Knowing the condition of natural resources in national parks is fundamental to the National Park Service's ability to manage park resources "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations". National Park managers across the country are confronted with increasingly complex and challenging issues that require a broad-based understanding of the status and trends of park resources as a basis for making decisions and working with other agencies and the public for the benefit of park resources. The broad-based, scientifically sound information obtained through the Inventory and Monitoring program will have multiple applications for management decision-making, research, education, and promoting public understanding of park resources.

The Arctic Network is one of four networks in Alaska and 32 nationally.