Recent gwf items

Natural Resources Management — Trend or Fad?

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper examines whether natural resources management (NRM) within the U.S. National Park System represents a lasting trend or a temporary fad. Drawing on John Naisbett's distinction between top-down fads and bottom-up trends, the author argues that NRM is a grassroots, enduring movement critical to the long-term preservation of park resources. Historical shifts from resource care to law enforcement during the mid-20th century, combined with increased visitation, staff reductions, and growing external environmental threats, challenged traditional management approaches. Congressional reports in 1980 and 1981 highlighted the escalating threats to park resources and spurred development of prevention and mitigation strategies, including the establishment of a Natural Resources Management Trainee Program. Data from 1979 to 1982 indicate significant growth in the number and expertise of natural resource specialists, expanded training efforts, and increased adoption of resource management...

Research in the National Parks

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In this article, which was published in 1933 and reprinted here, Horace M. Albright outlines the evolution and significance of scientific research within the U.S. National Park System, which began with Yellowstone in 1872. Initially focused on preserving scenic beauty for public enjoyment, the parks soon became vital laboratories for scientific and historical study, leading to a broader mission that emphasized both conservation and education. Albright describes how parks such as Yosemite, Mesa Verde, and Grand Canyon offer unique geological, biological, and anthropological features that attract researchers and visitors alike. Over time, research expanded from basic protection and interpretation to include complex wildlife management and ecological restoration efforts, such as restocking buffalo and antelope herds and combating diseases and invasive species. He highlights how collaborative studies, especially those initiated by George M. Wright and others, became essential to maintaining...

Non-ecological Principles for Park Management

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Rick Smith argues that effective park stewardship often hinges less on ecological science than on understanding and navigating human—and especially political—realities. Drawing on Everglades National Park's history, he distills five "non-ecological" principles: (1) every park's creation rests on explicit and implicit promises to secure support, with newer parks bearing more complex deals; (2) stakeholders will only agree to modify those deals when they see their own interests served, not simply because it benefits the resources; (3) decisions still can—and sometimes must—be driven by philosophical or political considerations rather than pure science (though this demands transparency, readiness for challenge, and ideally a strong research program); (4) ostensibly "settled" environmental issues can erupt into political battlegrounds, requiring the park's political allies to engage; and (5) no elected official can long resist overwhelming public sentiment, so advocacy must be grounded...

Table of Contents, Vol. 4, No. 1

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Table of Contents, Vol. 4, No. 1

Table of Contents, Vol. 3, No. 4

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Table of Contents, Vol. 3, No. 4

Biological Research and Management in the National Park Service: A History

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Lowell Sumner's retrospective traces the ebb and flow of biological research and management in the U.S. National Park Service from its early ecological surveys in the 1930s through mid-century decline and recent revival. He highlights the pioneering influence of Joseph Grinnell and Aldo Leopold in establishing non-interference and active stewardship principles, George M. Wright's groundbreaking Wildlife Division and its formative Fauna publications, and the disruptive impacts of World War II and postwar neglect. Sumner documents efforts to reinvigorate park biology—via the Leopold Report, National Academy of Sciences review, and the establishment of dedicated research budgets and offices—and argues that only sustained, well-funded ecological inquiry can prevent irreversible degradation of park ecosystems.

Urban Soils of Washington, D.C.

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Urban soils, heavily influenced and disturbed by human activities such as earth moving, compaction, and filling, exhibit unique physical and chemical properties distinct from natural soils. This study characterizes the urban soils of Washington, D.C., focusing on soils in the National Capital Region's parks, especially the Mall area. These soils are primarily formed from fill material, containing artifacts such as concrete, brick, and glass, resulting in lithologic discontinuities that impede water movement and cause poor drainage. Physical properties show increased bulk density and reduced pore space, leading to compacted soils that stress plant growth by limiting root penetration, water, and nutrient uptake. Chemically, urban soils tend to have higher pH and base saturation due to lime-bearing debris and often elevated heavy metal contents from urban pollution, though not at levels limiting plant use. Organic matter content is generally low, reducing soil fertility and structural...

Extinct Carnivores Entombed in 20 Million Year Old Dens, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study documents the discovery and analysis of 20-million-year-old carnivore dens at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska—the oldest known evidence of denning behavior in large mammalian carnivores. Originally excavated in 1905 and rediscovered in 1981, Carnegie Quarry 3 yielded an unusually high concentration of carnivore fossils, particularly of the amphicyonid "beardog" Daphoenodon superbus. Subsequent excavations revealed a complex of burrows and partially articulated skeletons, providing compelling evidence that the site served as an ancient denning area. The discovery of multiple burrows with stratified infill, disarticulated remains, and a range of individual ages supports the hypothesis of repeated use by successive generations of carnivores. These findings offer unprecedented insights into the behavioral ecology of extinct mid-Cenozoic predators and mark the earliest documented instance of such behavior in the fossil record. Continued research at the site...

Western Parks and the American Character

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In his 1984 keynote address at the Parks in the West Conference, historian William E. Brown explores how myth, landscape, and the evolving American character intersect in the context of western parks and preserved lands. Drawing inspiration from Joseph Campbell's notion that mythologies evolve with landscapes and technologies, Brown reflects on the Lewis and Clark Expedition as a foundational American myth rooted in untouched wilderness and the yearning for Eden. He contrasts their awe and discovery with the stark changes wrought by industrialization, which have altered and erased much of the natural and cultural landscape they once traversed. Brown argues that western parks now serve as sanctuaries for these diminishing myths and experiences, offering spiritual and psychological refuge from modern life. He questions whether the American character—shaped by frontier experiences and mythic landscapes—can endure in a world that increasingly constrains it. Affirming his romantic...

A Few Convictions

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

T. Destry Jarvis insists that America's national parks—our "single most important collection of national heritage”—stand at a crossroads, threatened by boundary encroachment, understaffing, insufficient scientific expertise, unchecked visitor impacts, and political interference. He argues that the Park Service's morale and professionalism are inseparable from its ability to steward these "crown jewels," and warns against a culture of "tolerance" that allows incremental development and degradation. Urging park managers to adopt a long-term perspective—centuries rather than days—he calls for bolstering resource-science capacity, rigorously evaluating every proposed concession, and safeguarding parks' ecosystem integrity and spiritual value so that future generations may inherit landscapes "primeval and pristine" and historic sites "dignified" for posterity.

Editorial

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A reflection from the GWS co-founder and former National Park Service chief scientist on how the key recommendation from the Leopold Report was interpreted.

Vestal Fires and Virgin Lands: A Historical Perspective on Fire and Wilderness

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In this seminal paper, Stephen J. Pyne explores the complex, often paradoxical relationship between fire and wilderness, two concepts deeply entwined in American land management and cultural identity. Pyne challenges the simplistic view that managing fire in wilderness areas is merely the restoration of a natural process, arguing instead that both fire and wilderness are cultural constructs—hybrids of nature and human values. He traces the evolution of fire use from early human history through industrial forestry to the modern era of “wilderness fire,” a phase marked by ideological and legal transformations following the Wilderness Act. Pyne argues that wilderness fire emerged not just as a technical challenge but as a philosophical problem, reshaping national fire policy and prompting broader acceptance of prescribed burning. Yet, he warns that this era is finite; as its philosophical fervor wanes, the operational challenges remain. Ultimately, Pyne calls for a pragmatic reconciliation...

Society Notes

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Society Notes

Rationalizing Management of Natural Areas in National Parks

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

David M. Graber argues that national-park management policies must evolve as ecological science advances and societal values change, tracing this shift from the Yellowstone Act of 1872 through the Leopold Report of 1963 to contemporary fire and wildlife strategies. He shows how early "spectacle" era practices—protecting scenic features and accommodating tourism—gave way to resource management informed by systematic study, such as the Leopold Committee's call to restore "primitive America" scenes via population controls, exotic-species removal, and prescribed fire. Graber critiques the scene-management paradigm for its anthropogenic artifacts and proposes instead an "ecological reserve" principle: parks' natural areas should prioritize unhindered interactions among native processes (like fire, succession, and predator–prey cycles) and structural elements (plants, animals, soils) except when intervention is required to reverse human impacts, protect key resources, or safeguard human...

Get the Facts, and Put Them to Work: Comprehensive Natural History Research Program for the National Parks

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Howard R. Stagner emphasizes that America's national parks—our largest, best-preserved remnants of original landscapes—cannot fulfill their roles as wilderness havens, research laboratories, and educational theaters unless underpinned by a robust, continuous program of natural-history research. He warns that parks are increasingly isolated "islands" besieged by upstream, boundary, and visitor-borne pressures, and that without precise knowledge of park ecosystems, their processes, and visitor interactions, subtle but irreversible degradation will continue. To address this, Stagner proposes a five-year, system-wide research framework: develop park-specific master plans in collaboration with universities and agencies; sequence targeted studies that build on one another; administer and coordinate via a dedicated National Park Service research staff; translate findings into management actions and public interpretation; and encourage independent basic research. By treating parks as...

Review: Ecological Conditions in National Forests and National Parks, by C.C. Adams, 1925

Fri, 6 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Review: Ecological Conditions in National Forests and National Parks, by C.C. Adams, 1925

Park Superintendent Responds to "Acid Rain" Article

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A letter from the superintendent of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area to the manager of Plateau Electric Cooperative.

Natural Resources Management—Nature Conservation in Parks: Statement by Roland H. Wauer at the New Directions in Conservation of Parks Conference

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In his statement at the New Directions for Conservation of Parks Conference, Roland H. Wauer discusses the evolution of natural resource management within the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), highlighting the shift in ranger duties from resource stewardship to law enforcement due to increased visitation and social unrest in the 1970s. This shift, coupled with limited funding and expanding park units, led to declining attention to ecological conservation. In response, the NPS developed a comprehensive strategy for resource protection, outlined in the 1979 State of the Parks Report and a 1980 mitigation plan. Wauer details six major initiatives implemented since then: (1) mandatory Resources Management Plans for all parks, (2) identification and prioritization of Significant Resource Problems (SRPs), (3) targeted training for superintendents and specialists, (4) a Natural Resources Management Trainee Program, (5) Information Baseline Guidelines to support planning, and (6) the...

An Outdoor Laboratory: The Indiana Dunes

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article highlights the ecological and scientific significance of the Indiana Dunes, recounting its appeal to early 20th-century scientists and its foundational role in American ecology. Inspired by his first sight of the dunes in 1896, Professor Henry Chandler Cowles pioneered ecological studies in the region, particularly plant succession, establishing the Dunes as a natural laboratory. The article outlines Cowles' classification of dune stages and the region's rich geological and ecological history, including its post-glacial evolution and unique biodiversity. It also reviews ongoing research in botany, geology, animal ecology, and air quality, emphasizing the Dunes' continued importance to conservation and scientific inquiry. The piece serves as both a tribute to early ecological pioneers and a call to support ongoing preservation efforts.

Cooperative Regional Demonstration Projects: Environmental Education in Practice

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article proposes a strategy to address escalating environmental degradation in tropical and subtropical regions through the development of Cooperative Regional Demonstration Projects (CRDPs). These projects build upon the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program, using biosphere reserves as focal points for integrated conservation, research, and sustainable development. CRDPs emphasize collaboration among local communities, scientists, policymakers, and international organizations to solve region-specific ecological challenges. Case studies from Mexico, Kenya, and Rwanda illustrate how CRDPs can demonstrate effective environmental management practices, promote community participation, and serve as models for broader application. The author advocates for increased international support, training, and coordination to implement these projects and strengthen global cooperation in environmental stewardship.

(Book) Reviews

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Reviews of "The National Park Service" (Everhart), "Algeny" (Rifkin), and "The Making of a Ranger" (Garrison).

Historic Archaeology and Reshaping the Myths of American Origins

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In this critical appraisal, Mark P. Leone examines the evolving role and identity of historical archaeology in the United States, emphasizing its transition from historical verification to anthropological inquiry. He identifies two major methodological camps: one rooted in scientific analysis and hypothesis testing (as championed by Stanley South), and the other in cognitive and symbolic interpretation (led by James Deetz). Leone critiques both for their limitations—either in theoretical integration or methodological clarity—and calls for a more coherent linkage between archaeological data, public interpretation, and national identity. He argues that the field's current disconnect from American historical narratives weakens its public and scholarly impact. Through case studies such as the excavations at Santa Elena, Flowerdew Hundred, and Martin's Hundred, Leone illustrates the potential for historical archaeology to reshape dominant myths about American origins. He advocates...

Society Notes

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A list of members, and notice of a research grant program.

(Book) Review

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A review of "Extinction" by Paul Ehrlich and Anne Ehrlich.

Technology, Environment, and the Historic American Engineering Record

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article explores the mission and activities of the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), a National Park Service program established in 1969 to document historic engineering and industrial sites across the United States. Emphasizing the intersection of technology and the environment, the article highlights how HAER's detailed documentation—through photographs, drawings, and historical reports—preserves technological heritage and informs future research. Jackson underscores the significance of understanding how environmental factors have shaped technological development, using examples such as coal-fueled iron smelting in England and water-powered mills in the United States. The article calls for deeper collaboration between historians of technology and natural scientists to study the mutual influences of environment and industry, using case studies like early copper mining on Isle Royale to demonstrate the value of integrating historical insights into ecological...

MAB and its Biosphere Reserves Project: A New Dimension in Global Conservation

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper explores the evolution, purpose, and impact of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program, emphasizing its Biosphere Reserves Project as a transformative approach to global conservation. It traces the origins of the biosphere reserve concept as a response to the limitations of traditional protected areas and highlights the need for integrating conservation with sustainable development. The MAB Program is shown as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration across nations, institutions, and communities, aiming to conserve biodiversity while fostering research, education, and demonstration projects. The structure and criteria for establishing biosphere reserves are detailed, including core and buffer zones designed to balance ecological protection and human activity. The paper also describes the implementation of the program in the United States, including the establishment of a national network of biosphere reserves, its administrative framework, and the roles...

Editorial

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Reflections on the place of conscience in research and publishing.

A Curious Finding from National Park Service Anthropology

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article presents a cultural anthropological observation from fieldwork conducted in 1979–1980 at Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, focusing on the commercial fishing practices on Rainy and Namakan Lakes along the U.S.–Canada border. A notable difference emerged: American fishermen universally used a safety device—a stern-mounted bar designed to prevent gill net entanglement—while Canadian fishermen, despite using similar boats and maintaining close cross-border ties, did not. The author explores this divergence as potentially symbolic, reflecting cultural identity and resistance to adopting innovations perceived as American. This case illustrates how practical customs may also serve as expressions of social or national identity, raising questions for further ethnographic inquiry into the cultural meanings embedded in technology adoption.

A Data Base Management System for Cultural Resource Managers

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

As part of a broader initiative to enhance cultural resource management at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a computerized data base management system (DBMS) was developed to consolidate and analyze archaeological and environmental data. Initially based on data coded for the San Juan Basin Regional Uranium Study, the system integrates site attributes with digitized environmental variables such as soil, vegetation, and erosion channels. The system—named PARKMAN—enables resource managers to access and interpret detailed site information, generate visual overlays, and support preservation planning, research, and interpretive efforts. Early accomplishments include data cleaning, hardware and software setup, and digitization of critical environmental and cultural features. Ongoing work aims to expand the data set and improve its utility for decision-making and conservation. This pilot project is also serving as a model for other regions with similar archaeological and management...

Aldo Starker Leopold: 1913–1983

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This memorial article honors the life and legacy of Aldo Starker Leopold, a pioneering wildlife ecologist and influential figure in American conservation policy. Written shortly after Leopold's death in 1983, the piece reflects on his profound impact on national park and wilderness fire management, particularly through the seminal 1963 "Leopold Report" which redefined ecological restoration and management strategies within the U.S. National Park Service. Kilgore recounts Leopold's pragmatic yet visionary philosophy, advocating for scientifically informed and ecologically sensitive intervention, including controlled burns, to maintain or restore natural conditions in protected areas. The article highlights Leopold's enduring influence as a scientist, advisor, and educator, emphasizing his rare ability to balance ecological insight with actionable policy guidance. It also offers personal reflections on his character, celebrating his blend of intellectual rigor, humility, and...

The National Park Service in Law Reviews and Law Journals: An Update

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article serves as an annotated update to a 1982 bibliography detailing legal periodical literature relevant to the National Park Service (NPS). Compiled by Thomas W. Lucke, it highlights significant recent articles published in law reviews and journals that analyze evolving legal frameworks, policy debates, and administrative challenges facing national parks in the United States and Canada. Topics include preservation versus development, Clean Air Act implications for park visibility, the public trust doctrine, and the economic valuation of air quality in protected areas. The article functions as a practical resource for NPS managers and planners, offering both legal context and scholarly insight into issues shaping the governance and protection of national parklands. While emphasizing the importance of professional legal consultation, Lucke underscores the value of informed engagement with these publications for enhancing decision-making and policy implementation within...

Report on the International Working Conference on New Directions for Conservation of Parks, June 5–15, 1983

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The International Working Conference on New Directions for Conservation of Parks, held in West Germany from June 5–15, 1983, brought together conservation professionals from Europe and North America to explore evolving approaches to park management. Hosted at Luneburger Heide Nature Park and supported by Alfred Toepfer, the conference featured working sessions, field visits, and discussions covering diverse topics such as park administration, nature conservation, interpretation, volunteer engagement, and environmental values. Participants highlighted significant differences and similarities between U.S. and European park systems, particularly regarding land ownership, legal frameworks, and public involvement. Emphasis was placed on the need for education, research-based management, and moral commitment to conservation. Key issues included balancing use with preservation, using volunteers effectively, and addressing ethical and philosophical foundations of environmental protection....

Table of Contents, Vol. 3, No. 2

Thu, 5 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Table of Contents, Vol. 3, No. 2

Resource Information Tracking System (RITS)