National Parks: Our Premier Natural Places

Forest and Bird, Volume 18, Issue 3, 1 August 1987, Unnumbered Page

National Parks: Our Premier Natural Places

Dr

President

Alan Mark,

National Parks are special places. As we enter the National Parks Centennial year, it is timely to be reminded of just why our national parks exist. A recent survey by Conservation Department scientist Kay Booth reveals that most people regard the principal purpose of national parks as being preservation of the natural environment, with recreation placed second. Park staff are seen first and foremost as being guardians of this environment, not there primarily to assist the public. Such a reminder is timely because of the ‘‘Parks for People’ motto adopted for the Centennial and the pressures placed upon national parks which increasingly threaten the ‘‘parks for preservation’’ ethic. The pressures are numerous: understaffing; a possible return to the disastrous deer and possum levels of the 1940s and 50s; insensitive tourism developments; under-funding for park management; and a danger that we will lose public caretakers and watchdogs such as the National Parks and Reserves Authority which ensure that our parks retain their integrity. The user-pay approach necessary in the light of Treasury's demands that DoC retrieve 15 percent of its income by 1990 may be appropriate up to a point. I believe that services such as accommodation, parking and interpretation programmes should be paid for, but entrance fees to national parks must never be charged. Importantly, any income gained from these services should be re-in-vested in the park where it was originally obtained. Surveys have shown that such re-investment minimises consumer resistance. It is also important to me that we do not accept the philosophy of ‘‘who pays, says’’ in other words, if you are a national park user, you should have the main say over how the money you spend there is used. In fact the full spectrum of the interested public should have a say, even if some of them never enter a national park. This is what management planning provides for. At another level parks face an uncertain future. There are those within officialdom who would prefer to play down the special significance of national parks within our protected natural areas system and instead see them merely as part of the spectrum that makes up all our public lands. This concept is unacceptable. The public trust and respect the concept of national parks. They identify them as being pre-emi-nent and unique in terms of protection and standards. How often do we hear people refer to the ‘‘sacredness of our national parks?’ The Centennial will provide us with an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the national park concept. I hope you will support the Centennial Commission in its endeavours to reach nontraditional park users such as the handicapped, the elderly and the less wealthy. The role of our Society in encouraging and assisting these people not only see but also gain a better appreciation of national parks will be vital. I call on each and every one of you to play a part.

Contributors to Forest & Bird may express their opinions on contentious issues. Those opinions are not necessarily the prevailing opinion of the Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society.