4 weeks later...

At the beginning of the semester when I learnt I would have to spend 4 weeks researching a tourism related environmental issue, I instantly dreaded the assignment. After spending considerable amounts of time researching different aspects of National Parks, I quickly changed my mind about dreading the assignment. I decide against researching only one specific area of National Parks, example pollution or water usage, and decided to broaden my research area to everything and anything related to these protected grounds.

I’ll admit, before engaging in this assignment, I didn’t know much about National Parks, aside from admiring their beauty. This assignment has helped me understand the history of National Parks and the struggle that many people had to endure in order for us to enjoy what many have left behind. It is extremely humbling knowing that many individuals fought, and are still fighting to preserve land from hunting, logging, etc. National Parks are the homes of many species of animals, insects, plants, and birds, and millions of people intrude their homes yearly.

Why are we fighting so hard to destroy what so many people have fought to preserve? One more person won’t hurt the environment, 5 million have already been here; 1 missing rock – no one would never notice; 204 Olympic sized pools of missing water – who needs it; elks destroying cars in downtown Banff because there is no wolves to control the population – well you shouldn’t have parked your car there. Oh, don’t forget to back your shot gun in your picnic basket along with the salt and pepper.

The point of the matter is we are slowly destroying nature’s beauty, animal’s homes, and thousands of different species. Species are becoming extinct, water is being destroyed, and the pollution from millions of vehicles are destroying our ozone layer. I’m not saying stop visiting National Parks, go and enjoy the beauty of it, but leave it just as you have found it. Do not be a part of turning Banff National Park into another Vancouver. Remember, National Parks are ‘for the benefit and enjoyment of the people’. Enjoy the beauty today, without compromising the beauty of tomorrow.