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.
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Comments
Brilliant Kurt. Plus an understanding of the history and culture of the NPS as a collection of parks before dismantling they way they work before pointing a finger, would allow for an open dialogue to growth in improving accessibility to parks in many ways, not just by removing a uniform.
Without ignoring the notion that NPS uniforms might benefit from an update without the foundations of conservation dissolving....
Perhaps NP's should be a place where people who have endured poor or terrible behavior by people in authority can learn:
1. it need not be that way.
2. They deserve and should demand better.
3. Respect given will be returned multiplied many times.
4. Rangers are pretty cool people. Even when you've made a mistake.