Mid-Atlantic Network

Inventory and Monitoring Program

The Mid-Atlantic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program is part of an effort in the National Park Service to develop a stronger scientific basis for stewardship and management of natural resources across the National Park System.

The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program was initiated in 1992 with a focus on completion of basic resource inventories for all parks with significant natural resources, and development of prototype monitoring programs in selected parks and park clusters.

The next step in program development came with the authorization of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 that mandated the National Park Service “to establish baseline (resource) information and to provide information on the long-term trends in the condition of National Park System resources.” In response to this mandate, the National Park Service developed the Natural Resource Challenge – An Action Plan for Preserving Natural Resources. Under the Challenge, 32 networks of parks have been organized to support the development of integrated park natural resource inventory and monitoring programs and other strategic stewardship actions.

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