President Barack Obama and his family visit Yellowstone National Park today and Grand Canyon National Park tomorrow. In response, the editorial board of The New York Times writes,
It is an invitation to celebrate a profound and truly American idea, setting aside land for the future for conservation and recreation. Since the first national park — Yellowstone — was created in 1872, the idea has spread around the world, including to Afghanistan, which opened its first national park in June. But this is not an idea that sustains itself easily anywhere. It requires conviction and leadership and, overseas, the continued, inspiring example of America’s national park system.
President Theodore Roosevelt set aside 234 million acres of land for federal bird reservations, national game preserves, national forests, national parks and national monuments. He is the subject of a new biography from historian Douglas Brinkley.
But the national parks system is in trouble. Notes the Times,
The system faces an annual operating shortfall of some $600 million and an $8 billion backlog in deferred maintenance — roads, bridges, outbuildings and sewer systems that need repair — resulting from years of underfinancing.
Ken Burns, the famous documentary filmmaker who has produced substantial films about baseball, jazz and New York among others returns with a film this fall titled “National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”
This weekend, national parks all over the country are open free of charge.
Hopefully this brings awareness and attention to the issue facing our national parks system. According to the National Parks Conservation Association there are seven national parks in Arkansas: Arkansas Post National Memorial, Buffalo National River, Ft. Smith National Historic Site, Hot Springs National Park, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Pea Ridge National Military Park and the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. We also have two national forests: Ouachita National Forest and Ozark-St. Francis National Forest.
Shoring up these sacred lands appears to be a priority of this administration (Obama has pledged $3 billion in stimulus funds to address myriad problems). Hopefully, it will also be a priority to set aside more land for designation, protection and public enjoyment, particularly here in Arkansas.