What's New in Policy?

This page highlights draft policies that are open for public comment and recently approved policies.

Approved in 2024

August 19, 2024
Policy Memorandum 24-03: Managing National Parks in an Era of Climate Change
This Memorandum clarifies direction and responsibilities for managing national park units and other NPS-administered areas as climate change alters resources and ecosystems, and affects infrastructure and visitor experiences. It affirms NPS commitments and obligations to respond to climate change impacts in collaboration with Tribes, State and local governments, Federal agencies, collaborators and stakeholders, and the public. In addition, it provides links to tools, case studies, and a variety of training modules.

August 19, 2024
Policy Memorandum 24-02: Landscape and Seascape Conservation and Ecological Connectivity through Cooperative Conservation
The Memorandum affirms NPS commitments and obligations to advance landscape and seascape conservation and connectivity of species and ecological processes. It provides guidance for collaborating with other Federal agencies, Tribes, State and local governments, partners, and other entities on shared cooperative conservation goals.

July 25, 2024
Policy Memorandum 24-01: Guidance for Implementing 36 CFR 2.6—Plant Gathering by Federally Recognized Tribes for Traditional Purposes (July 25, 2024)
This Memorandum is intended to:

• Clarify certain requirements in 36 CFR 2.6, including those related to NEPA compliance and Tribal treaty or statutory rights.
• Provide consistent implementation of the regulation Service-wide.
• Give park superintendents and other NPS managers better guidance on how to negotiate and enter into plant gathering agreements, including what types of information to collect, while being respectful of culturally sensitive information.
• Make it easier for Tribes to work with the NPS to enter into agreements.Recent Tribal consultation helped inform the policy.

This Memorandum does not amend or update the existing regulation, which would require a regulatory update through a separate process.

February 21, 2024
Director's Order #36: Housing Management
This Order, together with Reference Manual 36 (NPS Intranet site) provides updated policies and procedures for managing Government-funded housing. It replaces the August 5, 2009, edition.