Geosccientists in the Parks, Mosaics in Science 2014 Program

The GIP and MIS youth internship programs provide opportunities for geoscientists and other natural resource scientists to assist with inventorying, monitoring, research, and interpretation/education projects on lands administered by the NPS. The projects and work products enable the participants, public, and park staff to gain a better understanding of the natural resources in NPS units and assist park staff with managing its resources using sound science. The National Park Service, the Department of Interior, and the President of the United States have sought to increase science-based resource management in national park units, to improve the understanding of resources and incorporation of such information by park managers in making decisions, to improve the quality of information given to the public, and to increase the number of NPS partners and volunteers helping parks. The actions to be undertaken will help address numerous NPS GPRA goals. Hiring interns through the GIP Program addresses unmet geoscience needs identified by parks, regions, networks, and central offices and advances the Departments of the Interior¿s and NPS¿ diversity and youth initiatives. The NPS benefits from addressing identified NPS objectives through the program partner, The Geological Society of America which has similar education and outreach goals.