AY Honor National Parks and Heritage Sites - Advanced Answer Key
Skill Level
2
Year
2021
Version
10.06.2024
Approval authority
North American Division
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2a
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There are four major territories (the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and Micronesia), as well as several territories of other nations, in the North American Division, most of which have their own method of classifying national parks and heritage sites. The country's national park system that you choose will be different from the other countries in the NAD, so the answers to the questions later in the honor will vary depending on your choice. You can find information on the United State's National Park Service on their website here, and information on Canada's national park system Parks Canada here.
ii
In the United States, the process to create a new national park can be complicated. While the President of the United States can create a new national monument on government-owned land, it takes an act of Congress to create a new national park. First, someone needs to submit a proposal for the new park. The proposal is then evaluated to see if the proposed park would have national significance, and if it would even be reasonable to try to create the park. Then, once the proposal to create the park is approved, committees start to work to get the logistics of creating the new park in line, such as checking into who owns the land, the best routes to get to the new site, costs of land management, and more. The proposal is then submitted to Congress, which refines and edits the plan, then approves or vetoes the plan. If the plan is approved, an act of Congress is issued formally designating and protecting the new national park.
This process is similar to the one followed in the creation of new Canadian national parks. The process is posted explained well on the Parks Canada webpage, which you can find here
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In the United States, the national parks system is run and operated by the National Parks Service, though they have help from the National Forest Service and other agencies. Parks Canada is responsible for the management and maintenance of Canadian national parks.
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There are currently 38 National Parks in Canada, with an additional 10 National Park Reserves, and one National Urban Park. However, according to Parks Canada, there are nearly 1,000 national historic sites across Canada. The United States has 63 National Parks, included in the total of 423 sites (as of November, 2021) including national parks, historic sites, monuments, and all the other designations used by the National Parks System. The number changes fairly regularly.
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The most recent Canada Parks addition was the Thaidene Nëné Reserve (established August 21, 2019). The most recent United States National Parks System addition was the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (established December 27, 2020).
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2b
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Be creative in your presentation of what you saw and learned during your visits. Consider using videos, slideshows, displays, or other creative means to share your experience.
3a
What would be the use of studying a national park or heritage site without actually visiting a few? This is a chance for you to apply the knowledge you've learned in this honor in a real way! Consider researching the site before your visit so you can understand the features of the site even better while you are there!
3b
A natural site is a site that was created to protect a specific natural landform or phenomenon. For example, Yellowstone National Park and Arches National Park in the United States, and Jasper National Park in Canada all protect naturally-occurring landforms or phenomena that could be damaged if left unprotected. On the other hand, Kejimkujik National Park in Canada and Mesa Verde National Park in the United States both protect ancient petroglyphs and dwellings important in the study of the cultures of ancient civilizations. In contrast, historic sites such as Chimney Rock, the homes of many founding fathers, and many of the attractions along Pennsylvania Avenue in the Capitol of the United States serve to commemorate a specific time, event, or person in the history of the nation. Finally, mixed-use parks, such as Banff National Park in Canada and Grand Canyon National Park in the United States serve both as a means of protecting a valuable landscape or landform, but also to give recreation opportunities!
3c
The visitor center may have brochures, displays, or stuff who are usually more than happy to tell you about the history of their site and answer any other questions you might have.
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When was the idea to preserve the park created? When was it officially protected by law?
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Were there any specific people who were instrumental in the creation of the park or heritage center? What about organizations? How did these make a difference in the preservation of the site?
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What was the goal or goals in creating the site? Was it to be a memorial to certain people or events? To protect an area of unique natural landforms? What about to create recreation areas?
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Most parks in the United States are measured in either acres or square miles. In Canada, this would typically be measured in square kilometers. What can you compare the size of the park to if you were going to describe it to someone? Would it be the size of your city or county? Maybe half the size of a specific province or state?
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3d
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Do any of their duties involve directly working to maintain the park or heritage site? What about raising awareness? Are there any duties that the employee considers the most important?
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What makes the duties that the employee enjoys most so enjoyable? What makes their least favorite duties distasteful? Which duties are the most difficult?
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Are there any features that are unique about the park that require special protection? What would happen to the park if the features were not carefully maintained and preserved?
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Getting involved in the protection and preservation of our world is the entire purpose of this honor. There may even be some projects that you and your group can work on while you are there visiting the park or heritage site!