In just a few short years, the I&M networks have become known as a key source and supplier of

reliable, organized, and retrievable information about parks that was formerly unavailable, misplaced, or

lost to managers and others who needed the information for sound decisions or sound science.

“The Service will also strive to ensure that park resources and values are passed on to future

generations in a condition that is as good as, or better than, the conditions that exist today.”

“Decision makers and planners will use the best available scientific and technical information

and scholarly analysis to identify appropriate management actions for protection and use of

park resources”.

– NPS Management Policies

Condition-based Management

1. Establish natural resource inventory and monitoring as a standard practice throughout the National Park system that transcends traditional program, activity, and funding boundaries.

2. Inventory the natural resources ...

3. Monitor park ecosystems ...

4. Integrate natural resource inventory and monitoring information into NPS planning, management, and decision making.

5. Share NPS accomplishments and information with other natural resource organizations and form partnerships for attaining common goals and objectives.

I&M Program Goals

• Integration of Resource Management Applications

• Service-oriented Architecture (SOA): build once, use many times services that can be re-used by many applications

• Using industry standards to allow data exchange among IT systems

NRInfo Portal – initial release in May 2009

http://nrinfoKey Point: Not necessary to use the web portal to access information. Data exchange can occur among systems via queries: e.g., virtual learning centers

One or more databases in MS Access that conceivably could be

linked together through front-end switchboard/interface

Why don’t you askthe little Dweeb?

1999 Vision of an Integrated NR Database:

3-Year Start-up Reviews

• Reviews held 3 years after monitoring plan accepted and “boots on the ground” monitoring has been implemented.

• Brings park managers and scientists together to discuss their initial progress. “Is the network set up to succeed?”

• 3 years long enough to appreciate realities, but short enough to make adjustments before too much is invested.

• 15 Networks ( n = 140 parks) reviewed so far

• 2-3 day review meeting typically 20-40 people: park superintendents, NR chiefs, network staff, collaborators, interpreters, regional staff

0

20

40

60

80

100

NCCN

NCPN

CAKN

SFAN

NCRN

APHN

NCBN

GRYN

SODN

HTLN

CUPN

MED

N

NETN

SCPN

GLKN

Is the network off to a good start? Are you confident that the network will deliver relevant, useful data and information that will help us understand and

manage the natural resources of parks in our network"?Perc

en

t of

Resp

on

ses

Network

90%Avg.

Do you agree with the statement “Good data management, analysis, and reporting procedures seem to be in place, and I am confident that the network will deliver relevant, useful information to key audiences in a

format they can use”?

Perc

en

t of

Resp

on

ses

Network

83%Avg.

How Are We Doing?To date, has the network met or exceeded your expectations with

respect to improved access to data and information?

N = 334

Res

po

nse

s

Results from first 15 networks

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Exceeded Met Neutral Not Working

I&M Data Management – next decade

• Turning data into information: integration, synthesis, modeling

• NRInfo portal – ability to share data and information products among systems and with scientific community and constituents brings mind-boggling opportunities

• Climate change, energy issues, and NPS 100th anniversary will bring additional funding and staffing and opportunities.

Policy makers, Non-Scientists

Scientists, Field-level Practitioners

Science Environment

Public Environment

Effective communicatio

n

Sound Science

Partnerships with others to help communicate

scientific findings to the public and

for policy and decision-making

Resource BriefsCondition Summary Tables

I&M Network Staff need to develop and deliver products to parks at all levels of the pyramid; set aside adequate time and funding to make sure we provide

park managers and planners with information, not just data.

Models,Synthesis Reports,

Assessment Reports,Integrated GIS Analyses

Databases, GIS Products, SpreadsheetsMetadata, Catalogs, NPS Data Store

Data Summaries, Technical Reports, Maps,

Trend Analyses, Processed Data

If we don't change direction we are apt to end up where we are headed

-- Old Chinese Proverb

Vision StatementVision StatementInventory and Monitoring ProgramInventory and Monitoring Program

The Inventory and Monitoring Program will chart the course and provide the leadership and information resources

needed by the National Park Service to preserve and protect the natural resources placed under its trust by the American

people.

Through its accomplishments, the Program will enhance the National Park Service’s stature as an international leader in

natural resource management and stewardship.