The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the United States federal government operating under the Department of the Interior. Established by the United States Congress on August 25, 1916, through the National Park Service Organic Act, the agency was created to consolidate the management of the nation's federal lands. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NPS is entrusted with a dual mission: to preserve the ecological and historical integrity of its managed properties while ensuring they remain accessible for public use and enjoyment.\n\nToday, the NPS oversees a vast portfolio of natural, historical, and recreational properties, including all designated national parks and the majority of national monuments. Its administrative reach spans all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and various U.S. territories, covering more than 430 units and over 85 million acres of land. To manage these diverse environments, the agency employs approximately 20,000 people and coordinates a massive network of volunteers, which numbered over 279,000 in 2019, all working to maintain the delicate balance between environmental conservation and public recreation.
