In 1916 president Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created the National Park Service as a new section of the Department of the Interior, and thus, preserving pieces of history for generations to come. The Department of the Interior manages and protects over 400 National Parks, portions of land owned by the American people that are protected under law, to this day.
These beautiful Parks are home to thousands of species of wildlife and foliage, and more are discovered each year! The terrain in each Park ranges anywhere from wide, grassy plains to turquoise blue waters to steep mountain vistas. Their beauty is unmatched, and has been the inspiration for many poets, artists, and musicians for centuries.
Sadly, natural resources and wild lands have been diminishing since the beginning of our civilization here in the United States of America. From the very first colony to the Oregon Trail to the Industrial Revolution and beyond, more and more of America’s lands have been used for industrial expansion. This growth is beneficial to society in many ways, but the cost of this convenience is high and is taken from an unreplenishable resource- the lands of the American people.
Recently, a number of government officials have made motions to amend Park boundaries to be able to sell off portions of the lands for financial gain. It is imperative that public land owners (aka you and I) do all we can to protect these territories from being further destroyed and industrialized. Without these Parks, millions of people will be missing out on the myriad of benefits they offer. Educational programs will have to be reduced, animal habitats will be destroyed, and places of untapped beauty that offer respite to many will be gone forever. Nature is our home, and we must do everything we can to protect and preserve it before it is too late.
The National Park Nerd 