Livin' Part of Life

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Organic Act” creating the National Park Service, a federal bureau in the Department of the Interior responsible for maintaining national parks and monuments that were then managed by the department. The National Park System has since expanded to 428 units (often referred to as parks), more than 150 related areas, and numerous programs that assist in conserving the nation’s natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of current and future generations.

While there are at least 19 naming designations, these units are commonly referred to as “parks.” Multiple parks may be managed together as an administrative unit within the National Park Service.