Judge Orders Reinstatement of Slavery Exhibits at President's House

The **National Park Service (NPS)** is a U.S. federal agency established in 1916 under the Department of the Interior, tasked with managing and preserving over 85 million acres across 433 units, including national parks, monuments, historic sites, and recreational areas in all 50 states and territories[4][5]. Its core mission is to **conserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values** of these lands for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of current and future generations[2][4]. The NPS oversees a diverse portfolio, including iconic natural landscapes such as Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, historic trails like the Appalachian Trail and the Trail of Tears, and numerous cultural heritage sites. It balances preservation with public access and education, providing visitor services and engaging over 279,000 volunteers as of recent years[4][3]. Key achievements include the establishment and protection of the National Trails System in 1968, which safeguards significant scenic and historic trails across the country[4]. The agency also plays a critical role in law enforcement, emergency response, firefighting, and border security within park boundaries, ensuring visitor safety and resource protection[3]. The National Park Service is supported by the **National Park Foundation**, its official nonprofit partner, which raises private funds and builds partnerships to enhance park conservation efforts and public programs, such as youth outdoor initiatives[1]. Together, these organizations focus on preserving landscapes, cultural sites, and wilderness areas while expanding public engagement through innovative programs and digital outreach[1][8]. In the context of business and technology, the NPS represents a significant federal enterprise managing vast natural and cultural capital with a budget of several billion dollars annually. It increasingly integrates technology for resource monitoring, visitor experience enhancement, and remote education, making it an evolving model of federal stewardship blending conservation with modern management[5][8].

# The U.S. Department of the Interior: Managing America's Natural Heritage The **United States Department of the Interior (DOI)** is a federal executive agency established on March 3, 1849, to manage the nation's vast natural resources and cultural heritage.[1] Today, it stands as one of the most expansive government departments, overseeing approximately 75% of federal public lands and administering programs affecting millions of Americans.[1] ## Core Responsibilities The DOI operates across multiple critical domains. It manages over 500 million surface acres of public lands, 700 million acres of subsurface minerals, and 1.7 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf.[4] The department supplies 30% of the nation's energy resources, manages water distribution across 17 Western states, and generates 15% of hydroelectric power.[4] Through nine major bureaus—including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs—the DOI balances resource development with conservation.[2] ## Historical Context and Evolution Created to address expanding federal domestic responsibilities, the DOI has evolved significantly since its inception.[2] The department manages national parks, wildlife refuges, and protected lands while upholding federal trust responsibilities to 567 federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages.[4] Despite its name, the DOI differs fundamentally from interior ministries in other nations; it focuses on environmental stewardship rather than internal security.[1] ## Current Operations Led by Secretary **Doug Burgum** since February 1, 2025, the department accounts for 0.3% of federal spending in FY 2024, with the National Park Service as its highest-spending division.[1][3] The DOI remains integral to American environmental policy, addressing contemporary challenges including wildlife conservation, endangered species protection