Partnerships

Natural Resource Laureate Program

What is the Natural Resource Laureate Program?
This exciting program hosts science-based professionals in our national parks. The program matches volunteers with various science backgrounds with parks needing specific natural resource expertise. This is a wonderful opportunity for professionals to make meaningful contributions to the health of one of this nation's greatest treasures-our national parks.

Why is this program needed?
National parks face threats to many natural resources from internal and external forces. Engaging experienced specialists as volunteers allow parks to carry out needed scientific work that otherwise might not get done. This can make the difference between leaving a fragile resource unimpaired and losing it forever.

How can YOU get involved?
Does rolling up your sleeves and conducting field work again appeal to you? Would you like to put your research or resource management experience to work on a project that is worthwhile and will make an important contribution to one of our national parks? Become a Natural Resource Laureate volunteer. If you are park staff and need this kind of support for one of your natural resource programs, contact us for details.

This program relies heavily on sponsors, grants, and other partners who offer additional funding.

For more information on this valuable program, contact the Natural Resource Laureate Program or Diana Maxwell at (303) 969-2078.

What type of volunteers does the program need?
Our parks need volunteers with high-level technical or subject matter expertise in at least one science/natural resource field. These individuals have demonstrated skills in research, planning, and/or natural resource management.

Examples of Laureate candidates include:
Lead atmospheric chemistry scientist
University biological science professor
Corporate environmental scientist
High school science teacher
Federal or private researcher
Nature Photographer
Experts in Geologic Resources, Biologic Resources, Air Quality, and Water and Hydrology expertise.

How are volunteers selected?
Each park requests a Laureate with a specific expertise area. The park describes a project in detail and explains why a Laureate professional is needed. NPS and our partners then recruit a qualified professional. In this process, we are able to provide a coordinated means for parks to secure needed technical assistance.

How long do projects last?
The duration of Laureate projects vary, depending on the needs of each park. Projects can last from a week to several months. This time can be spent physically in a park doing field work or at the volunteer's office or home in a virtual research setting. This allows flexibility for the park and the Laureate volunteer.

How are Laureate costs covered?
The Laureate positions are strictly voluntary. However, NPS or our Laureate partners may cover some travel, per diem, housing, and other expenses, as funds are available.

Where are Laureate volunteers working?
In past years we have had Natural Resource Laureates working with NPS resource specialists in the following park units:

Richmond National Battlefield Park
Conducting a macroinvertebrate stream ecology inventory

Biscayne National Park
Consulting on the adjacent Lands Protection Plan

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
Investigating the paleoecology of the salt marsh areas and studying the hydrology of Spanish Pond

Appalachian Trail
Planning and implementing a citizen science water quality monitoring project

San Juan Island National Historic Park
Developing a source water protection plan for groundwater.

2007 - 2008 - In partnership with Choice Hotels and the National Park Foundation, four Laureates are providing expertise in Homer, Alaska. This project includes science, education, wildlife interpretation, website graphics design, and wildlife photography.