American Paradise: The History of U.S. National Park Preservation
More than 331 million visitors traveled to a national park this past year in search of a peaceful place to hike, explore, and learn freely. From their historic beginnings to their present-day challenges, national parks represent more than just scenic destinations; they are a reflection of our nation’s community, history, and responsibility to future generations. While surrounded by their beauty, we rarely stop to question what life was like before our familiar parks system was constructed.
In 1872, Congress passed the “Yellowstone National Park Protection Act,” establishing what we are now familiar with as Yellowstone, primarily in Wyoming, as the first national park in the world. This groundbreaking legislation marked a turning point in U.S. conservation, its purpose being “for the enjoyment of the people.” The act was influenced by a growing conservation movement in the nineteenth century that advocated for the beauty of the American West, inspiring art, literature, and a longing for untouched landscapes amidst increasing industrialization. In the midst of the U.S. Industrial Revolution, there was a growing desire to escape the urban scenes that were slowly becoming the new norm. From this appreciation of our nation’s natural beauty came the desire to preserve it, and in turn provide the same for future generations.
Since the act’s first establishment, the U.S. now has 63 national parks protected and operated by the National Park Service, five of which reside locally within the Pacific Northwest. At the time of Yellowstone’s creation, much of the Mountain West was sparsely settled by non-Indigenous populations, and the region’s dramatic landscapes and relative remoteness contributed to a concentration of early national parks in the area.
When these parks were first established, they had no dedicated agency to manage them. That changed in 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson created the National Park Service. The bureau works to “provide for the enjoyment… as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” The language of the act makes it clear that the National Park Service was established not only to protect the designated lands, but also to provide enjoyment and educational services for all Americans.
Lucky enough to call the Pacific Northwest home, we are surrounded by some of the most diverse and breathtaking national parks in the country. Among them, Crater Lake, Oregon’s only national park, truly stands out this season as its roads thaw and water levels rise. Not only is it the deepest lake in the United States, but it's also one of the purest bodies of water on Earth, as it's filled entirely by rain and snow runoff. Crater Lake was formed nearly 8,000 years ago when Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed, leaving behind a near-perfect earthen bowl. Long before that eruption, Mount Mazama was a sacred site to local Native Americans whose history with the land dates back thousands of years. The lake remained hidden from settlers until 1853, when a gold prospector from California stumbled upon it and was stunned by what he called “the bluest water he had ever seen” (the article has since been removed from the National Park Service Website). Crater Lake, like every national park, is a testament to the complex layers of geographical and cultural history that intertwine and invite curiosity and understanding.
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees and 300,000 volunteers protect and care for America’s 400+ national parks and historical monuments, providing communities with access to the land’s rich history. However, with budget cuts, climate change, and strains on the parks’ infrastructure and staff, the future of our beloved parks appears uncertain at times. Many parks are currently coping with trail deterioration and program underfunding. Without constant support from the public, we risk losing access to the ecosystems, histories, and educational opportunities that National Park Service personnel strive so hard to preserve. Just as the Yellowstone Act makes clear that these parks were created for the benefit of the public, it is only right to expect continued recognition and protection through legislative action.
National parks were created to offer spaces of reflection, education, and joy for all Americans. As we celebrate Earth Day today and every day, supporting our parks is more important than ever. Whether through advocacy, volunteering, or simply visiting with care, we can work to ensure that these lands remain protected for generations to come.
Sources
Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/collections/national-parks-maps/articles-and-essays/brief-history-of-the-national-parks/
National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/paid-content-pacific-northwest-national-parks
National Parks Conservation Association: https://www.npca.org/articles/7044-parks-are-being-dismantled-before-our-very-eyes
National Park Service:
https://www.nps.gov/articles/quick-nps-history.htm
https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/anps/anps_1c.htm
U.S. Department of the Interior: