A GENERATION SHIFT at our NATIONAL PARKS —Stiles

From the Zephyr Archives–2006

Longtime Zephyr subscriber Hank Ramsey sent me some disturbing information lately. He introduced me to an organization called “Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Units” or CESUs. According to CESU it is, “a network of cooperative research units (that) has been established to provide research, technical assistance, and education to resource and environmental managers…multiple Federal agencies and universities are among the partners in this program. Ecosystem studies involve the biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences needed to address resource issues and interdisciplinary problem solving at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context. Resources encompass natural and cultural resources.”

At a joint meeting of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains CESUs in April, the topic was “Tourism Break-Out.” Here are some excerpts:

“Regarding tourism and tourism patterns in the West, the key issue is CHANGE – including changes in visitor groups, desired activities, desired experiences, tourism patterns – and how these changes will influence federal land managers – in the short and long term.”

This section particularly moved me:

“A recurring discussion theme was that it’s important to have young people involved in projects – because they are a primary age group that we need to know more about, and a group that can help federal agencies recognize future needs. CESU collaboration with universities provides an excellent way to reach this group of young researchers/project team members.

“It is critical for federal managers to understand how different groups want to use federal lands and, in the same way, how they value federal lands. For example, how do BLM and/or NPS lands “resonate” with different age groups or ethnic groups – and what will this mean for the long-term support and interest in their federal lands.” Among the topics associated with this are:

“The changing values of generations regarding parks – what one generation values in a park (such as solitude) may be less important to another generation (that may be more interested in extreme sports).

“Use of Ipods, GIS, computer technology and how that can assist in site interpretation. Issue of “Receptivity.”)

“Great potential for partnerships with outdoor recreation outfitters, suppliers, clothing manufacturers, etc., who already know a great deal about our federal land visitors and have a strong handle on how people are using that land.”

This is how CESU views the future of our national parks. As if the future isn’t already here.

The Feb/Mar Z (click the cover)