Natural Resource Condition Assessments for Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

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The Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) Program provides framework, funding, and publishing support to parks to aid in the synthesis and documentation of natural resource conditions. Condition assessment reports are a tool to describe selected park resources, and record a snapshot of their current condition, identify trends, and identify potential or current threats and stressors. Understanding the condition and trend of natural resources is key for parks and NPS planners to appropriately prioritize and allocate stewardship resources.

 

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP Formal Gardens & Mansion.

NPS/L. Shahi Photo.

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park is located in central Vermont, blanketed by sugar pines and 400-year-old hemlocks. The park preserves a nationally significant cultural landscape, and interprets conservation history and the evolving nature of land stewardship in America. Farming and associated agricultural enterprises define this area, and are interspersed with forested land. White-tail deer, wood ducks, barred owls, fishers, and painted turtles are just a few of the species that call the park home.

The landscape at this park is a nationally significant cultural resource, recognized for the historic forest conservation practices which were pioneered here, the prominent individuals who lived here, and as an example of historic agriculture and landscape design.

NRCA reports completed for this park:

Traditional NRCA: 2014

Traditional NRCA Report: 2014

In an effort to better understand the natural resources and processes present in Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park, a Natural Resource Condition Assessment was conducted and published in 2014. Natural Park Service representatives met and evaluated the park’s needs and available data. This team chose six resource topics and their associated indicators to assess:

		- Air and climate
		- Geology and soils
		- Water
		- Biological integrity
		- Human use
		- Landscapes

Overall, assessment of natural resource condition at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park reflected conditions supportive of a wide variety of native flora and fauna, as well as a satisfying visitor experience. Some notable problem areas reflect regional trends outside of the control of park managers. Climate change, poor air quality and invasive exotic species are only a few of the challenges that will continue to be actively managed within the park.

Links to other NRCA Products
Materials produced by the park and the NRCA Program.

For other reports and natural resource datasets visit the NPS Data Store.

Source: Data Store Collection 7765 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.