The difference between national monuments and national parks is not understood by most people, but most people agree that they are usually areas of great importance to the nation. While both are protected by the federal government, the distinction is made by several more specific factors.
Rules of Establishment
The first primary difference between national monuments and national parks is the way they are established:
- National monuments are proclaimed by the President of the United States as established by the Antiquities Act of 1906.
- National Parks are established by an act of Congress.
Both national monuments and national parks must be located on land that is already owned or controlled by the Federal Government. Congress will often establish a national park around an existing national monument. Examples of this practice include the Grand Canyon and Utah’s Capital Reef and Bryce Canyon.
Purpose for Protection
The second major difference between national monuments and national parks is the reason for its notoriety. National monuments have some sort of cultural, historical, or scientific significance. A survey of our nation’s national monuments reflects a diverse representation of cultures and historical events.
National monuments can be anything from military forts and historical locations such as Ford’s Theatre where President Lincoln was assassinated to historical ruins such as the Gila Cliff Dwellings or fossil sites. The purpose of these monuments is to preserve the authenticity of locations that serve as a reminder of important historical events or scientific discoveries, and areas that are sacred to the different cultures in our country.
In contrast, national parks are protected due to their scenic, recreational, inspirational, or educational value. A piece of land is typically established as a national park due to spectacular scenic properties or natural phenomena. These parks are created around these scenic or natural features. They are meant for the use of the general public and are usually very large in size. Currently, the National Park System protects approximately 84 million acres of land that has been established as a national park, of which 55 million acres are located in Alaska.
A Matter of Size
The last primary difference between national monuments and national parks is size. National monuments can be of any size but are ordered to be the smallest area possible that will afford the proper care and management of the object in question. In short, national monuments should be solely the object of significance and are generally a lower priority in regards to funding than national parks.
National parks are quite the opposite. There is an established minimum size requirement. The purpose of these parks is to preserve the cultural and natural resources and values of the land.
They also provide a place where the public can enjoy the area through recreational activities such as picnicking, camping, boating, etc., which in turn helps boost the local economy through tourism.
Both national monuments and national parks are protected by the National Park Service. However national monuments may also be managed by the Bureau of Land Management, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the United States Forest Service.
Featured Image from everett mcintire/Unsplash
