Re: National Parks Second Century Commission

I envision fusion-powered anti-gravity hovering tour buses and escalators replace the cables and the four-mile trail.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/24/2009 04:18PM by Vince.

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Vince
I envision fusion-powered anti-gravity hovering tour buses and escalators replace the cables and the four-mile trail.

Then you probably should read the report.

Nah, too busy envisioning

Date: Sept 24, 2009
Contact: Hugh Vickery (202) 208-6416
Salazar Welcomes Second Century Commission
Report on Future of National Park System

WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today commended the members of the National Parks Second Century Commission for their report on the future of the National Park System, which includes a wide range of recommendations for enhancing all aspects of our national parks.

“I applaud the commission for leaving no stone unturned in seeking ways to enhance our National Park System so that we might better honor our nation’s beauty, history and culture, conserve our treasured landscapes and their wildlife, and both inform and inspire the American people,” Salazar said. “The report provides a foundation upon which to build an even brighter future for our already outstanding national parks.”

The National Parks Conservation Association convened the commission, chaired by former U.S. Senators Howard Baker and J. Bennett Johnston, to produce a comprehensive report on the park system as it nears its 100th anniversary in 2016 and begins a second century.

The commission consists of nearly 30 national leaders, experts and thinkers drawn from a broad range of backgrounds, including scientists, historians, conservationists, academics, business leaders, policy experts, and retired National Park Service officials.

In its report, entitled “Advancing the National Park Idea,” the panel said that the National Park System is at a crossroads, facing challenges such as urgent environmental problems, a burgeoning population and critical needs in education. It called for a new vision recognizing the interrelationships between human beings and the natural world and the need for a sustainable relationship between people and the planet.

The report also included recommendations to strengthen the educational role of the National Park System, including new partnerships with the formal education community.

“National parks are no longer just far away places where people go to visit,” Salazar said. “We now have nearly 400 national parks, many of them in or near cities. We have a major role in supporting local communities and especially in fueling a passion our young people for our natural and historical heritage that will help them build a better future for our country.”

The commission’s report is available on line at http://www.doi.gov/documents/Second_Century_Commission_Report.pdf

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eeek
In 2008, NPCA convened an independent commission charged with developing a twenty-first century vision for the National Park Service, and for the magnificent collection of unique places it holds in trust for the American people. The National Parks Second Century Commission consisted of a diverse group of nearly 30 national leaders and experts with a broad range of experience, including scientists, historians, conservationists, academics, business leaders, policy experts, and retired National Park Service executives. It met five times, and heard from conservation and preservation experts, teachers, volunteers, and a range of park advocates and stakeholders. At three additional public meetings, Commissioners solicited ideas and priorities from concerned citizens.

http://www.npca.org/commission/

Just scanned over some of the sections; I really like what I see. Thanks, Eeek