Policies and Guidance

Management Policies

Unwritten or informal "policy" and people's various understandings of the National Park Service's traditional practices are never relied on as official policy. The primary source of official National Park Service policy is the published 2006 Management Policies (pdf, 2.49 MB). Policies related to natural resource management are in Chapter 4 of that publication. The policies contained therein are applicable Service-wide. They reflect our management philosophy. Director's Orders supplement and may amend Management Policies.

For more information on policy development by the National Park Service visit http://www.nps.gov/policy/DOrders/thingstoknow.html.