More than half of the members of the National Parks Advisory Board have quit citing their lack of contact with the Secretary of the Interior and effectively, no purpose. Many in the public are shocked perhaps not so much that these folks resigned as much as the lack of value the Administration appears to hold of these members. And while this is one more disturbing reinforcement that the Executive Branch of Government listens only to those who it wants to listen to (which is likely not a characteristic unique to this Branch), the reality is that the Executive Branch is designed in a way that gives it permission to listen to those it wants until the players are changed by the public (or at least THE player).
The Federal description of the National Parks Advisory board reads:
"The National Park System Advisory Board are citizen advisors chartered by Congress to help the National Park Service care for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
The Board was first authorized in 1935 under the Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act. The Board advises the Director of the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior on matters relating to the National Park Service, the National Park System, and programs administered by the National Park Service, including the administration of the Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act; the designation of national historic landmarks and national natural landmarks; and the national historic significance of proposed national historic trails. The Board may advise on matters submitted to the Board by the Director, as well as any other issues identified by the Board.
The Board's membership consists of no more than 12 individuals selected from among citizens of the United States having a demonstrated commitment to the mission of the National Park Service, and representing various geographic regions, including each of the administrative regions of the National Park Service. Membership includes (a) at least six individuals who have outstanding expertise in one or more of the fields of history, archeology, anthropology, historical or landscape architecture, biology, ecology, geology, marine science, or social science; (b) at least four individuals who have outstanding expertise and prior experience in the management of national or State parks or protected areas, or natural or cultural resources management; and (c) the remaining members are individuals who have outstanding expertise in one or more of the areas previously described, or in another professional or scientific discipline, such as financial management, recreation use management, land use planning or business management, as it relates to the mission of the National Park Service. At least one individual must be a locally elected official from an area adjacent to a park. Members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior for terms not to exceed four years."
So, it may be helpful to remember, and this applies to government and nonprofit entities, that Advisory Boards are just that: Advisory. How many times might you recall that you the Executive or a member of the Governing Board chose to not listen to the advice of something you called an Advisory Board (a construct without governing authority and established by either staff and/or the Governing Board.
We, some of the public may miss having smart experienced people with the only agenda to ensure the welfare of the National Parks actually informing what happens to the Parks.