal hidden patterns of pollution and identify communities that are most vulnerable to environmental harm. That's what ECCD is doing!
They've developed a cutting-edge mapping methodology using publicly available and nationally consistent datasets to identify disadvantaged communities located near our national parks. This helps the NPS make informed decisions about where to invest in cleanup projects, ensuring that the benefits reach those who need them most. As the available data and statistical methods continue to evolve, ECCD’s team will be able to help further advance NPS geospatial methodologies.
Responding to the Storm:
When hurricanes threaten our national parks ECCD's STEM expertise becomes even more critical. For example, ECCD worked with NPS regional environmental managers to assess the likelihood of impacts from Hurricanes Milton and Helene on contaminated sites in park units in the southeast U.S. by ranking the potential impacts from low to high, based on the path of each hurricane, landslide potential, local wind speeds, stream-gauges, and utility and road closures, among other metrics. This helps park managers prioritize their response efforts, ensuring that resources are used effectively to protect both people and the environment, particularly given the widespread damage caused by the hurricanes. ECCD and NPS Regional coordinators are now thinking through processes to help managers plan and prepare for emergency response actions in advance of future natural disasters.
When hurricanes threaten our national parks ECCD's STEM expertise becomes even more critical. For example, ECCD worked with NPS regional environmental managers to assess the likelihood of impacts from Hurricanes Milton and Helene on contaminated sites in park units in the southeast U.S. by ranking the potential impacts from low to high, based on the path of each hurricane, landslide potential, local wind speeds, stream-gauges, and utility and road closures, among other metrics. This helps park managers prioritize their response efforts, ensuring that resources are used effectively to protect both people and the environment, particularly given the widespread damage caused by the hurricanes. ECCD and NPS Regional coordinators are now thinking through processes to help managers plan and prepare for emergency response actions in advance of future natural disasters.
STEM in Action:
ECCD's work is a testament to the power of STEM to address real-world challenges. Their innovative use of technology and data analysis is helping to create a more sustainable future for our national parks and the communities that surround them.
"Using mapping tools allowed me to quickly identify which contaminated sites in parks in my region were most likely impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton. For parks with multiple sites and significant facility damage across the park, being able to prioritize and ask about specific sites, instead of all sites, makes the best use of the parks' time as they respond to the hurricanes' impacts."
~CDR Kelly Kachurak, PE, MS; NPS Region Environmental Coordinator
Your Future in STEM:
If you're passionate about using your STEM skills to make a difference, the ECCD's work is an inspiring example of what's possible. Whether you're a future engineer, scientist, or data analyst, your talents can help protect our environment and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of our national parks.
ECCD's work is a testament to the power of STEM to address real-world challenges. Their innovative use of technology and data analysis is helping to create a more sustainable future for our national parks and the communities that surround them.
"Using mapping tools allowed me to quickly identify which contaminated sites in parks in my region were most likely impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton. For parks with multiple sites and significant facility damage across the park, being able to prioritize and ask about specific sites, instead of all sites, makes the best use of the parks' time as they respond to the hurricanes' impacts."
~CDR Kelly Kachurak, PE, MS; NPS Region Environmental Coordinator
Your Future in STEM:
If you're passionate about using your STEM skills to make a difference, the ECCD's work is an inspiring example of what's possible. Whether you're a future engineer, scientist, or data analyst, your talents can help protect our environment and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of our national parks.
Last updated: November 12, 2024