America's national parks have been under threat for some time. Although often associated with the halcyon days of Ansel Adams and Rudyard Kipling, today's parks face a reality less ideal. Due to pressure from outside economic interests, national parks are struggling to enforce the environmental policies necessary to continue protecting their land.
Recent events show an increased push to benefit business by lessening environmental protections on national parks. On February 2nd, a deal between Yellowstone National Park, Montana, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed for the slaughter of potentially a quarter of Yellowstone bison in order to protect nearby livestock. In addition, mining companies, which already own mineral rights in national parks, are pushing with the help of lawmakers for significantly less restrictions on private drilling for oil, gas, and minerals. The National Parks Conservation Association, a non-profit organization, said that the proposal for more lenient mining restrictions "is just the latest in a series of moves by federal lawmakers to weaken environmental protections for national parks." Although policymakers deny this statement, there have been discussions since President Trump's election concerning the possibility of mining on public spaces. As more deliberations take place, the invasion of natural space becomes a very real threat in the coming years.
Roosevelt's original intent for national parks was "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein." As symbols of conservation, national parks act as a reminder of the potential of nature. Despite recent setbacks, our national parks are still historic and wild, characteristics that we should continue to protect.
Recent events show an increased push to benefit business by lessening environmental protections on national parks. On February 2nd, a deal between Yellowstone National Park, Montana, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed for the slaughter of potentially a quarter of Yellowstone bison in order to protect nearby livestock. In addition, mining companies, which already own mineral rights in national parks, are pushing with the help of lawmakers for significantly less restrictions on private drilling for oil, gas, and minerals. The National Parks Conservation Association, a non-profit organization, said that the proposal for more lenient mining restrictions "is just the latest in a series of moves by federal lawmakers to weaken environmental protections for national parks." Although policymakers deny this statement, there have been discussions since President Trump's election concerning the possibility of mining on public spaces. As more deliberations take place, the invasion of natural space becomes a very real threat in the coming years.
Roosevelt's original intent for national parks was "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein." As symbols of conservation, national parks act as a reminder of the potential of nature. Despite recent setbacks, our national parks are still historic and wild, characteristics that we should continue to protect.