Does the appearance of this vehicle discourage some visitors to the National Park System?/MPD01605 via Wikimedia Commons
A group seeking to increase diversity of visitors in national parks is suggesting, among other things, that the National Park Service change the look of its uniforms and vehicles because they project a law enforcement image, "which presents a significant impediment to engaging all Americans."
That was one in a list of recommendations the group offered up in calling on President Obama "to issue an Executive Order to ensure the second century of conservation in America reflects the full diversity of our nation’s citizens; respects the historical, cultural and spiritual stories and unique contributions of all Americans; and actively engages all people."
“The face of America is rapidly changing; yet our public lands do not reflect this demographic and ethnic diversity. We have a moral responsibility to fix this disconnect now, for our children, for our grandchildren and for all those that came before us. We must head into the next 100 years with a strong commitment to a more inclusive approach to public lands that puts a priority on engaging all Americans and protecting cultural and natural landscapes that tell our country’s complex history,” said Dr. Carolyn Finney, author of Black Faces White Spaces and coalition participant.
More than two dozen organizations called for the Executive Order. Among them were The Dignitas Agency, VotoLatino, Valle del Sol, the Trail Posse, Rural Coalition, Faith Based Alliance, Soul River Inc.-Runs Wild, Environmental Learning for Kids, and The Colorado Lation Leadership, Advocacy, and Research Organization, Continental Trail Divide Coalition, the National Urban League, and the Children and Nature Network.
Among other recommendations were requests that the federal government:
* Leverage the National Park Foundation, National Forest Foundation, and other private partners to advertise the range of experiences already available in America's national parks and public lands -- everything from rugged backcountry activities to vacations with concierge services. Seek innovative ways to connect with culturally diverse communities and demonstrate how these places relate to their personal experiences and varied travel interests.
* Establish new outreach, interpretation and education positions inside land management agencies at all federal hiring grade levels, with diverse backgrounds, to start developing and implementing park interpretation and education innovations.
* Identify public or private partners who can train land management agency representatives to be aware of their interactions with those veterans who suffer from war-related trauma, as well as youth and newcomers to parks, to ensure public actions and events do not intentionally and negatively affect them.
* Identify strategies to partner with faith groups and local organizations to facilitate events and outreach efforts that leverage parks and other public lands as a forum for critical conversations and atonement -- allowing for community restoration and reconnection in a meaningful way.
"Conservation of America's public lands and waters, including our national parks, forests, monuments, wildlife refuges, National Conservation Lands, and recreational areas should be driven over the next 100 years by three guiding principles: 1) every child will have the opportunity to discover his or her own history and heritage; 2) federal land agencies will demonstrate engagement that is respectful and inclusive of different cultures via outreach, stewardship and interpretation; and, 3) a responsibility to actively engage all people," the group said in setting down its recommended policies and priorities.
"Our vision for a more inclusive approach to public lands conservation over the next 100 years includes a commitment to engaging all the segments of our country's population so they become active users and vital advocates in protecting our public lands and waters for the future," the group said.
“President Obama has shown great leadership on parks and public lands, but there is always more progress to be made. We challenge this President and the next one to embrace a vision for the next century of conservation that focuses on the importance of national parks and public lands for all Americans,” said Maite Arce, President/CEO of the Hispanic Access Foundation.
Comments
People already ignore the rules of the parks and seeing how there really isn't any punishment for breaking them, the only alternative is to have someone dressed like an officer that just might do something if you do break the rules. To remove that deterent will only lead to more destruction and disrespect of the natural environment i.e. wildlife petting selfies and carving your name in the stone...
As usual the PC crowd wants changes. Are they willing to pay for them? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Don't be fooled by this. It is an attempt to extend power and control. That is what they are all about. On one hand it is all about diversity. Then it is all about the group they ID with. Are we united or diverse. People may be in different races and gender groups. Diversity is NOT a strength. It serves to drive in a wedge between people. I say no to all of it. We are America. Be American or you are not welcome here. If you are not sure what that means read our history and study our culture.
There are children and adults in our wonderful country who have not eaten a meal today or are in need of medical care. I don't think they are concerned with the color of the park ranger vehicles or the appearance of the uniforms. Taxpayer dollars are a precious commodity and we must prioritize how and where that money is spent. I'm all for increasing the diversity of national park visitors, staff and donors. But in my opinion, wasting taxpayer dollars to change the color of cars and clothes is not high on the list of caring for our citizens.
The National Parks are small cities and need the visibility of those that are designated to help and protect within very busy areas and heave traffic conditions, wild animals, etc. I can't understand why anyone would feel threatened with this presence. If there are people that are threatened they should probably stay home.
It's incredible how far "political correctness" can go. Lack of diversity automatically triggers the response in some groups that their must be a problem. There is no problem and especially not because of National Park Ranger's dress or vehicles. Give me a break!!! I'd be willing to bet that more people have responded to this article here than have complained about the lack of diversity in National Parks. I have been to a number of National Parks and never noticed a lack of "diversity" and actually it's been quite the opposite. Please don't dumb down the Park Service for a non-issue.
Clearly all the commenters here are not minorities as their statements indicate their ignorance of the oppersion many minorities (especially blacks and hispanics) are under. Don't think for a second that we don't live in a police state, we absolutely do. It is structured to keep the poor and unruly in their places and out of the places where us privledged go, including national parks.
I don't think it's the vehicles and uniforms though that are keeping poor minorities away, I think it's the fact that the majority of the minorities the article is concerned with are poor. You don't take vacation to Yellowstone when you can barely get by and your car isn't going to make it past the state line.
Some of it is cultural too. I would be willing to bet you that if you offered a free vacation to a struggling poor family (minority or otherwise) to either Disney World or Yellowstone, they would pick Disney almost 100% of the time. It's the perception that is what 'rich' people do and culturely that's what a poor family is going to do for vacation given the chance, even to the point of borrowing money to do so. Pretentios people go to national parks, and why would you want to emulate that. That is probably the bigger problem in getting minorities into the parks.
Disclosure: I am not a minority or poor and don't pretend to fully understand what they might be going through or perceiving. I do try to be sympathetic though. I am also planning on a 6 park tour this summer for my family for what it's worth.
I disagree. I believe there is a diversity problem in the park service, and I value diversity. I also believe serving the public trust means the park service needs to be relevant to a representative cross section of its citizenry.
I've personally met some commissioned law enforcement Rangers that I'm not sure should be commissioned. I read the newspaper article on the ranger who held a loaded shotgun on a senior citizen at Yukon-Charlie in a situation where his actions appeared to me to be reckless and unnecessary based on his own description of the circumstances.
I don't know the answer to the diversity issue but I believe it is as relevant as wi-if or hydration stations as it also directly relates to the very purpose of the park service. Just my opinion.
Perhaps to lure more diverse audiences, we need to do a better job of explaining to all why the National Park System is a collection of exemplary places, rather than trying to mold the parks in such a way to suit a particular visitor.