1 Introduction
„In order to sustain our global environment and improve the quality of living in our human settlements, we commit ourselves to sustainable patterns of production, consumption, transportation and settlement development, pollution prevention, respect for the carrying capacity of eco-systems, and the preservation of opportunities for future generations“(1) (Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, June 1996).
National Parks in the United States and almost all over the world are being subjected to a paradigm shift in park conservation and management. In the early years of National Parks, conservation strategies and management actions were based on a belief that parks were static landscapes, isolated from human activities and adjacent lands, and that they were meant solely for the pleasure of visitors. Attempts to resolve system dysfunctions - wrought by erroneous views and the consequences of subsequent management policies, such as predator removal and fire suppression - were approached one species at a time. Today, this paradigm is slowly shifting to a knowledge-based understanding of ecosystems as es now recognize the need to include people as part of the system and to address causes, rather than symptoms, of system dysfunction by managing whole
ecosystems, not just single species. However, National Park Management is not just limited to conservation strategies. National Park Management includes a widespread variety of management
activities such as the most essential activities like park system planning, land protection, natural resource management (biological resource management, fire management, water resource management, air
resource management, geologic resource management, soundscape and lightscape management), cultural resource management (e.g. archeological resources, cultural landscape, ethnographic resources, historic structures), wilderness preservation and management, interpretation and education, tourism/visitor management, and park facilities management. It is clear that in each park the emphasis of management activities should be adapted to the needs of the park, its problems and challenges. However, the next generation of park managers will need to be able to tolerate ambiguity, manage change, manage tourism patterns, set and communicate priorities, handle controversy, and understand political processes.
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Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Formulation of the problem
1.2 Structure of this paper
2 History of the US National Parks
3 Criteria for Inclusion
4 Management Policies
5 Management Effectiveness of Protected Areas
5.1 Programming
5.2 Managing Information
5.3 Accountability
5.4 Requirements
6 Progresses of evaluating management effectiveness
7 Park System Planning
7.1 General Management Planning
7.2 Strategic Planning
7.3 Implementation Planning
7.4 Annual Performance Planning and Reporting
8 Internal and external threats
8.1 Impacts of global warming on National Parks
8.2 Challenges of the 21st century
8.2.1 Natural resource protection
8.2.2 Cultural resource stewardship
8.2.3 Education
8.2.4 Leadership
8.2.5 Outlook for National Parks
9 The Park Ranger System
9.1 Park Rangers Duties in the NPS
9.2 Location and Training in the NPS
9.3 Career Potential for Park Rangers in the NPS
10 Financial issues
11 International Trends in Park Tourism
12 Ecotourism
12.1 Styles of Ecotourism
12.1.1 Self reliant ecotourism
12.1.2 Small group ecotourism
12.1.3 Popular ecotourism
12.2 Complement of Ecotourism
13 Park Tourism Market
14 Mass tourism phenomenon
14.1 Definition of tourism
14.2 History of tourism
14.3 Mass tourism
14.4 Education
14.5 Facing mass tourism problems in US National Parks
15 Future tourists
16 Protected Areas Classification
17 Park Economics
17.1 Use Fees
17.2 Data collection and communication
17.3 Pricing Policy
17.4 Tourism Planning and Management Competencies
17.5 Visitation Statistics
18 Tourism Management Structures
19 Park Tourism Opportunities and Challenges
20 National Park Tourism Summary and Conclusions
21 Summary and Conclusions
Objectives and Topics
This thesis explores the management of US National Parks with a specific focus on the complex challenges posed by tourism. It investigates how park agencies balance the dual mandate of resource conservation and visitor enjoyment, aiming to provide benchmarks and recommendations that support sustainable park management while addressing the socio-economic and environmental demands of the 21st century.
- Management policies and organizational effectiveness within the National Park Service.
- The impact of internal and external threats, including global warming, on park ecosystems.
- Strategic park planning, including general management and implementation frameworks.
- Sustainable tourism models, including ecotourism styles and the mass tourism phenomenon.
- Financial sustainability and the role of park economics, use fees, and revenue generation.
Excerpt from the Book
1 Introduction
„In order to sustain our global environment and improve the quality of living in our human settlements, we commit ourselves to sustainable patterns of production, consumption, transportation and settlement development, pollution prevention, respect for the carrying capacity of eco-systems, and the preservation of opportunities for future generations“ (Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, June 1996).
National Parks in the United States and almost all over the world are being subjected to a paradigm shift in park conservation and management. In the early years of National Parks, conservation strategies and management actions were based on a belief that parks were static landscapes, isolated from human activities and adjacent lands, and that they were meant solely for the pleasure of visitors. Attempts to resolve system dysfunctions - wrought by erroneous views and the consequences of subsequent management policies, such as predator removal and fire suppression - were approached one species at a time. Today, this paradigm is slowly shifting to a knowledge-based understanding of ecosystems as dynamic and interconnected. Conservation strategies now recognize the need to include people as part of the system and to address causes, rather than symptoms, of system dysfunction by managing whole ecosystems, not just single species.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the shifting paradigm in National Park management, emphasizing the need for a holistic, knowledge-based approach to ecosystem conservation.
2 History of the US National Parks: Traces the origins of the US National Park system from the establishment of Yellowstone in 1887 to its current status as a global model.
3 Criteria for Inclusion: Details the specific requirements and political considerations for a site to be designated and included in the US National Park system.
4 Management Policies: Explains the legislative and administrative framework that guides the National Park Service in its mandate to protect and promote natural resources.
5 Management Effectiveness of Protected Areas: Outlines the necessary components for assessing management performance, including programming, information management, and accountability.
Keywords
National Park Management, Sustainable Tourism, Ecosystem Conservation, National Park Service, Park Tourism, Ecotourism, Mass Tourism, Protected Areas, Strategic Planning, Park Economics, Visitor Management, Environmental Threats, Biodiversity, Infrastructure, Park Rangers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work examines the management practices of the US National Park system, focusing specifically on how these parks manage the challenges of tourism while maintaining their core conservation mission.
What are the central themes of the research?
Central themes include management effectiveness, the impact of internal and external environmental threats, the shift toward sustainable tourism, and the economic challenges of financing park operations.
What is the core research question?
The paper explores how National Park managers can successfully navigate the conflicting mandates of preserving unique natural areas for future generations while simultaneously making them accessible for the enjoyment of current visitors.
What scientific methods are applied?
The research relies on an analysis of management frameworks, policy evaluations, and comparisons between US National Parks and international counterparts, specifically including Austrian parks.
What does the main body cover?
It covers organizational structures, strategic planning processes, the classification of protected areas, and methods for addressing mass tourism and its associated economic and environmental impacts.
Which keywords characterize this thesis?
Key terms include National Park Management, Ecotourism, Sustainable Tourism, Management Effectiveness, and Park Economics.
How does the author view the role of the Park Ranger?
Park rangers are viewed as critical guardians who operate at the interface of human intervention and nature; their roles have expanded from traditional protection tasks to include essential education and visitor guidance.
Why is the "Zion National Park" used as a case study?
Zion National Park serves as a representative example of a high-visitation park, illustrating how management planning, such as the General Management Plan, is applied to mitigate traffic and balance visitor volume with resource protection.
- Quote paper
- Roland Oberdorfer (Author), 2001, National Park Management - A study of US National Parks with particular emphasis on sustainable tourism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/317
