The Southeast Alaska Network (SEAN) is one of 32 Inventory and Monitoring Networks within the National Park Service. Each network exists as part of a a national effort to better understand and manage park lands using science-based information. Networks consist of neighboring park units that share similar natural resources.
SEAN covers three national parks: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and Sitka National Historical Park. Collectively, these units contain approximately 3.3 million acres (1.3 million hectares) of parklands - nearly four percent of the total area managed by the National Park Service. These lands include 2.8 million acres (1.1 million hectares) of designated marine and terrestrial wilderness.
In order to track the condition of our parks, we have identified 36 Vital Signs which represent key elements and drivers of marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. Of these, SEAN has prioritized 12 Vital Signs as the Core Program - those highest priority Vital Signs on which the network will focus it's montoring efforts and resources. These Vital Signs have been identified through a rigorous scoping process that is described in the SEAN Monitoring Plan (available under the Plans and Key Documents page). SEAN is currently developing detailed monitoring protocols for each of these 12 Vital Signs, according to a 5-year schedule.
Learn more about Vital Signs...