Introduction

The National Park Service is entrusted with protecting the natural and cultural resources of the United States for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of present and future generations. As climate change accelerates environmental transformation across the globe, the movement of people driven by climate disruption has become an increasingly urgent issue. Rising sea levels, extreme heat, drought, wildfire, and flooding are already forcing communities to relocate in many parts of the world. Climate scientists and researchers increasingly recognize that migration will become one of the defining challenges of the 21st century, as discussed in works such as Nomad Century, which highlights the likelihood that hundreds of millions of people may need to move as parts of the planet become less habitable. 

The National Park Service recognizes that public lands play an important role in addressing this challenge. National parks preserve ecosystems that support biodiversity, provide climate refuges for wildlife, offer opportunities for public education, and serve as spaces where communities can learn about the environmental changes that shape our world. At the same time, climate-driven human mobility will increasingly affect communities near parks, public lands, and protected areas. 

This policy statement outlines how the National Park Service can contribute to responsible solutions to climate migration through conservation, education, and collaboration with communities and partner organizations.