Science Supporting Parks

Good decisions start with good information.

The Inventory & Monitoring (I&M) Division is a servicewide program that provides science for park management. Natural resource inventories help us understand the range of natural resources in and around parks. Long-term monitoring helps us understand how these resources may be changing over time. At hundreds of National Park Service sites across the country, staff from 32 I&M networks gather, analyze, and communicate information on key park natural resources. These plants, animals, and systems, known as “vital signs,” are indicators of broader ecosystem health.

Before the I&M program was mandated by Congress in 1998, park managers were often unable to answer basic questions about which plants and animals were in a given park, and how those populations were doing. Today, the information we provide helps park managers make sound, science-based management decisions that help the National Park Service meet its mission to conserve America's most treasured places for the benefit of future generations.

  • Why We Monitor

    Why We Monitor

    The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program conducts long-term ecological monitoring within National Park sites, collaborates with a variety of partners, and provides valuable data to park managers and the public.

    Duration:
    5 minutes, 5 seconds
One person holding up a clump of algae while another snaps a picture with a phone.
Inventories

A set of basic inventories, including vegetation, species, landforms, air, and water, gives us a common starting point for monitoring.

Scientist inserting a probe into a glacier in North Cascades National Park.
Monitoring

Through careful, consistent long-term monitoring, we can detect if park resources are stable or might be changing.

A pika perched on a rock in a boulder field.
Monitoring for Climate Adaptation

When coupled with climate trends, long-term monitoring can help park managers make decisions in the context of changing climate conditions.

A cartoon of a ranger taking the Earth's vital signs.
Taking the Pulse of U.S. National Parks

How do we know if parks are healthy? We measure their vital signs, of course!

Two people smiling as they look up at a tall, flowering tropical plant.
Who We Are

Who is Inventory & Monitoring? We're over 300 National Park Service staff from across the country. Get to know us a little better!

Person sharing a small inflatable boat with a pile of water sampling equipment.
How We Work

What does our inventory and monitoring work entail? What tools and techniques do we use? Some of the answers might surprise you!

National Par Service scientist collecting data in a grassland habitat.
Making a Difference

Discover real-world examples of how Inventory & Monitoring helps support park management and decisionmaking.

Last updated: December 3, 2024

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