ABSTRACT
National parks in developing countries have been important in attracting tourist dollars, and the economic returns from international tourism was a strong factor in the establishment of many national park systems. When she addressed a gathering of park superintendents a few years ago, the noted conservationist and writer, Mardy Murie, expressed her belief that the National Park Service (NPS) has the most idealistic mandate of any federal organization. Important also to the flourishing of the national park idea was the presence of a democratic tradition. The United States NPS (USNPS), generally referred to in international park circles as the USNPS, has provided assistance to more countries than has the Peace Corps. For more than fifteen years the International Seminar on National Parks and Equivalent Reserves has provided one of the most effective training opportunities for the world park community.
