Thinking Person's Guide To America's National Parks

Published to coincide with the centennial of the founding of the USA's National Park Service, A Thinking Person's Guide to America's National Parks is a book for people interested in broadening and deepening their understanding of the full range of, and challenges facing, the national parks. This magnificent system includes the iconic western national parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon; urban parks such as Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco and Gateway National Recreation Area in New York City; historic sites, including the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Gettysburg National Military Park; and cultural sites like New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. The reader will learn about the vast array of programs offered by the National Park Service and affiliated organisations to educate the public about conservation and restoration. Containing twenty-three essays, with more than 300 colour illustrations, from contributing authors with deep personal and professional connections to the national parks, 'A Thinking Person's Guide' informs readers as to places in many parks where: ? Responses to climate change are being conceived and undertaken; ? Ideas such as "freedom," "civil rights" and "conservation" were borne and public memory of historic events is honoured; ? The balance between recreation and conservation, population pressure and preservation of nature is tested; ? Biodiversity is being preserved and the geological history can be seen; ? Partnerships between park managers and indigenous peoples are leading to more complete presentations of historical events; and ? Monuments and artefacts bearing witness to the US's economic, technological, and military history are on display.