Workshop for National Park System Management in China, September 2019
The Paulson Institute, which conducts a range of work in China, contracted the Institute for Parks, People, and Biodiversity to assist the Chinese government on organization of a national park system. The Institute organized a workshop in the U.S. in September 2019 on national park system management for Chinese government staff working to establish a complete national park system. They have started with 10 pilot national parks, a new national parks bureau, and funding to test the pilot parks. The Paulson Institute contracted the Institute to (1) evaluate the Sanjiangyuan National Park pilot, (2) design a sustainable financial and budget model for their entire national park system, and (3) train senior leaders in national parks management, with a focus on conservation and stewardship.
September 4, 2019
Introduction to Training Program & History of the US National Parks; Presenters: Jon Jarvis, Executive Director and David Ackerly, Dean. Description: Former NPS Director Jon Jarvis provides a broad overview of the structure of the US National Park Service, as well as its over 100-year history.
Overview of the US National Parks (Cont'd) ; Presenter: Jon Jarvis, Executive Director. Description: Former NPS Director Jon Jarvis provides a broad overview of the structure of the US National Park Service, as well as its over 100-year history.
September 5, 2019
Legal Framework for National Parks; Presenter: John Leshy, Former Senior Solicitor, Department of the Interior. Description: John Leshy discusses the role of laws and regulations in the US National Park Service, including the relationships between the NPS and the United States government and court systems.
Policy Framework for National Parks; Presenter: Jon Jarvis, Executive Director. Description: Jon Jarvis discusses various management policies of the US National Park Service, including policies regarding visitation, biological resources, transportation, and more.
Regulations for National Parks; Presenter: Julie Byerly, Chief Ranger, Point Reyes National Seashore. Description: Julie Byerly provides background on visitor and resource protection in the US National Park Service, as well as her pioneering work on women in law enforcement.
Application of Law, Policy, and Regulations at the Park Level; Presenter: Tom Leatherman, National Park Service Superintendent. Description: Tom Leatherman shares his experiences as a park superintendent, with an emphasis on developing community relationships and leveraging the NPS role.
September 6, 2019
Natural Resources; Presenter: Steve Beissinger, UC Professor. Description: Steve Beissinger provides first-hand experience regarding the roles of research, long-term monitoring, and science in the parks, with a focus on the Grinnell survey work he has led. He also discusses the importance of maintaining active relationships with research universities to address conservation issues.
Research and Science in the National Parks; Presenter: Gary Machlis, Clemson University Professor. Description: Gary Machlis served as science advisor to Jon Jarvis when he was the director of the US National Park Service, and presents on useable knowledge and the CESU system he established, as well as the role of social science research on visitors and local communities.
Cultural Resource Preservation; Presenter: Stephanie Toothman, Former NPS Associate Director for Cultural Resources. Description: Stephanie Toothman discusses the importance of preservation, tradition, language, legend, landscapes, and more with regard to cultural and natural resources in the US National Park Service. Readings and Handouts (English only): 
Cultural Resource Management in the National Park Service Laws, Management Policies and Guidelines & The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Indigenous/Native/Local Culture; Presenter: Val Lopez, Chairman of Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Description: Val Lopez provides a brief history of the relationship between Native Americans and the US National Park Service, focusing on the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. He emphasizes the mistakes the US made in removing Native Americans from their lands, and speaks about the ongoing relationship of native people working for stewardship of the land through their long traditions and values. Readings and Handouts (English only): Amah Mutsun Tribal Band Info Sheet
September 9, 2019
Advocacy Organizations: Ron Sundergill, Regional Director, NPCA. Description: Ron Sundergill discusses NGOs and advocacy organizations, focusing on the historical relationship between the National Parks Conservation Association and the US National Park Service.
Non-Appropriated Funds (Fees, Franchise) Business Plans; Presenter: Anne Altman, Financial Officer, NPS. Description: Anne Altman explains how the US National Park Service manages necessary and appropriate concession operations in the parks. She also discusses the Business Plan program and internships in the parks.
Friends Organizations/Philanthropy; Presenter: Frank Dean, President and CEO, Yosemite Conservancy. Description: Frank Dean discusses the relationship between the US National Park Service and private philanthropy, focusing on the example of the Yosemite Conservancy.
Overview of the NPS Budget Process; Presenter: Cynthia Ip, Former Comptroller NPS Pacific Region. Description: Cynthia Lau Ip provides an overview of the US National Park Service budget and finance process. She explains the categories of funding, the controls and auditing that are required, the annual process of appropriations, and more.
September 10, 2019
Canada's National Park System ; Presenter: Mike Wong, Former Parks Canada (now IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas). Description: Mike Wong provides a brief overview of the history and function of Parks Canada, including its overall legal framework and funding. Handouts & Readings (English Only): 2019-2020 Departmental Plan, National Park System Plan, Guidelines for Ecological Integrity Monitoring, Prince Albert Management Plan 2018, and Prince Edward Island Management Plan.
Mexico's National Park System; Presenter: Mariana Bellot, Regional Advisor for the Biodiversity Finance Initiative BIOFIN-UNDP (Mexico). Description: Mariana Bellot provides a brief overview of the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, or 'CONANP'). She also discusses her current role as Regional Advisor for the Biodiversity Finance Initiative BIOFIN-UNDP (Mexico). Readings & Handouts (English Only) : Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Cabo Pulmo National Park Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Cozumel Reefs National Park and Cozumel Island Flora and Fauna Protection Area , and Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Iztaccíhuatl–popocatépetl National Park
IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas; Presenter: Mike Wong, Former Parks Canada (now IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas). Description: Mike Wong discusses the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Commission on Protected Areas, as well as good stewardship of parks and protected areas. Handouts & Readings (English Only) : Adapting to Climate Change, Ecological Restoration for Protected Areas, and Guidelines for Applying Protected Area Management Categories.
National Park Management Plans; Presenter: Keith Dunbar, Former Chief of Planning, Pacific West Region, NPS. Description: Keith Dunbar discusses the important role of park planning, including legislative directions, foundational elements, and challenges involved in park planning.
September 11, 2019
Climate Change in National Parks; Presenter: Patrick Gonzalez, NPS Principal Climate Change Scientist and UC Berkeley Professor. Description: Patrick Gonzalez discusses how the US National Park Service approaches climate change, as well as the IPCC report and its relevance to parks and protected areas. Readings & Handouts (English Only): Climate Change Trends, Impacts, and Vulnerabilities in US National Parks and Disproportionate Magnitude of Climate Change in U.S. National Parks.
Crowding, Visitor Impacts, and Ranger Operations Pt. 1 Part. 2 Presenter: Steve Shackleton, Former Associate Director for Visitor Protection, National Park Service (Now at the University of California, Merced). Description: Steve Shackleton discusses the role of the ranger in park stewardship, as well as the Gallo Management Program at UC Merced. Addtional Resource (English Only): Gallo Management Program, Executive Seminar
Management of Exotic Species; Presenter: Neil Tsutsui, Professor of Entomology, UC Berkeley. Description: Neil Tsutsui, a practicing scientist working with the parks, discusses the complexities of conservation stewardship, including how to build baseline inventories and help managers understand the resources they must steward.
Air and Water Pollution; Presenter: Carol McCoy, JD, Chief of the NPS Air Resources Division. Description: Carol McCoy demonstrates the role Clean Air laws in the US national parks have played in improving air quality in the US and in the parks themselves. She also gives a brief overview on water quality in the parks as well.