Natural Resource Condition Assessments for Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and Prince William Forest Park
IAN worked with the National Park Service to develop natural resource condition assessments for Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts and Prince William Forest Park. These reports use air quality, water quality, biodiversity, and landscape data to assess the current condition of the parks. The natural resources of both parks were predicted to be negatively affected by climate change. Impacts may include increasing ozone levels and particulate pollution, changing forest composition, and an increase in exotic species and forest pests and diseases. Additionally, both parks were identified as being under threat from surrounding land use, regionally poor air quality, and overpopulation of deer.
Natural Resource Condition Assessment for George Washington Memorial Parkway
IAN worked with the National Park Service to develop a Natural Resource Condition Assessment for George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP). This report uses air quality, water quality, biodiversity, and landscape data to assess the current condition of the park. Significant natural areas occur throughout GWMP that are extremely rich in biodiversity and historical context. The park provides islands of refuge for many rare and unique plant and animal species in the highly urbanized Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, protecting a variety of cultural and natural resources. The park even includes plant community types found nowhere else on earth. Natural resources in GWMP are in degraded condition overall, and are under threat from surrounding land use, regionally poor air quality, deer overpopulation, and exotic species and pests.
Completion of 11 Natural Resource Condition Assessments for the National Capital Region Network
Marking a significant milestone in our ongoing partnership with the National Park Service National Capital Region Network (NCRN), IAN has completed Natural Resource Condition Assessments for the 11 NCRN park units in Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia. Natural Resource Condition Assessments evaluate and report on the natural resources within a park, and aim to provide science-based information to assist park managers in ongoing resource planning and decision-making. This partnership began in 2005, focusing on the communication of natural resources in the National Parks, and has evolved and continues to grow today. All completed NRCAs and accompanying products are available on IAN Press.