Existing comment:
Mather resigned his position in 1929, and Horace M. Albright became the new director of the National Park Service. Unlike Mather, whose primary focus was on the beautiful scenery of national parks, Albright incorporated historical preservation into his mission. As director, Albright added a variety of new park units, such as military parks, and established the Branch of Research and Education. Albright accomplished much in his four years before resigning in 1933.
Both Mather and Albright created a strong foundation of values upon which the park service continues to follow to achieve its goals of preservation. Today, there are approximately 22,000 permanent, temporary, and seasonal employees in the National Park Service. Employees work in a variety of fields, including natural and cultural resources, maintenance, and law enforcement. These employees, along with 221,000 volunteers, help maintain and protect more than 400 parks for future generations. |