Which organization is responsible for managing national parks and monuments?

The National Park Service is the organization specifically tasked with managing national parks and monuments. Established in 1916, its mission includes preserving the ecological and historical integrity of these areas while providing for visitor enjoyment and education. The National Park Service oversees the maintenance and protection of the natural landscapes, cultural resources, and recreational opportunities within these protected areas.

While the Environmental Protection Agency focuses on protecting the environment at a broader scale through regulations and oversight of pollution and natural resources, and the Civilian Conservation Corps was a program aimed at providing jobs during the Great Depression by developing public lands, they do not have the specific responsibility for national parks. The Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, manages national forests and grasslands but does not oversee national parks and monuments. Thus, the National Park Service is the correct choice for this question.