Why national parks need to be preserved, how they reflect "America at her best," and how parks benefit kids were the themes expressed by the winners of the Traveler's first Take Your Family to the National Parks essay contest.
The contest, intended to get America's youth to think more about the value of our national parks and the roles they play for society, drew entries from throughout the country.
Elementary students age 8-11 were asked to explain, "Why are national parks good for kids?" Middle school students in the 12-15 age bracket were asked to address this question: "If you were to write President Obama telling him why the National Parks should be saved, what would you say and why?" High school students in the 16-18 age bracket were to voice their opinions on, "What are the greatest threats to our national parks, and how can they be countered?"
In all age groups the essayists wrote about the meaningful, and impressionable, roles the national parks play in their lives. They described the national parks as representing a "legacy of history and beauty," touched on how they can offer "a solution to the health concerns we face today," described the many threats to the parks, and explained how national park settings can offer not just incredible outdoor experiences you can hold onto for life, but also introduce you to new friends.
National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, who selected the winners and runners-up in each category, applauded the students' efforts.
“All of these young writers impressed me with the obvious thought and effort that went into their essays. Their enthusiasm for the national parks and understanding of the issues faced by the parks reflect a genuine connection with these amazing places that are the birthright of all Americans," said Director Jarvis. "With these young people as the future stewards of their national parks, our second century of conservation will be truly bright.”
In his essay in the high school division, R.J. Huber, 17, of Cincinnati, Ohio, cited threats he sees to the National Park System and proposed solutions to counter them. Here's a key section of his essay:
The biggest threat to the National Park system is the public. Overuse of a park stresses its infrastructure and ecosystems possibly causing permanent damage. Underuse of a park stresses the park's financial foundation. It puts programs at risk, forcing tough decisions on access, staffing, and offering of services.
Without the support and interest of the public, one third of the park system's mission is unattainable and the other two thirds are at risk because it is the public that funds the agency.
How do we increase public interest in the parks? How do we get more people to use services and visit parks? There are four main areas of interest, travel, education, media and new media.
In the 12-15 age bracket, Spencer Sablan, of Las Vegas, Nevada, took up the challenge of writing President Obama to urge him to preserve the National Park System for all it offers visitors.
There is no way anyone can match the beauty of the mountains, deserts, or the plains, with the tremendous smell and feel of nature at your footsteps. Every generation needs to experience the greatness of our nation's National Parks, from the gorgeous Redwoods to Death Valley to the Painted Desert to the Rocky Mountains--this is what America is all about.
As our President, you are our leader and the keyholder to the most renowned real estate in the world--our National Parks.
In addressing the value of national parks to kids, 11-year-old Marion Watson, of Petoskey, Michigan, not only drew colorful imagery with her essay, but also wrote it on paper she decorated with colorful birds, flowers and fish.
Trees, stately giants beyond imagination. Rocks, boulders, and majestic mountains; timeless, living tapestries of light, shadow, and color. Streams, rivers, lakes, waterfalls; shimmering serenity, purity, and excitement. Endless, flowing plains; pathways to the sky. Flowers, leaves, needles, grasses, mosses; a kaleidoscope carpet. A billion billion snow diamonds, softer than baby feathers. Heavenly air; purified and sweetened by the birth, life, and death of beauty. ... Where can you experience, these, and countless other miracles of nature? America's national parks.
For their winning essays, these three students will receive:
* The choice of a three-night stay for four members of their family from a range of lodgings in Badlands National Park, Big Bend National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Death Valley National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Isle Royale National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Mammoth Cave National Park, Olympic National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Shenandoah National Park, and Zion National Park.
* A daypack courtesy of Osprey Packs
* Hiking shoes courtesy of KEEN Footwear
* Socks from Teko socks.
* Water bottles courtesy of Cascade Designs
* Annual park passes good for one year courtesy of National Parks Conservation Association and the Traveler.
Runners-up in the three divisions were:
* Stephanie Sjaardema, 16, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who wrote that one needs to visit the parks to best understand them and why they need protection. She has visited nearly 180 units of the National Park System.
* Colorado Herbst, 13, of Hackettstown, New Jersey, who would tell President Obama that the national parks need to be preserved because many units recount our nation's history and conserve nature.
* Grant Forbrig, 9, of Petoskey, Michigan, wrote of the fun activities he's enjoyed in national parks, such as hiking and boating, and how the parks "show children that their world has amazing things."
Runners-up in each age bracket will receive:
* A DVD of Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan's The National Parks: America's Best Idea courtesy of National Parks Conservation Association
* Autographed copy of photographer Ian Shive's book, The National Park's, Our American Landscape
* Collection of national park maps from National Geographic Maps.
The winning essays are presented in their entirety on the Traveler today.
We would like to thank all those who made this year's contest possible and so successful:
* ARAMARK Parks & Destinations
* Coalition of National Park Service Retirees
Comments
Warmest congratulations Marion. You earned this.
I had the privilege of reading all the essays. It was inspiring to read them without being subjected to the shrillness that characterizes lots of debates about environmental issues these days. Congratulations to all who entered; I'm proud of your work.
Rick