National parks and monuments are both protected areas in the United States, but they differ in their purpose, management, and level of protection.
A national park is a protected area that is designated by Congress and managed by the National Park Service. The purpose of a national park is to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources for future generations. National parks are typically large and have a variety of recreational opportunities, such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
National Monument
A national monument, on the other hand, is also a protected area designated by Congress, but it is managed by a variety of federal agencies, including the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Forest Service. The purpose of a national monument is to protect specific natural, cultural, or historical features. National monuments are generally smaller than national parks and have fewer recreational opportunities.
Other similar categories of protected areas in the United States include national forests, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, and conservation areas. National forests are managed by the Forest Service and are primarily used for timber production, recreation, and wildlife habitat. Wildlife refuges are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service and are primarily used to protect and conserve wildlife habitats. Wilderness areas are designated by Congress and are managed by various federal agencies to preserve and protect natural landscapes and ecosystems. Conservation areas are managed by federal or state agencies to protect specific natural or cultural resources.
There are around 63 designated National Parks in the United States. However, this number may change over time as new parks are designated or existing parks are renamed or reclassified. It’s also important to note that there are other types of protected areas. Examples include, National Monuments, National Forests, and Wilderness Areas. They are managed by different government agencies and have different designations and purposes.
Who manages the National parks and monuments
The National Park Service manages over 400 sites in the United States. This includes National Parks, National Monuments, National Historic Sites, National Memorials, National Preserves, National Recreation Areas, National Seashores, and other types of protected areas. These sites encompass a wide variety of natural and cultural resources. They are located in every state and territory of the United States. The National Park Service is responsible for managing these sites to ensure their preservation for future generations.
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