Social Science

The Organic Act requires the National Park Service to provide for the enjoyment of current and future generations. Understanding relationships between people and parks is critical for protecting resources unimpaired and providing for public enjoyment. The Social Science Program (SSP) conducts and promotes state-of-the-art social science related to the mission of the NPS, delivering usable knowledge to park managers and the public.

three people sit at the edge of a lake and enjoy the view
The National Park Service reported 323 million recreation visits in calendar year 2025.

Last updated: March 12, 2026

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