We’ve long referred to the National Park Service as a jewel in Natchez’s tourism crown, but an equal description might be to call it a mint as well.

Last week a report illustrated the massive impact of the National Park Service on Mississippi.

National Park Service sites in Mississippi hosted more than 11 million visitors in 2016, resulting in an estimated $390 million spent in local communities.

That spending, the report indicated, helped to support more than 5,500 Mississippi jobs.

Two of those sites are right here in Natchez — the Natchez National Historical Park and the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Natchez is fortunate to have such a great partner in the National Park Service. That partnership stands to be strengthened over time as the Fort Rosalie site becomes more well-known and, potentially, the Forks of the Road site becomes included in the Natchez National Historical Park.

We applaud the National Park Service for the great work done in Natchez and along the Natchez Trace. The federal investment in preserving and interpreting our nation’s history is appreciated and valued.

If you see a ranger or someone who volunteers with the National Park Service, please thank them for the valuable and important work they do on behalf of our community and its history.