Why are National Parks Important?
Nature surrounds us every day. It shows its presence in the weather, the food we eat, and the birds that wake us in the morning with their cheerful songs. Nonetheless, these constant reminders are often lost on us, falling prey to the daily repetition of life. National parks provide a place where communities can come together and honor the age old connection between man and nature.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines conservation as "the protection of plants, animals, and natural resources" as well as "the things that are done to keep works of art or things of historical importance in good condition". In the case of national parks both of these definitions apply. They morph to create a hybrid of sorts. With national parks, conservation is everything that's done to protect nature without losing sight of the importance of the present, the future and the resilience and functionality of ecosystems. Our parks give us an opportunity to recognize the power that we have over nature and to use this power to help nature grow and prosper; stewardship. National parks bring communities together through these two motives, and the common motive between the two; the urge to help.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines conservation as "the protection of plants, animals, and natural resources" as well as "the things that are done to keep works of art or things of historical importance in good condition". In the case of national parks both of these definitions apply. They morph to create a hybrid of sorts. With national parks, conservation is everything that's done to protect nature without losing sight of the importance of the present, the future and the resilience and functionality of ecosystems. Our parks give us an opportunity to recognize the power that we have over nature and to use this power to help nature grow and prosper; stewardship. National parks bring communities together through these two motives, and the common motive between the two; the urge to help.
Marsh, Billings, and Rockefeller
Marsh, Billings, and Rockefeller are three very well known names in the state of Vermont, but they hold national significance in our National Park Service. These three men understood the principles of stewardship, community, conservation, and most importantly, nature, before most people had even begun thinking about such topics. Today, our national parks encompass all that Marsh, Billings, and Rockefeller believed. They bring communities together in the interest of preparation for the future, preservation of history, and protection of nature and that primal bond that we all share with it.