National Park Service Advisory Board appointed
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has appointed 12 new members to the National Park System Advisory Board.
The Board, first authorized in 1935, advises the Secretary and the Director of the National Park Service (NPS) on matters relating to the Service's work.
"The members of the board are highly accomplished men and women whose creativity and wisdom will help us prepare for the challenges of the National Parks Service's second hundred years," said Secretary Salazar.
Eight of the new members previously served on the independent Second Century Commission that was charged with developing a 21st century vision for the National Park Service. In 2009 the commission submitted a comprehensive report that included sweeping recommendations for enhancing the ability of the National Park Service to share its natural heritage with all Americans and engage them in its protection.
"The mission of the NPS is more vital than ever as we work to fulfill the promise of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative," added Secretary Salazar. "The issues we face today such as the economy, climate change, connecting Americans to the great outdoors, obesity, and the loss of cultural literacy are all areas that the board can help us address."
