The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the United States federal government that manages all U.S. national parks, many American national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. It was created on August 25, 1916, by Congress through the National Park Service Organic Act.
It is an agency of the United States Department of the Interior. Most of the direct management of the NPS is delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the National Park Service Director, who must be confirmed by the Senate.
The 21,989 employees of the NPS oversee 408 units, of which 59 are designated national parks.
The National Park Service will celebrate its centennial in 2016. On January 1, 2016, Pasadena Tournament of Roses will help kick off the celebration at the 2016 Rose Parade. The theme of the 2016 parade is “Find Your Adventure”, announced by Tournament President Mike Matthiessen for the 127th Rose Parade after taking office on January 15, 2015.