In America’s national parks, the call of the wild grows dimmer. It’s being drowned out by the sound of computer keyboards producing whole new landscapes, these made of mountains of red tape – permits for photographers, for example.
According to recent press reports, rangers at selected National Park Service sites are more aggressively enforcing guidelines pertaining to commercial photography. The guidelines (NPS-21) require anyone with professional photo gear, or anyone using models to obtain permits before shooting on Park Service controlled property. That property includes the Statue of Liberty, Gulf Islands National Seashore, and more than 130 natural and historic landmarks in the United States. If you venture forth on a professional photo
Nature presents itself around us every day, sprouting between the sidewalk and the street, potted on a porch or controlled and planned out in sectioned off lots often accompanied by a playground. Living in the city, we are not often presented with the unpredictable qualities of wild nature, an environment that is more likely to make the average person feel like an explorer of uncharted territory than a trip to the neighborhood park would ever make us feel.
Author of “Before They’re Gone”, Michael Lanza is a freelance writer and wildlife photographer. He is an avid cyclist, backpacker and climber. He is an award winning author and public speaker. “The Big Outside” is Lanza’s online blog, where he talks about adventures with his family. He also an editor of “Backpacker Magazine”. He is very aware of climate change and its effects on our environment. He has seen these affects first hand as well, he has traveled to New Zealand. Norway, Spain, Himalaya, Iceland and Patagonia. United States National Parks are one of his favorite subjects to explore and enjoy with his family.
In 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) celebrated 100 years of preservation and conservation of our nation’s parks, monuments, and historical sites. Currently, the federal government has proposed significant proposed budget cuts to the National Park Service. If the government makes these cuts, then Americans could lose the national parks along with the beauty, culture, and history that comes with them. This would happen because the NPS would lose most of its funding that is needed in order to keep the national parks wellpreserved. Investing in the NPS should be a priority in our nation because it provides educational programs, unites all ages and races, and preserves and conserves the national parks.
This type of exposure to wilderness is merely an extension of the many desires that are inherent in the American culture to which society is dependent. In other words, wilderness has become part of the consumer society, the same society that deep ecology claims to aim to reconceive. Guha refers to this as a consequence of economic and political dominance. This dominance leads to wilderness being a manifestation of American nationalism. Admittedly, the American national park system is one of America’s defining characteristics. Hence, Guha states that Western civilization is the ideal medium for both wilderness and civilization to live in conjunction yet this medium dismisses its economical and social consequences.
In turn, this allows the visitors to experience the natural beauty, charm, and spiritual significance of the “true world” in almost the exact same light as even the earliest of environmental philosophers, such as Henry David Thoreau. Being exposed and actually walking through these lands allows people to go beyond their desktop screensaver aesthetic admiration for the natural world and really connect to and feel in their own individual way the majestic powers of the wild. One example, among many, of these powers would be the opportunity for extreme solitude, time for personal reflection, and an outlet for escape. The benefits of such introspection could entail an increased sense of vitality, self reliance, confidence and moral strength. “New Englander Joseph Knowles proposed setting aside ‘wild lands’ and establishing outdoor communities where Americans could retreat from the ‘commercialism and the mad desire to make money that have blotted out everything else leaving us not living, but merely existing.”’ There are no advertisements trying to persuade one to buy this, or upgrade to this new form of “must have” technology in the wilderness. There is no boss or professor demanding work or assignments, there is just pure bliss. When people get out and really smell the pollutant free fresh
Yosemite is well known for its beautiful sights and trails. There’s many things to do there that are enjoyable. The hike range from fairly easy to difficult. Besides that, there are lodges and other activities for people to do. This area is abundant with wildlife and different types of plants, which add to its beauty. The mist trail and vernal falls both offer incredible views of the waterfall and other surrounding scenery. It’s definitely worth the long hike to get at the top of vernal falls. It can be tricky getting up there and maneuvering around the rocks. It’s important to wear the right shoes, so you won’t fall and injure yourself. Many people get hurt at Yosemite each year by not following instructions and doing the right thing.
As photographer Jackson recalled, "No photographs had as yet been published, and Dr. Hayden was determined that the first ones should be good. A series of fine pictures would not only supplement his final report but tell the story to thousands who might never read it" (1940, p. 196). Jackson's photographs and Moran's watercolors and illustrations were instrumental in the successful lobbying effort to get Congress to designate Yellowstone the country's first national park. More significantly, I contend that the landscape art of Watkins, Jackson, and Moran are not merely evidence in a conventional political argument. They are not simply representing reality or making an argument about
The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was written in the Victorian Era by Robert Louis Stevenson, this novella dwells into the concept of the duality of human nature. The narrative is extremely fragmented structure due to the use of multiple narrators and through the use of mixed media, in the form of letters and accounts. The inconsistent structure conveys that of a gothic detective story; which were very popular in the Victorian era. Victorian London at the time was the largest city in the world, with a total population of around 4 million people in the 1880’s, and was one of the first cities to become completely urbanised. For the first time, more people were living in towns and cities than in the country.
One of the most legendary creatures of the northern hemisphere is the wolf. One of the most popular places to spot a wolf safely is Yellowstone national park. But, the wolf is one of the most feared creature as well therefore the wolf was starting to be killed and removed in the early 1800s from Yellowstone. By 1926 they were all gone from Yellowstone national park. then some wolf lovers decided to take a stand and make sure that wolves would be put back into the park because its apart of the culture of the wolves. Many rancher think this was a horrible idea because of their livestock. But it is a good idea because Yellowstone national park could potentially be saved because fo these beautiful creatures. It could also help the economy around the area. it would also help because it would give scientists an opportunity to study what happens when a preditor returns to the area.
Her husband trusted her with everything so much so that he never asked advice from anyone other than her that is why on his death he said that she knows about everything, which is why she took over the business herself. “Gliki participated in all the business decisions (“he sought no advice from anyone, having talked over everything with me”), drew up the partnership contracts, and helped with the books and the local pledges” (12). Because she knew of everything she was able to take care of the business and pay off the debts that her husband racked up during his lifetime while they were together.
The National Park Service (NPS) plays a gargantuan role in the preservation of many national parks, monuments, and historical sites. But most recently the government proposed significant budget cuts to the NPS, which will reduce financial support for preserving national parks, monuments, historical sites, and the programs that teach kids about nature and history. Keeping these national parks and monuments busy and wellfunded is imperative because without those Americans will be losing an important historical insight of the initiation that the country was built on. Although, some may debate that the government should not fund the NPS because it takes control away from the locals, it is important that NPS is funded because it will ensure the
National parks are a government institution meant to preserve the natural wonders of America’s landscapes. Established as the first national park in the U.S. by Congress in 1872, Yellowstone National Park was intended as “a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” The Secretary of the Interior, along with other governmental departments like the War Department and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture later worked to authorize additional national parks and monuments throughout much of the West. President Woodrow Wilson created the National Park Service in 1916, which was responsible for protecting and managing the national parks already created, as well as those yet to be established. Once
Three important changes in the Constitution consist of our voting regulations. In 1787, only white men of the age 21 or older were allowed to vote. The 15th, 19th, and 26th amendment changed our old laws on who can vote. The 15th amendment states that any citizen, of any race, can vote, while they still must stay within the age requirements. And the 19th amendment states that any female can vote while staying within the age requirements. However, the 26th amendment, states that any United States citizen can vote from 18 years of age and older. These amendments changed voting as we once knew it, at first, it was that only a white male of the age of 21 or older can vote, now to vote you can be any race, female or male, of the age 18 and
The website for the national and state park systems helps to enlighten the public on the subject of impending changes in policy and regulations, as well as new developments in different parks. Due to this, the parks and recreation districts judge that individuals and families will be more agreeable to the idea of traveling to parks in different states because of the easy accessibility of directions and information about the parks. Owing to the latest rise in interest of campgrounds and recreation areas, there has been an increase in funds. This new revenue has made possible the purchase of more parkland throughout the United States. Without prevailing use of the Internet, this most likely would not have been possible. The East Bay Park District has been able to purchase 1,476 of land. This is the single largest acquisition that the Park has made in over twenty years. The York Center Park District been able to purchase and protect a 20-acre area in the last five years. This is the largest area they manage. With the acquisition of supplementary parkland, it is more likely that this land will continue in its natural condition and not be converted into an urbanized region.
The Issue of National Park conservation has become a widely controversial issue today. With the National debt reaching 17 trillion dollars some politicians think it is alright to either sell off national park land to commercial foresters, miners, and even foreign nations or to just close some parks entirely to make up some of the national debt. They are completely unaware that the parks arent just a “pretty area of land for tourists”. Many cities depend on the parks for their well-being. A quote from a local newspaper in California supports this “National parks don’t boast concession stands or charge tax, but data indicates they bring in millions of dollars to local economies each year”(Tree). Supporters of cutting the parks include big CEO’s of major companies and some of them not even in this country.