For the Love of Our National Parks | Northern California fine art photography
If you’ve followed my work/blog for any time at all, you know that the National Parks are near and dear to me. National parks hold a special place in our collective consciousness, serving as sanctuaries of natural beauty and biodiversity. These protected areas play a crucial role in preserving unique ecosystems, providing habitats for wildlife, and offering opportunities for recreation, reflection, and opportunities to relax, unwind, and take a deep breath. However, our national parks are facing unprecedented challenges in the modern era, ranging from overcrowding, pollution, climate change, and most recently reductions to an already stretched-to-the-limit park staff.
It is no secret that some people do not appreciate nature and all it offers us, want to privatize these lands and strip them of their natural resources. It seems that perhaps they never had the supreme pleasure of experiencing our parks first hand.
“National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.”
Bryce Canyon National Park
Significance of our National Parks
National Parks hold a significant place in history as they represent our collective efforts to protect and preserve our natural heritage for future generations. They embody our commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship. They are vital in safeguarding the natural beauty of our planet. These areas serve as sanctuaries for diverse ecosystems and wildlife, allowing us to connect with nature and appreciate its wonders.
National Parks harbor a wide range of plant and animal species found nowhere else. They provide essential ecosystem services such as clean air and water, carbon sequestration, and soil fertility, benefiting both nature and people.
“There is nothing so American as our national parks.... The fundamental idea behind the parks...is that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us.”
Mount Shuksan, North Cascades National Park
Protecting Our National Parks
Behind every stunning vista in a national park is a web of legislation and regulatory frameworks that help protect these natural wonders. Government policies play a crucial role in ensuring that our national parks are preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Protecting national parks requires more than just policies on paper - it also requires adequate funding and oversight. Governments play a vital role in allocating resources, monitoring park activities, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that our national parks are well-managed and safeguarded against threats.
As we reflect on the vital role that national parks play in preserving our natural heritage, it becomes increasingly evident that collective action is essential to ensure their longevity.
“As we Americans celebrate our diversity, so we must affirm our unity if we are to remain the ‘one nation’ to which we pledge allegiance. Such great national symbols and meccas as the Liberty Bell, the battlefields on which our independence was won and our union preserved, the Lincoln Memorial, the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and numerous other treasures of our national park system belong to all of us, both legally and spiritually. These tangible evidences of our cultural and natural heritage help make us all Americans.”
Smoky Mountain National Park
For the love of our National Parks, I urge you to become involved in their protection. Visit them responsibly, promote them wisely, help safeguard them from threats and encourage others to do the same. To learn more about simple actions that you can do to support our National Treasures, please check out:
“How We Can Support Our Public Lands”
by Nature Photographers Network.
It would be a shame to have these remarkable areas compromised in any way. Please help however you can. It would be very much appreciated by me and generations to come. Thank you.
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As a published, featured northern California fine art photographer living in the greater Sacramento area, I specialize in fine art landscape, nature, and still life photography. My style is authentic, fresh and personality-driven. I offer several educational opportunities including workshops and photography mentoring. You can learn about them by going to SERVICES and WORKSHOPS. While currently living in rural northern California with my husband and a couple thousand walnut trees, I post regularly to Instagram.
Please CONTACT ME with any questions or to schedule your learning session.
Serving Yuba City/Marysville, East Nicolaus, Wheatland, Lincoln, Woodland, Davis, Roseville, Rocklin, and the greater Sacramento area.
(530) 633-7575
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Utah is home to some of the most striking natural wonders in the world, and two of the most photographed are Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park and Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.