The four agencies have been charged with the trust of preserving the natural and cultural heritage of these lands to pass on in good health for future generations. The long-term preservation of these resources makes the adjacent federal areas repositories of information of great value to humanity. If we are to protect these resources into the far future, we must know more about the plants, animals, ecosystems and their interrelationships. The Foundation will assist in expanding existing inventory programs and help develop efficient ways to monitor the vital signs of natural systems. In addition to the use of scientific knowledge as a means to improve agency management, the units can and should be centers for broad scientific research and inquiry. We see an opportunity her to not only provide the agencies with sound research need for good decision making, but to build up the institutional capability and reputation of our higher educational institutions and provide places where interns, graduate students, and others can conduct their inquiries and studies.