Organic Act of the NPS. Has The Agency Fulfilled Its Mandate?
©Bert Gildart: The most recent issue of Airstream Life contains my story about national parks. Essentially, my story posed a question that asks whether the NPS has maintained the goals posed by their Organic Act.
Kayaking to Apostle Islands
The goals are lofty and state that the objective of the organization’s 400-plus parks 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.”
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
It’s appropriate to ask such as question at this time as the Service is gearing up for its centennial which will occur on August 25, 2016. In anticipation of that celebration many will recall that on the 25th of this past August entry fees to our all of our national parks were waved.
To help answer the question in Airstream Life the story reviewed a number of policies the NPS has attempted to implement, to include its grizzly bear management program and its attempts to reintroduce wolves to Yellowstone. As well, I discussed the difficulty of handling illegal immigration in Organ Pipe and the problems some visitors have created when they release snakes foreign to the ecosystem. Obviously all these actions directly affect the intent of the Organic Act.
PARK ADVENTURES
As well, I described the enjoyment offered in our national parks by describing some of the wonderful adventures parks offer such as backpacking, kayaking, biking and the opportunity to appreciate and learn about nature. Finally, I attempted to celebrate some of the types of features that parks preserve such as our antiquities.
Tragedies of the '60s necessitated creation of a Bear Management Program, mandated by the NPS Organic Act
These are the types of subjects I’ve written about over the years for dozens of magazines. I am particularly pleased, however, that for the past 10 years (since the inception of Airstream Life) that I have contributed stories and photographs to every single issue.
AIRSTREAM LIFE READERS
The magazine is a glossy magazine and it is well laid out. Obviously it is directed toward a specific audience, but of importance to me is that so many of the magazine’s readers are dedicated to the important objective the NPS has attempted to achieve. It’s obvious the agency is working hard to fulfill the mandates of its Organic Act, and that it wants you to benefit from its manifold accomplishments. In truth, these parks are so significant that the beauty and the heritage they preserve may help preserve and stimulate mankind.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR:
Memories Through the Years: http://gildartphoto.com/weblog/2013/09/10/memorable-adventures
4th ed. Autographed by the Authors
Hiking Shenandoah National Park
Hiking Shenandoah National Park is the 4th edition of a favorite guide book, created by Bert & Janie, a professional husband-wife journalism team. Lots of updates including more waterfall trails, updated descriptions of confusing trail junctions, and new color photographs. New text describes more of the park’s compelling natural history. Often the descriptions are personal as the Gildarts have hiked virtually every single park trail, sometimes repeatedly.
Big Sky Country is beautiful
Montana Icons: 50 Classic Symbols of the Treasure State
Montana Icons is a book for lovers of the western vista. Features photographs of fifty famous landmarks from what many call the “Last Best Place.” The book will make you feel homesick for Montana even if you already live here. Bert Gildart’s varied careers in Montana (Bus driver on an Indian reservation, a teacher, backcountry ranger, as well as a newspaper reporter, and photographer) have given him a special view of Montana, which he shares in this book. Share the view; click here.
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
What makes Glacier, Glacier?
Glacier Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Crown of the Continent
Glacier Icons: What makes Glacier Park so special? In this book you can discover the story behind fifty of this park’s most amazing features. With this entertaining collection of photos, anecdotes and little known facts, Bert Gildart will be your backcountry guide. A former Glacier backcountry ranger turned writer/photographer, his hundreds of stories and images have appeared in literally dozens of periodicals including Time/Life, Smithsonian, and Field & Stream. Take a look at Glacier Icons
$16.95 + Autographed Copy
