Upper Columbia Basin Network
Inventory and Monitoring Program
The Inventory and Monitoring Program is a major component of the National Park Service's strategy to preserve park natural resources "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
The Upper Columbia Basin Network is one of 32 "Vital Signs" Networks developed to help complete the National Inventory and Monitoring Program's objectives. The Upper Columbia Basin Network is composed of nine units managed by the National Park Service located in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. These units include: Big Hole National Battlefield (BIHO), City of Rocks National Reserve (CIRO), Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (CRMO), Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument (HAFO), John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (JODA), Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LARO), Minidoka Internment National Monument (MIIN), Nez Perce National Historical Park (NEPE), and Whitman Mission National Historic Site (WHMI).
The Goals of the I&M Program Are:
- Determine status and trends in selected indicators of the condition of park ecosystems to allow managers to make decisions based on the best available scientific information.
- Offer early warning of abnormal conditions and impairment of selected resources to help develop effective mitigation measures and reduce costs of management.
- Supply data to foster better understanding of the dynamic nature and condition of park ecosystems and to provide reference points for comparisons with other, altered environments.
- Provide data to meet legal and Congressional mandates related to natural resource protection and visitor enjoyment.
- Share accomplishments and information with others and form partnerships for reaching common goals and objectives.