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
Politicians come and go and are accountable to the public. Bureaucrats stay for decades and are accounting to virtually noone. Expect for the few political appointments at the top, these people are totally unaccountable and can't be fired. They are the fourth branch of government (not one established by the Constitution) and have far too great an impact (mostly negative) on our daily lives.
"and have far too great an impact (mostly negative) on our daily lives." Thanks, ec, for your continuing support of civil service employees.
Nice try Rich, the bureaucrats I am refering to are not the every day civil service employess, ie NPS Ranger, policeman, fireman, etc but the bureaucrats sitting behind their desks making up onerous and baseless rules and regs to push their agendas.
You must be kidding---I certainly hope those groups have more important things to deal with. The rangers and personnel are clearly identified and unless one has a guilty conscious, can be approached for help or assistance at any time. A variety of uniforms will not provide consistent identification of the "Good Guys".
I just completed an annual fire refresher training course in a major iconic park. Park personnel from all disciplines were in attendance. Every time I am involved in these sessions, it just renews my faith in the competence, fitness, demeanor of the vast majority of NPS personnel and the job they do. This is an interesting discussion and I do think we need to address citizen group concerns, certainly there are communities were relationships between law enforcement personnel and residents leave much room for improvement. A complex issue. But bottom line, I am with Ray Bane, many citizens are unaware of just how difficult it is buck the appointees of any administration let alone the congress person from the district the NPS area is located in. There are many more good employees than bad. Actually, at least in my experience in the NPS, both with superiors and subordinates, there were only a few occasions were firing someone was necessary. If it does comes to dismissal, process must be followed, but it is not that difficult if you have just cause, The NPS is a highly motivated organization, usually things work out. As Ray Bane points out however, at the highest levels it becomes quite political, all of the senior NPS positions including the major Park Superintendents, are in the SES series, 24 hour transfer notification, period, no process necessary. It is not an easy path for these managers, my hat is off to many of them.
Well I didn't see the "Hispanic Access Foundation" listed among those groups seeking this "Executive Action" from the President. Their complaint is....'
Hispanics are "threatened" by the color of National Park Ranger attire which bears resemblance to uniforms worn by US Border Patrol agents, a coalition of Latino activists and civil rights groups argued last week. ....
I live in a border state and I can positively tell you that the only "Hispanic" people concerned about this, is the ones that break the law and come to this country ILLEGALLY.
The day that we let people who come to this country ILLEGALLY dictate what should and shouldn't be.....is the day that the United States of America will no longer exist.
Here are some of the requests from the "Hispanic Acess Foundation".....
Assess the cultural implications of existing agency uniforms, offices, signage, and other facilities. For example, the Park Service law-enforcement vehicles look like those used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and uniforms have law enforcement connotations, both of which present a significant impediment to engaging all Americans.
Support permanent and full federal funding for the Historic Preservation Fund to enable federal land management agencies to work with partners and local communities to assess our existing system of national parks and other public lands and waters for missing or incomplete storytelling. Efforts should focus on identifying aspects of the American story that are absent or are inadequately or inaccurately addressed so that the system reflects the broader, more complex stories of our collective heritage as a nation of many cultures and experiences.
Review names of sites throughout system for cultural bias. Some sites may require comprehensive name changes to reflect a broader and more inclusive history.
The "Hispanic Acess Foundation" has a nine page list of demands that they want the President to pass with "executive order"....you might want to read the document, very eye opening.
Eight National Park Service , Park Rangers have been shot and killed in the line of duty. Two in recent years at Mount Rainier 2012 and one at Organ Pipe 2002 . If your afraid of the uniform then you probably are up to no good.