CNPSR PROFESSIONAL OPINION PAPERS - THE CONCEPT

COALITION OF NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RETIREES

PROFESSIONAL OPINION PAPERS

PURPOSE: At least two key events structure the park advocacy landscape over the next year or two. First of these events is the proposed Centennial Commission on National Parks to be led by the National Parks Conservation Association. The Commission will explore the future of our National Park System by conducting field enquiry sessions and receiving input from interested parties. A series of findings and recommendations from the Commission can hopefully provide a strategic template for political and opinion leaders to seek the necessary changes required for a second century of national park success. While the Commission is in its early planning stages it appears that it will get underway in late spring or early summer, completing its work in late 2009, providing us a dramatic opportunity to participate. Second of these key events is the near full year of political campaigns ending in national elections in November of 2008 and coupled with the first year of a new political administration in 2009. There is a prime opportunity for CNPSR to participate in this national political dialog providing input and information to political candidates and newly elected and appointed officials on NPS issues and strategies for the future.

It is important that CNPSR be equipped and ready to provide "professional opinions" on a series of key issues that impact the future of the national park system. These views can be expressed in a variety of ways, of course, but one of the most effective methods is through the development of professional papers that articulate the views and recommendations of "subject-matter expert" authors that CNPSR can support and communicate to various audiences. The papers need not be overly complex or lengthy but of sufficient content to expose an issue and provide recommendations. Due to the variety of audiences the papers need to be constructed to meet a variety of needs and ought to fall somewhere between a short formal briefing statement and a lengthy academic professional paper (perhaps 10 to 15 pages). Each paper will have a one page executive summary for those with short attention spans.

Initially, we will arrange for authors for papers on ten key issues. As need dictates, we may provide other briefing papers on additional issues. We will seek to have the first ten papers completed in the period from February to August 2008.

AUDIENCE: These papers will formally establish "issues, positions and recommendations" and will be made available to a wide variety of audiences. Each paper will be placed upon the CNPSR web-site. The papers will be provided to national park advocacy groups and to the National Park Centennial Commission. They may be made available to the media. They will be made available to candidates running for national office. Finally, the papers will serve as the foundation for formal testimony, media interviews, and other forums where members might appear on behalf of CNPSR.