National Parks Forever was written by Jonathan Jarvis and Destry Jarvis, two brothers with slightly different perspectives on how to affect the changes required to grow and improve the National Park Service (NPS). While neither brother is a scientist per se, they both have bachelor degrees in biology and understand the importance of the scientific process, critical to conserving ecosystems. Destry started his career in 1972 and worked for various conservation organizations and as a lobbyist. Jonathan started in the NPS in 1976 and worked his way up through various positions, ultimately becoming the 18th Director (2009–2017). In 1872, Yellowstone was created as the first National Park. For the first 100 years, the NPS functioned smoothly. National Parks were created over time, but during and immediately after the Great Depression and WWII, National Park visitor numbers fell. Post-WWII, with the return of service personnel from abroad and an improved economy, visitor numbers and NPS popularity increased significantly. However, during President Nixon’s administration, reforms were made that spawned the current negative repercussions; recent US presidents have appointed politicians with special interests and little understanding of conservation science, causing radical shifts in park policy. The particulars of the political changes over the past 50 years are fully delineated: names, dates and actions are all chronicled and documented. Chapters include a history of the NPS, politics of park policy, importance of using the best available science, the importance of collaborations, and prospects for the future. The writers offer an insightful analysis of the situation and propose a channel out of the current morass; primarily by moving the NPS from the over-politicized Department of the Interior and establishing it as an independent agency. The NPS has been the envy of the world and has served as a model for countries develo** their own park systems. While the details are specific to Americans, general concepts in chapters on Alaska, collaboration and independence are broadly relevant to all. This book is compelling reading for conservation biologists to emulate positive aspects and avoid pitfalls when develo** an effective and self-sustaining park system.


Phyllis Weintraub


Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Insect Science