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    National Park Adventures...: Journeys through Our Nation's Greatest Treasures
    National Park Adventures...: Journeys through Our Nation's Greatest Treasures
    National Park Adventures...: Journeys through Our Nation's Greatest Treasures
    Ebook124 pages1 hour

    National Park Adventures...: Journeys through Our Nation's Greatest Treasures

    By Smith

    ()

    Read preview
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJulie Etta Smith
    Release dateMar 31, 2022
    ISBN9781087966588
    National Park Adventures...: Journeys through Our Nation's Greatest Treasures
    Author

    Smith

    The beauty and diversity of the Parks across America creates many opportunities to explore. The Author has a passion for the Parks and enjoys sharing information about the National Park Service and all the adventures that await you.

    Read more from Smith

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      Book preview

      National Park Adventures... - Smith

      1

      Chapter 1: History of the NPS

      The concept of setting aside land for preservation and recreational use began in this country decades before the National Park Service was established in 1916. The expansion westward and the growth of industry and use of natural resources, with the additional debates of land use, caused much concern over the impact of growth in America. The excitement of new frontiers and endless resources was soon squashed by the reality that both the land and resources on it are not infinite.

      Roosevelt & John Muir at Yosemite

      Additionally, environmental impacts were not the only item that precluded the establishment of the Park Service. The Civil War had a profound impact on the fabric of how America governs itself. Of course the abolition of slavery was established and equal rights for all people under the law was confirmed (on paper anyway, but it was a start) Yet another concept that came from the Civil War provided for a political change in the country. After the war, the identity of the United States was now more than ever vested at the national level, not the state. State rights were established secondary to federal rights. With this change included the development of several federal institutions, including the establishment of protected parks and protected lands.

      On March 1, 1872 Yellowstone National Park in the territories of Montana and Wyoming became the first National Park set aside "as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people."

      Yellowstone not only became Americas first National Park, but the concept of National Parks was lead by Americans and spawned the founding of national parks in other countries around the world. Over 100 countries globally operate national parks. But America was the first.

      In the years following Yellowstone, many parks and sites were established and it soon became clear that a system for maintaining and providing for the administration of the parks needed to be created. On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the National Park Service to protect the parks and monuments and to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such a manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. That’s quite a tall order and the National Park Service has strived to meet those guidelines.

      Many men were instrumental in promoting conservation and the eventual establishment of the National Park Service including (but certainly not limited to) Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and Stephen Mather.

      John Muir has been called the Father of the National Parks for his tenacious efforts for conservation and preservation. He was instrumental in formulating many key philosophies regarding land preservation and responsible land use. He developed the model of what a national park should be; and it is still the basic model that is adhered to today by the NPS. He also co-founded the Sierra Club in 1892, the Nation’s largest environmental group. He would often journal about his time spent in the wilderness and authored several books. His writings are frequently quoted, yet my favorite is still The Mountains are calling and I must Go.

      Stephen Mather, an industrialist but staunch conservationist, was named the first director of the National Park Service. During the early years of the NPS, Mather worked tirelessly to help establish the Parks and define them as recreation centers. He also developed the ranger program into a professional curriculum which helped to establish the guidelines for top notch park rangers.

      Theodore Roosevelt: The Conservation President

      Many men were involved in the movement to protect and establish our public lands, yet Teddy Roosevelt stands out as a key individual in this push of protecting and maintaining these treasured spaces. As the 26th President of the United States, he is often billed as the Conservation President. His love of the land, and the creatures therein, were evident to those who knew him well, even as a very young man.

      His passion for protecting the land followed him into his professional career and his policy making decisions in his Presidency. Roosevelt was instrumental in passing the Antiquities Act , which allowed him to preserve several sites and lands that he deemed worthy of protecting. There was a need to protect several sites that were deemed not suitable for the designation of a national park. During the first three years in utilizing the Antiquities Act, Roosevelt set aside 18 national monuments, five of which ultimately became national parks. Since the fledgling days of the National Park Service, and Roosevelt’s push for conservation, the National Parks have weathered many trials and tribulations.

      Additions and revisions to those lands that are protected, managed and preserved by the National Park Service are constantly in flux and also how they are managed is often revised.

      Brandywine Falls at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio: one of the newer additions to the National Park Service.

      2

      Chapter 2: Park or Monument?

      Site, Park or Monument? . . . . .Clarification please!

      Whenever I visit a place operated by the National Park Service, it never fails….there is confusion among my fellow park goers as to if this is a Park or not. A recent visit to the Apostle Islands, a national lakeshore, prompted me to find out just where the distinctions lie in the park service classifications. It is understandable that there would be some confusion in this arena, because our National Park service manages 419 parks and sites with areas covering over 84 million acres. Within the 419 sites, there are 62 of those that are classified as a National Park. When people think

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