National Parks: Diversity and Sustainability

The 2020 Great American Outdoors Act allocates over $9 billion to support a backlog of National Park Service projects, equity outreach programs, and infrastructure needs. This VIP seeks to establish a Public Innovation Center where GT students collaborate with Atlanta based NPS staff to bring innovate research methodologies and practices to our state and federal agencies while helping build a more inclusive and diverse government workforce. Resources and experts from the NPS and philanthropic organizations participate in outreach and technical sessions with students while introducing students to internship and career opportunities.

Students also will have the opportunity to assist indigenous people, towns, and decision makers in Chilean Patagonia who are building a national park system comprised of a 1,700 mile stretch of communities, conservation land, and wilderness open to global visitors and economic development. Students will explore environmental, social, governance, climate, and equity issues where multi-disciplinary teams will collaborate with US and international agencies, philanthropic organizations, corporations, and local communities in the context of Sustainable Development Goal strategies. Lessons learned and best practices from the US NPS and others will be evaluated with Chilean Patagonia advisors, students and local officials.