Glacier NP use of social media

Many National Parks are actively embracing the usage of social media. As we learn about them online, we will feature them on this blog. Our first featured unit is the legendary Glacier National Park, easily one of America's most incredible and unique national treasures.

Glacier NP's management will undoubtedly soon get called upon to give presentations at various social media training venues. They are doing it by the book and doing it right and proper. Glacier‘s staff are actively finding new visitors “where they are at, and where they expect us to be,” said Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright.

“I am very proud of the park staff. They are at the forefront in developing both state-of-the-art Internet features and social media connections,” said Cartwright. He further noted, “As the park enters its second century, it is increasingly important that the NPS connect with park audiences and users, both face-to-face and virtually.”

Cartwright noted that Glacier National Park’s staff recently underwent an in-depth planning process before joining the social networking trend. The park now has detailed rules of engagement for participating as a federal agency and decisions trees as guidance for how to handle comments and questions. This project required additional resources, and through the generous actions and donations of its partner, The Glacier National Park Fund, the park staff is better able to engage the public and reach out to new audiences.

Cartwright added, “While the National Park Service invites everyone to connect with Glacier National Park in person, the park staff is very proud of its efforts to bring the rugged backcountry splendor, spectacular geologic and glacial features, and amazing wildlife to a computer screen near you. As we reflect on the park’s unique history during the celebration of Glacier’s centennial, we are also looking to the future and making every effort to use all the tools available to broaden the experience to as many people as possible.”

You can read Superintendent Cartwright's comments in their original context by clicking here to access the official March 2010 NPS News Release.

Click here for Glacier's social media gateway page.

Click here for David Restivo's Blog about Glacier's adoption of social media tools.