1 Introduction
„In order to sustain our global environment and improve the quality of living in our human settlements, we commit ourselves to sustainable patterns of production, consumption, transportation and settlement development, pollution prevention, respect for the carrying capacity of eco-systems, and the preservation of opportunities for future generations“(1) (Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, June 1996).
National Parks in the United States and almost all over the world are being subjected to a paradigm shift in park conservation and management. In the early years of National Parks, conservation strategies and management actions were based on a belief that parks were static landscapes, isolated from human activities and adjacent lands, and that they were meant solely for the pleasure of visitors. Attempts to resolve system dysfunctions - wrought by erroneous views and the consequences of subsequent management policies, such as predator removal and fire suppression - were approached one species at a time. Today, this paradigm is slowly shifting to a knowledge-based understanding of ecosystems as es now recognize the need to include people as part of the system and to address causes, rather than symptoms, of system dysfunction by managing whole
ecosystems, not just single species. However, National Park Management is not just limited to conservation strategies. National Park Management includes a widespread variety of management
activities such as the most essential activities like park system planning, land protection, natural resource management (biological resource management, fire management, water resource management, air
resource management, geologic resource management, soundscape and lightscape management), cultural resource management (e.g. archeological resources, cultural landscape, ethnographic resources, historic structures), wilderness preservation and management, interpretation and education, tourism/visitor management, and park facilities management. It is clear that in each park the emphasis of management activities should be adapted to the needs of the park, its problems and challenges. However, the next generation of park managers will need to be able to tolerate ambiguity, manage change, manage tourism patterns, set and communicate priorities, handle controversy, and understand political processes.
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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 1.1 Formulation of the problem
- 1.2 Structure of this paper
- 2 History of the US National Parks
- 3 Criteria for Inclusion
- 4 Management Policies
- 5 Management Effectiveness of Protected Areas
- 5.1 Programming
- 5.2 Managing Information
- 5.3 Accountability
- 5.4 Requirements
- 6 Progresses of evaluating management effectiveness
- 7 Park System Planning
- 7.1 General Management Planning
- 7.2 Strategic Planning
- 7.3 Implementation Planning
- 7.4 Annual Performance Planning and Reporting
- 8 Internal and external threats
- 8.1 Impacts of global warming on National Parks
- 8.2 Challenges of the 21st century
- 8.2.1 Natural resource protection
- 8.2.2 Cultural resource stewardship
- 8.2.3 Education
- 8.2.4 Leadership
- 8.2.5 Outlook for National Parks
- 9 The Park Ranger System
- 9.1 Park Rangers Duties in the NPS
- 9.2 Location and Training in the NPS
- 9.3 Career Potential for Park Rangers in the NPS
- 10 Financial issues
- 11 International Trends in Park Tourism
- 12 Ecotourism
- 12.1 Styles of Ecotourism
- 12.1.1 Self reliant ecotourism
- 12.1.2 Small group ecotourism
- 12.1.3 Popular ecotourism
- 12.2 Complement of Ecotourism
- 12.1 Styles of Ecotourism
- 13 Park Tourism Market
- 14 Mass tourism phenomenon
- 14.1 Definition of tourism
- 14.2 History of tourism
- 14.3 Mass tourism
- 14.4 Education
- 14.5 Facing mass tourism problems in US National Parks
- 15 Future tourists
- 16 Protected Areas Classification
- 17 Park Economics
- 17.1 Use Fees
- 17.2 Data collection and communication
- 17.3 Pricing Policy
- 17.4 Tourism Planning and Management Competencies
- 17.5 Visitation Statistics
- 18 Tourism Management Structures
- 19 Park Tourism Opportunities and Challenges
- 20 National Park Tourism Summary and Conclusions
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis explores the management of US National Parks, specifically focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by sustainable tourism. It aims to analyze the historical development of National Park management, identify key management policies, and evaluate the effectiveness of these policies in protecting natural and cultural resources while promoting sustainable tourism.
- The evolution of National Park management practices and the shift towards ecosystem-based approaches.
- The impact of tourism on National Parks, including both opportunities and challenges.
- The importance of sustainable tourism practices in managing National Parks effectively.
- The role of park rangers in managing and protecting National Parks.
- The economic dimensions of National Park management, including revenue generation and financial challenges.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces the thesis, outlining its purpose and scope. It discusses the paradigm shift in park management, emphasizing the move towards an ecosystem-based approach and the recognition of the need for sustainable practices.
Chapter two delves into the historical development of the US National Park system, highlighting key events and influences that shaped its evolution.
Chapter three examines the criteria for inclusion in the National Park system, exploring the rationale behind the selection and designation of specific areas.
Chapter four focuses on management policies implemented within the National Park system, analyzing their effectiveness in addressing various conservation and tourism-related issues.
Chapter five examines the effectiveness of management policies in protecting areas, including programming, information management, accountability, and requirements.
Chapter six explores the progress made in evaluating the effectiveness of management policies and identifying areas for improvement.
Chapter seven discusses park system planning, covering general management planning, strategic planning, implementation planning, and annual performance planning.
Chapter eight addresses internal and external threats facing National Parks, including the impacts of global warming and the challenges of the 21st century, such as natural resource protection, cultural resource stewardship, education, leadership, and the outlook for National Parks.
Chapter nine provides a detailed look at the park ranger system, including their duties, training, and career opportunities within the National Park Service (NPS).
Chapter ten focuses on the financial issues facing National Park management, exploring revenue generation, cost control, and funding challenges.
Chapter eleven examines international trends in park tourism, analyzing global patterns and identifying key factors influencing visitor behavior and demand.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
National Parks, sustainable tourism, conservation, ecosystem management, protected areas, park management policies, park ranger system, ecotourism, mass tourism, visitor management, park economics, financial issues, global warming, threats to National Parks.
- Quote paper
- Roland Oberdorfer (Author), 2001, National Park Management - A study of US National Parks with particular emphasis on sustainable tourism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/317
