Today, there are many national parks and reserves in the United States that preserve our country's beauty and wildlife. This is the story of the United States National Park Service, from its creation by Woodrow Wilson in 1916 to its evolution through the decades, including its counterparts around the world and the legal and political challenges it faces today.

Since the first edition of this book was published ten years ago, the U.S. national park system has more than doubled in size, and the National Park Service (NPS) has been subjected to more political manipulation than at any time since the agency was established in 1916. Before 1972, no NPS director had ever been removed for political reasons; sinc

As the National Park Service prepares for its 2016 centennial, this book provides an in-depth analysis of the role of philanthropy and the national parks - exploring the challenges faced when working with non-profit philanthropic partners.