NPS Visual Resource Inventory (VRI): Protecting Scenic Beauty in National Parks

The NPS Visual Resource Inventory (VRI) is a comprehensive database of visual resources within the National Park System. The VRI utilizes Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to catalog, analyze, and manage visual resources within parks.

The VRI includes information about the landscape, natural features, cultural resources, and visitor use areas within parks. It also contains information about viewing locations, visibility zones, and the quality of the visual experience.

Park managers use the VRI to identify areas where visual resources are being impacted by human activities and to develop strategies to protect and enhance these resources. It is also used in planning and decision-making related to new development, road construction, and other activities that may impact visual resources.

The VRI is an essential tool for ensuring that the National Park System continues to provide high-quality visual experiences for visitors while also protecting the natural and cultural resources that make these parks so special.