REN R 462 - Parks, Ecology, & Society

Park

an area that is “natural looking” which is intended to stay that way into the foreseeable future, w/ some restrictions on development

Strict nature reserve

No modification of environment and limited or no access for ppl. Ex. Natural preserve area in Dinosaur Provincial Park

Wilderness area

No modification of environment and limited access

National Park

A large area set aside by a national government for the preservation of the natural environment

Natural Monument or Feature

Smaller than a national park. Can be a spring, old forest, etc. Common in the USA.

Habitat or Species Management Area

Preserve a unique aspect of nature that needs special attention. Ex. Buffalo National Park

Protected landscape or seascape

Place that has ppl and has taken on a character due to human and natural interactions. Relatively new and rare as of today

Protected areas with sustainable use of natural resources

Allows hunting, fishing, and sometimes logging. Usually doesn't include mining, oil and gas, etc.

IUCN park definition

clearly defines geographic space, recognized, dedicated, and managed through legal or other effective means to achieve long term conservation of nature w/ associated eco services and cultural values

Parkland

Idealized landscape in European style parks. Mix of open, grassy meadows (lawns) with trees between, May feature water bodies. Rolling landscape

Fictive parks

Only exist because we believe that they exist

Personification of feature

Gives feature the right to legal representation. Protection strategy

Hunting reserves

set of land for wildlife (enclosed). Had game/river keepers

Gilbert White

First of nature writers. Potentially influenced by Arcadian tradition. Contemplating the natural world means contemplating the creator

Arcadia

Portrayed as utopian and natural

Natural theology

To contemplate creation as a way to contemplate the creator

Romantic transcendentalist 

One should value nature for its own sake. Preservationism 

Yosemite

Established in 1864. First government park on Earth, though not the first national park. Hetch Hetchy Valley

Yellowstone

First national park. Motive was to control the method of tourism

Banff

First Canadian national park. Control of tourism & development. Couldn’t compete with manmade wonders of the world, so Canada relied on natural wonders. Rocky Mountain National Park. “Unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. Notion of wilderness ppl are willing to pay for

Rangers

police or guardians of ppl in nature

Evolutionary Ecological Conservation Ethic

System of ideas associated with Aldo Leopold. Science-based

Aldo Leopold

A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise. Land Ethic - “A Sand County Almanac” 

Thomas’ Theorem

If situations are defined as real, they become nature in their consequences. If you define nature as finished system, you’ll manage it as such.

Co-management

Indigenous & government. Based on land claim agreements. Typically in northern parks. Hard to manage

Indigenous Protecteed & conserved areas

managed by indigenous groups on their own lands

Linnaeus

Systema Naturae. Anti-arcadian. The Economy of Nature. Saw nature as the creation. Very orderly. Saw nature as fundamentally fixed, but working in a cycle. Species said to have very strict geographic limits. Believed in Scala Naturae

The Economy of Nature

nature works in a way that different species do different things and contribute in different ways to the functioning of nature

Scala Naturae

The great chain of being. Hierarchy of all living things

Natural Selection

Process that produces evolutionary change in species over generations

Offices

Species has a set number of places.

Mendel

Heredity is particular, not just a blend of parents

Darwin

Ideas of races and offices. Natural selection. Naturalist

Herbert Spencer

Survival of the fittest (took ideas of Darwin, but interpreted them wrong). Organicist

Organicist

Natural world is one big super organism. Greater than the sum of parts

Theodore Roosevelt

1901-1909 president of USA. Exemplar of American masculinity. Wildlife refuge established. Conservation & park supporter. Stand for spiritual value of nature

Pichot

Nature exists for human use. Conserve resources given by the creator → conservationism. Ethical way to proceed is the greatest good , for the greatest number, for the longest time.

Reductio ad absurbum

logical arguement. Leads to conclusion that is absurd, so premises must be wrong

Ballinger

Private land > public land. President of USA 1909-1911.

The Ballinger - Pinchot Affair

Pinchot said Ballinger undermined conservation. Pinchot was fired. Lead to split of republican party & resulted in less support for public land

Countryside Code

set of rules popular in UK regarding enjoying land

J. “Bunny” Harkin

Father of Canadian National Parks. First commissioner of dominion parks branch in 1911 (until 1935). Wanted to model Canadian mountain tourism after Swiss. Business model for parks. Glad he’s able to sell this and also give ppl nature (good for ppl). Control and collaborate with the railroad

Grey Owl

False Indigenous person. Famous author writing about beauty of wilderness & conservation values. Hired by Harkin as spokesman for Canadian National Parks

Consequentialist Ethics

Does the means justify the end?

Point Pelee National Park

First park established for preservation of biodiversity. Driven to establishment via bird enthusiasts

Nature Conservancy

Private & public donors for funding. Buys property to set aside for preserves

Conservation easement

Landowner enters agreement with nature conservatory. There is a legally binding restriction on title of property. Restriction can only be rescinded by ministerial order

Fee Simple

Property that is owned outright for management for conservation priorities. Land title is owned by nature conservatory