Yellowstone National Park is the first national park in the world @James Lee on Unsplash  

NRDC has been working with the Institute of Law of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS), a leading Chinese think tank, for three years in conducting research and convening experts on key environmental law issues. One of the key issues is natural protected area laws. In recent years, national laws are developed or amended, including National Park Law (Draft), Nature Reserve Regulations (Draft Amendment) and Wildlife Protection Law (Amended Draft for the Second Review). In Sichuan and Zhejiang, local regulations are developed for provincial national parks. There is a need to streamline the legislation for natural protected areas, with consideration of local characteristics and reference to international experience. Therefore, NRDC co-organized an international forum with SASS on natural protected area laws on November 9. The forum invited experts from China, U.S., Canada, France, and U.K. to discuss the international experience and current practices in China, with an aim to provide suggestions for legislation development and amendment. Zak Smith, Senior Attorney & Director from NRDC‘s Nature Program introduced laws and policies of the U.S. National Park System. The U.S. established Yellowstone Park, the first national park in the world in 1872. About 100 Chinese and foreign experts attended the forum. The forum was reported by China Environment News.