A Reddit Post Sparked the Backlash
A user on Reddit posted on the subreddit r/mildlyinfuriating, sharing an image of a group of people who had gone off the trail, clearly ignoring all the warning signs in the process.
Source: r/mildlyinfuriating/Reddit
The sign clarifies that visitors should stay on the trail to protect themselves and the park’s soil. However, this group believed that the sign didn’t apply to them.
Biological Soil Crust
The soil at Arches National Park is a biological soil crust. This is a living ecosystem of lichen, mosses, algae, fungi and bacteria that helps prevent erosion, hold and retain water, and protect plant life.
Source: USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Wikimedia Commons
A single footprint in the wrong place can kill the soil, and the process of regrowing and strengthening it takes around 50 years. The signs were put up to prevent this.
The Soil Has Been Destroyed
In response to the post, Park Rangers told other users that areas of the soil have been destroyed by visitors going off the trails thinking it doesn’t matter or apply to them.
Source: Unknown Author/Wikimedia Commons
Others believe that more awareness needs to be made on the importance of the soil and what can happen to them if they stray from the path.
Going Off Trail Is Risky
While some might want to go off trail to experience more of the natural beauty the national park has to offer, or simply just because they don’t think anything bad will happen by doing so, they are wrong.
Source: Intricate Explorer/Unsplash
Going off trail can put you at risk of injury or death, especially if you get too close to animals or dangerous areas. It can also harm the animals by destroying their habitat and food source.
Misusing National Parks
There have been various reports of people misusing national parks, which in some cases has been for illegal purposes. One incident involved residents in New South Wales clearing Koonyum Range National Park so they could build their own structure.
Source: John Tann/Wikimedia Commons
The Australian court system acted swiftly in this matter, fining the person who had done this. Even more shocking is that acres of trees and native vegetation had been removed, all with no real purpose or need.
Visitors Ignore Signs for Photo Opportunities
Reports from other parks show that visitors have ignored signs just because they want to get a photo for social media. This happened at Canyonlands National Park in Utah, where a woman was posing for pictures on top of a protected arch.
Source: Dann Petty/Unsplash
A video of the incident was shared to social media, with the camera then panning to a sign that stated people need to keep off the arch. Clearly, this person didn’t think the rules applied to them.
National Parks Have Received Backlash
It’s not just people who have been visiting national parks that have been facing backlash, as some of the national parks themselves have also been on the receiving end of criticism.
Source: Cecilie Bomstad/Unsplash
The National Park Service (NPS) had a ban that prevented employees from attending Pride events in their official uniform. Since the backlash, this ban has been lifted.
Easy to Follow the Rules
The rules at national parks worldwide are easy to follow. All people need to do is pay close attention to the signs, and if they’re not sure if something is allowed, then don’t do it.
Source: Ken Cheung/Unsplash
It’s also important that people are prepared for the sun, heat and rocky terrain by wearing sunblock, staying out of direct sunlight on particularly warm days, drinking plenty of water, and wearing appropriate footwear.
U.S. Flag Banned From Alaska National Park
Another controversial moment for national parks came from Alaska, where its Denali National Park was at the center of controversy due to the U.S. flag being removed at the same time as Memorial Day.
Source: Cristina Glebova/Unsplash
Construction workers had been working at the park. The U.S. flag was attached to the vehicles, flapping in the wind when moving. One person complained about the noise, so park officials asked the workers to remove the flag for the time being.
National Parks Are Vital for Ecosystems
National parks are vital for ensuring ecosystems remain healthy, living and thriving. They ensure that landscapes are maintained that cleanse the water and air, protect wildlife, and provide the public with a safe and affordable way to enjoy nature.
Source: Moriah Wolfe/Unsplash
Staying on the trails, whether requested or not, is essential because it helps to protect these ecosystems and makes parks more enjoyable places for future generations.
National Parks Need to Be Looked After
National parks have been around for centuries and need to be well-looked after. They are all natural beauty spots that thousands of visitors enjoy going to every year, so they need to be protected.
Source: NOAA/Unsplash
If this does not happen, people can say goodbye to being able to go out for a walk or picnic in nature, as well as having significant impacts on local wildlife and ecosystems. In a time when people are worried about climate change, it is now more important than ever to protect these national parks, if not for us, then for the planet’s sake.