Yellstone National Park…Do we really understand how important it is to our environment? By Julie Peller Ph.D.

Green Junction

Yellowstone National Park, the preservation of 3,400 square miles of land in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, was the first national park in the United States, established in 1872. According to the National Park Service’s website, the US now boasts more than 400 parks of preserved land. In 2023, over 325.5 million people visited the national parks. “The National Park System provides significant benefits to park visitors and the broader American public – unparalleled recreation opportunities, clean air and water, carbon sequestration, and the preservation of natural and cultural resources for future generations.”

The economic value of the parks was evaluated by a team of researchers from Colorado State University and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. The overall assessment was that the parks generate economic and environmental value in numerous ways. “The $92 billion valuation of the national parks” compared to “total congressional appropriations of $2.85 billion in FY2016.” ($3.475 billion in FY2023) According to Jim Sano of the World Wildlife Fund, “Generally speaking, national parks serve as anchors for larger ecosystems (including wildlife corridors), protect ecological biodiversity, preserve landscapes, and provide economic support for natural and cultural resources through things like tourism.”

On February 19th, the AP News reported the firing of 1000 NPS workers without explanation, and on March 10th, the federal administration announced plans to eliminate more positions. On March 13^th, many of these workers were reinstated according to a US judge’s orders. The parks need workers to ensure visitors navigate the areas appropriately, protect and restore the land and its structures, and study the ecosystems, among many other requirements and jobs. Still, the parks often seek volunteers to assist with programs, such as the removal of invasive species.

One way to counter the new attacks on environmental protections and critical federal positions, according to Rev. Lindsey Joyce, “Churches that engage in organizing can be particularly transformational, as members work with those outside the doors of the church to advocate for justice.” People of faith can mobilize to benefit our natural resources, our Common Home, as part of service to one another, “work to build connections, not just between individuals, but between organizations.” (Sojourners, Wesley Granberg-Michaelson)

Julie Peller, Ph.D., is an environmental chemist (Professor of Chemistry at Valparaiso University). She has been writing a weekly column called The Green Junction for the past seven years and is helping to move the call of Laudato Si to action forward. Her Research Interests are advanced oxidation for aqueous solutions, water quality analyses, emerging contaminants, air quality analyses, Lake Michigan shoreline challenges (Cladophora, water, and sediment contaminants), and student and citizen participation in environmental work.