I was several years into my career

before I went to NPS Fundamentals. I certainly had learned about the NPS Organic Act of 1916 and the Park Service’s mission. I think parks, though, get bogged down in their own parochial concerns and that they often don’t frame why they’re doing anything in terms of the mission. During our NPS Fundamentals course at HOAL we had a session led by Frank Buono, a former park superintendent. He walked us through the national parks’ grounding in Federal laws, and subsequent court cases that clarified those laws and their constitutionality. Back then it was common for us to hear of the Park Service’s “dual mission,” from the Organic Act, of preservation and public enjoyment, which were forever held in tension. In fact, as we learned, federal judges had determined that there cannot be enjoyment without preservation (in other words, enjoy what?). As a person who always asked, “Why are we doing this?” this gave me great clarity. It did not answer my question why we were doing any particular thing. But it did show me how parks and their employees must first serve the law, and not the whims, hopes, and dreams of a particular manager. I have long since made a habit of making myself unpleasant when decisions don’t conform to the laws, mission, or policies of the NPS.

—Anonymous