Answer: B. False
Explanation: United States national parks are primarily managed by the National Park Service (NPS). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) mainly manages wildlife refuges in contrast to the NPS. Hence, this statement is false.
False, U.S. national parks are managed by the National Park Service, not the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The FWS is responsible for National Wildlife Refuges and the conservation of species and habitats.
The answer to the question of whether United States national parks are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is false. Instead, the National Park Service (NPS), which was established in 1916, is responsible for managing the numerous national parks and monuments across the country.
The NPS falls under the Department of the Interior and is tasked with the dual mission of preserving natural and cultural resources and providing for public enjoyment of these areas.
While the FWS, also under the Department of Interior, manages over 500 National Wildlife Refuges, emphasizing conservation of species and habitats, its management does not extend to national parks.
The FWS's mission is focused on species and habitat protection, and recreational activities like bird-watching and hiking are encouraged when compatible with species' needs. On the other hand, the NPS prioritizes the conservation of land and wildlife while maintaining access for public enjoyment, with more restrictions on resource extraction.
Other federal agencies involved in the management of public lands include the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Despite the coordination between these agencies and state wildlife agencies, it's clear that the FWS does not manage the national parks, which remain under the purview of the NPS.
