National Park Service Organic Act facts for kids
The National Park Service Organic Act is a very important U.S. law. It created the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS is a special group that takes care of America's amazing national parks and monuments. President Woodrow Wilson signed this law on August 25, 1916.
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What is the National Park Service Organic Act?
This law set up the rules for how the National Park Service should work. It made sure that all national parks, monuments, and other special areas are looked after. The main goal of the NPS is to protect the beautiful scenery, historical places, and wildlife. It also makes sure that people can enjoy these places. But it's super important that these places stay safe and beautiful for kids and families in the future.
Why Was the Act Created?
Before this Act, national parks and national monuments were managed in different ways. Some were looked after by individual people or groups. Others were even managed by the United States Army. This meant there wasn't one clear plan for how to protect these special places.
People started creating national parks in the late 1800s. National monuments followed in the early 1900s. But without one main organization, it was hard to keep everything organized. Some groups, like the American Civic Association and the Sierra Club, really wanted a single federal service. They believed this would help manage all the parks better.
Who Helped Make It Happen?
Many people worked hard to create the National Park Service.
- William Kent: He was a Representative from California. He helped introduce the bill in Congress.
- Reed Smoot: He was a Senator from Utah. He also helped sponsor the bill.
- Stephen Mather: He was a successful businessman. The Secretary of the Interior, Franklin K. Lane, asked him to help. Mather worked for almost no pay (pro bono) to convince lawmakers. He became the first director of the NPS.
- Horace Albright: He was a young lawyer who worked closely with Stephen Mather. He helped a lot with the campaign.
These people held regular meetings to plan how to get the law passed. They wanted to make sure America's natural treasures were protected for everyone.
What Does the Act Do?
The National Park Service Organic Act clearly states the purpose of the NPS. It says the NPS must:
- Conserve the scenery: This means protecting the natural beauty of parks.
- Protect natural and historic objects: This includes mountains, rivers, ancient ruins, and historical buildings.
- Safeguard wildlife: This ensures animals and plants in the parks are safe.
- Provide for enjoyment: People should be able to visit and enjoy these places.
- Leave them unimpaired for future generations: This is a key part. It means the parks must be kept in great condition for kids and families in the future.
The Act made Stephen Mather the first director. He was in charge of supervising and maintaining all national parks, battlefields, historic places, and monuments. Thanks to this law, the National Park Service has been protecting America's amazing natural and historical sites for over 100 years!
