Challenges Facing the Parks

Many of the issues that face our National Parks are overlooked and unrealized. When we hear the term National Park many of us think of wide open spaces and nature. Many of us do not realize that two-thirds of the National Parks here in the US were created to preserve history and culture. That is why National Geographic lists untold stories as their number one issue facing our parks.  Nearly half of the parks artifact collections have not been cataloged. There is a shortage of both space and money when it comes to properly displaying these national gems. Here is the remaining list of National Geographic's top ten issues facing our parks:
2) Crumbling History- Like the artifacts the buildings in many of these parks, such as Ellis Island and Independence Hall, our history is told through these buildings. Unfortunately they are in need of repair and the backlog is a staggering 9.5 million dollars.
3) Wildlife Maintenance-Although the animals within these parks are under protection the land outside the parks is becoming more widely developed for commercial and residential purposes. The animals do not understand boundaries and all to often wander outside their zone of protection with dire consequences for their survival.
4) Foreign Invaders- Non-native species move into the parks and can cause massive destruction for the native species in the park. These non-native species have no natural predator to control their spread and they can cause mass destruction in a short amount of time. One example of this is seen with the continued number of exotic pets released into the wild when the owner no longer wants to provide a home for the animal. This can be seen in the bottom picture when a non-native python is locked in a power struggle with the native gator. Another issue and one most scientists believe to be much more severe and widespread is the destruction caused by non-native plant species. The top picture shows and area of the everglades completely consumed by a non-native fern.

5) Adjacent Development- The development on the borders of our parks have a direct effect on the health of the parks themselves. Mining, clear-cut logging, and prospecting on the borders of parks all pose serious threats to the water, land, and air quality within the parks.
6) Climate Change- The increased temperatures are already causing Glacier National Park to literally melt away. The increased temps will also mean longer seasons of fire threat and a complete change in the ecosystem.
7) Water- Freshwater is becoming more and more scarce and without this vital component nothing can survive. Not only does the increased temperatures contribute to this issue but the pollution to the water makes it at even higher risk of shortage.
8) Air pollution- The industries outside of the parks have a direct impact on the quality of air within the parks.
9) Roads- Many of the roads within these parks are in desperate need of repair to maintain the safety of those who drive on them. Unfortunately once again the need far outweighs the resources available to correct the problem. Currently the back log is well over nine and half million dollars and growing.
10) Visitors- The parks were created for the enjoyment of all but even the most well intentioned visitor has an impact on the environment. Over crowding and the allowed usage of the park has become a growing concern for those in charge of protection and management in the park.

It is easy to see that each of the above issues are complex and there is no simple solution. The first step to correcting any problem is acknowledgement to having a problem and each of us can do that with the multitude of available information right at our fingertips.