NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez has joined at least three other Mississippi cities in passing a resolution asking Congress to adequately fund the National Park Service.

The Natchez Board of Aldermen passed the resolution at its meeting last week. The resolution was presented to the city by Brad Chism of Chism Strategies in Jackson.

Vicksburg, Ridgeland and Tupelo have passed similar resolutions.

The resolution notes the NPS centennial this year, its mission and that NPS “currently manages 410 nationally significant sites and an invaluable collection of more than 75,000 natural and cultural assets that span 84 million acres across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories and insular areas.”

The resolution states the city “strongly encourages Congress to create a reliable, predictable stream of resources to address deferred maintenance needs in America’s National Park System.”

The NPS has three sites in Natchez — Melrose, the William Johnson House and the newly opened Fort Rosalie site.

The park service has made significant contributions to the community, Mayor Darryl Grennell said.

“We’ve got sites here that are actually undergoing renovation and restoration,” he said. “More importantly, though, are future development for different sites that will need funding.”

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History awarded the Friends of the Riverfront group a grant to renovate the triangle filling station.

The development and interpretation of that site is in collaboration with NPS and other organizations. The NPS has also been working to help develop the Forks of the Road slave market site.

“It’s just important that they receive the full funding they need in order to continue the momentum that has been taking place here in Natchez,” Grennell said.

Natchez National Historical Park Superintendent Kathleen Bond said the NPS appreciates efforts to support its mission.

“National parks affect communities in very personal, direct ways,” she said.

The park service in Natchez provides approximately 20 full-time jobs, Bond said, and provides services for visitors and locals as well as educational opportunities.

“We work with partners on our mission of preserving the treasures of Natchez and telling the stories of all the people of Natchez,” Bond said.

“To do this work requires funding, and funding can come in a variety of ways,” Bond said. “We have a very strong working relationship with the City of Natchez and appreciate the encouragement.”