Final answer:
A national park is the correct answer, representing protected areas set aside by Congress with sufficient land and water to conserve their significant scenic and scientific resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is a. National park. A national park is an area set aside by an Act of Congress due to its great scenic and scientific importance, with boundaries that provide for enough land and water to protect the natural resources contained therein. The establishment of the first national park was marked by President Grant signing the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act in 1872, following the precedent set by the Yosemite Grant Act signed by President Lincoln in 1864. National parks like Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming play a critical role in conserving biodiversity and preserving the natural beauty of the area for future generations. These parks follow principles of conservation and preservation to ensure that the lands remain unimpaired, as mandated by the "National Park System Organic Act" passed in 1916.