"There is nothing so American as our national parks.... The fundamental idea behind the parks...is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us."
-Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States
-Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States
Rights and Responsibility
The creation of the National Park Service marked the first time in history that the government not only set aside land for natural and historical preservation, but also created an agency to govern such lands. Many other international organizations and governments followed suit (read more in 'Global Response'). This was momentous in the sense that it was the first time a government took the responsibility to preserve its environment, preventing the desecration of national land.
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Responsibility
Since the creation of the National Park Service, it is national law that the government has the responsibility to protect its lands. The responsibility of the National Park Service is
"to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
-Organic Act of 1916 While lands at the time were being set aside for land conservation, the creation of the NPS was the first time land was preserved and protected from human development.
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"[The Organic Act of 1916] can be interpreted in different ways, but most NPS employees take it as a legal mandate to protect the resources under our care. So, in this way, in 1916, our government was making a statement of its responsibility to protect the environment—at least those parts of it that were in national parks. We are very passionate and proud of this mission and do everything within our power to carry it out."
-Carol Shively, in a personal interview |
Rights
Not only is it a responsibility of the government to protect the lands, it is a right of a United States citizen to be able to enjoy the environment and these lands. The purpose of protecting the land is for the citizens to be able to enjoy them for recreational and educational purposes.
-Jon Jarvis, in a personal interview
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"The American people literally own these special places. This gives them the right to visit the parks and to have a say in their management. That is why any major planning project in a national park includes public involvement. Also, we depend on citizens to support the parks and to speak up for them when they are threatened."
-Carol Shively, in a personal interview |