The Value of Parks - Essay Example

Section/# The Value of Parks As society grows increasingly urban, they need and importance for protected areas as “parks” is drastically increased. Scholars have noted that due to the fact that increasing populations within major cities and industrial areas of concentrated people away from wildlife, natural areas, preserves, and conservation areas such as parks allow individuals the extraordinarily important opportunity to reengage and reconnect with the wildlife that is such an interval complement of the ecosystem; and ecosystem in which humans exist as well. For purposes of this brief essay, this student will discuss and analyze the case of Cleland wildlife Park; located in southern Australia and visited by this author and friends on May 20th, 2014. Comprising fully 10 square kilometres of land in near Adelaide Australia, this particular natural area houses nearly all of the indigenous and well known species of wildlife indigenous to this particular region of Australia (SouthAustralia, 2014). Furthermore, the following analysis will provide a joint discussion; concentric upon the experience that this student had at the wildlife park in question alongside a discussion and analysis of the importance and relevance that parks and natural areas such as this play within the broader economic, environmental, educational, and tourism/recreation goals that society has. It is the further hope of this particular student that through engaging in a broader understanding of these metrics, the reader can come to appreciate how integral parks such as Cleland are within the current society. Firstly, and perhaps most obviously, parks such as Cleland allow the wildlife within its borders to be protected from the dangers/hazards that might exist for them in an unprotected area. Although it is true that hunting and other such activities are heavily regulated within Australia, the danger posed by vehicles and human expansion into habitat and territory of this wildlife is something that natural areas of protect against. Furthermore, by designating a specific result in which wildlife can exist in its natural form, without the hazards of human interference, and beneficial sanctuaries created in which an unadulterated ecosystem can survive and thrive. Moreover, as the animals within the natural area are reduced from human dependence, the way in which they exhibit natural behaviors of interacting with their ecosystems maximized; once again promoting a more instinctual level of development that could otherwise exist in a situation in which such parks were not provided throughout the countryside. Another key benefit many individuals have pointed to is with regard to the fact that such parks and natural areas necessarily present the individual with the need for environmental conservation. As a function of the fact that visitors to the park are much more likely to see animals in their environments, especially as compared to what might be seen with more permanent work the region, and understanding the way in which human impact upon the requirements of humans, as the predator in the chain, to provide these sanctuaries is represented. Many scholars have argued that without natural areas existing throughout the countryside, individuals might be encouraged to assume that the wildlife that exists in and around them will merely take care of itself; without being level direct human intervention as a means of preserving or protecting these species. As was the case with my own visit, I became aware of the fact that interaction with the natural environment was something that I hardly even consider any more. As compared to generations before, the ability to go into nature and see species that previously inhabited thousands of square kilometers of Australian countryside was something unique. Sadly, the level of novelty that I viewed this situation with underscores the need that society has to continually to provide for the park system and promote a level of integration with it (Harmon & Putney, 2003). One of the most obvious elements of value that the park system provides to society is with respect to the overall “draw” that it exhibits to tourists. Although this is true all over the world, is specifically true with respect to Australia; due in no small part to the fact that Australia continues to exhibit some of the most pristine, unique, and unusual wildlife that exists anywhere in the world. Because of the fact that other regions do not have kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and a litany of other animals indigenous Australia, individuals from all over the globe flock to this continent as a means of seeing these specifies in their natural environment for themselves As can be readily understood, an overall measurement of the tourist attraction that Australia provides cannot accurately be denoted within a paper of this brevity. Analysts within the tourism and trade industry understand that the Australian economy benefits many billions of dollars each and every year as a direct result of the interest and intrigue that its natural environment has for tourists who frequent its shores. Another valuable aspect of the park system throughout Australia, inclusive of Cleland, is the fact that such enterprises within the park that to collect money remit a large portion of this to the continued development that exists in promoting the park and engaging new stakeholders in society to understand its importance. In such a way, commercial enterprises such as the gift shop, although adding greatly to the tourist attraction and facilitating a level of consumerism within the park, act as a primal motivator with respect to providing much-needed regional funding for the activities, repair, and services that park requires. Although it is true that federal funding provides for a large portion of the amount of money that such natural areas consumed each and every calendar year, additional funding streams, such as regional taxes and a remittance of money that is made on site allows for additional development and outreach that would not otherwise take place. Likewise, parks such as Cleland provide invaluable education experiences that could not be achieved within the classroom. For instance, an individual to visit any more than the usual Australia’s many and natural areas and/or arts find themselves surrounded at some point by a wrong of eager children; brought there by their school as a means of learning the value of these areas and seeking to instill a level of conservation within these mines. Interestingly, even though environmentalism and the consummation always been more complement of society, the presence of children at such sites as a fixture almost going society for nearly as long as these parks and natural areas have been existence. The reason for this probably has to do with the fact that educators and others within society tacitly understood fact that without integrating a level of appreciation with adolescent minds concerning the value of these natural resources and species, their presence within future generations could easily be diminished or nonexistent stop moreover, in addition to the benefit of allowing children the opportunity to see these species within their natural environments, these parks and natural areas also provide the increased educational opportunities of providing hands on learning; something that is simply not possible within the classroom (Environment.sa.gov.au, 2014). Ultimately, indicators and stakeholders within the government come to realize that a function of seeking to preserve the natural resources and wildlife all Australia, is absolutely integral to ensure that the younger generation becomes involved and interested in the way in which these species are exhibited throughout the continent (Nprsr.qld.gov.au, 2014). Finally, the educational power of these parks and that various are not only constrained to young children; as can be noted with the many types of signage that is evident throughout the park and attempts to educate our builders with respect to the way in which the natural environment operates, the types of human, behavior, territory, and mating habits that different animals engage in. Lastly, as the previous discussion has been concentric upon the ways in which individuals can learn from the natural environment, the final benefit that these parks and natural areas are able to provide is not contingent upon the degree of education, learning, or overall importance of conservation. Instead, parks and natural areas providing individuals with a valuable means of entertainment and recreation; such as are not bound elsewhere throughout society. As an increasingly urbanized population becomes further and further divorced from the countryside and the natural environment, the ability to go into nature and spend time and recreation is something that many individuals with forward to. Furthermore, due to the fact that cities are ever-expanding and these natural areas are oftentimes difficult to find in the immediate vicinity in which an individual lives, you’ll within society seek out these natural areas and bring their family and loved ones as a means of barbecuing, camping, and generally spending leisure time together. Whereas there are many forms of competition for entertainment within the city, for instance the years, concerts, plays, and a litany of other activities, there are very few substitutes for the actual recreation and leisure time that individual stand within such a natural area for wildlife refuge. Because of the fact that so you alternatives exist, the popularity of these regions has begun to grow exponentially with each passing year. Concerning my own time national Park, I spent a very pleasant time eating with friends, interacting with live virus, and even holding a koala. As has been discussed within the previous analysis, the natural areas, wildlife refuges, and parks that are exhibited throughout Australia provide a litany of different benefits and value to society. As such, during my own brief stay at Cleland, I was able to educate myself to a further degree concerning the natural environment and has/activities of the species that live there, spend quality time with friends, this is a gift shop and assists the overall amount of money that this particular entity is able to derive, and come to an overall road are level of appreciation concerning the importance of patronizing these natural areas and ensuring that I behave in my own personal life in a way that would benefit the species that I had come in contact with an understood the importance of during my time at the park. Ultimately, these parks serve a vital function within society; not just for me but for every member of Australian society and every individual tourist that chooses to visit them. By promoting the need for sustainment and the awe and respect for nature that is fundamental to ensuring the continued survival of nature, the value that these parks add is difficult to measure. Needless to say, it is the understanding of this particular author that further resources and importance should be placed on ensuring that these parks continue to function and engage with as many individuals as possible in the future. Bibliography Environment.sa.gov.au, (2014). Cleland Wildlife Park - Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR). [online] Available at: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/clelandwildlife/Home [Accessed 28 May. 2014]. Environment.sa.gov.au, (2014). People and parks - Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR). [online] Available at: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/managing-natural-resources/Park_management/people-and-parks [Accessed 28 May. 2014]. Harmon, D. and Putney, A. (2003). The full value of parks. 1st ed. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Nprsr.qld.gov.au, (2014). Park values (Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing). [online] Available at: http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/managing/principles/park_values.html [Accessed 28 May. 2014]. Southaustralia.com, (2014). Cleland Wildlife Park - South Australia. [online] Available at: http://www.southaustralia.com/info.aspx?id=9000965 [Accessed 28 May. 2014]. Read More