AY Honor National Parks and Heritage Sites Answer Key

National Parks and Heritage Sites

Skill Level

1

Year

2021

Version

19.04.2024

Approval authority

North American Division

1

Describe the following:

1a

National Park

A national park is a site or area that a national government has set aside with protection from development, changing, or specific types of use, because the land or area is considered special or valuable due to the scenery, history, or scientific importance. In the United States, the National Park Service Act of 1916 set up the National Parks System to establish and maintain national parks, monuments, and other places of significant national importance.

1b

UNESCO World Heritage Site

UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It was founded on November 16, 1945, and part of its mission is to preserve and maintain sites worldwide that are significant to, you guessed it, education, science, and culture! In contrast to the national parks systems set up by a single nation, the UNESCO organization oversees sites that have global significance, regardless of the site's location.

It is important to note that a specific site can be a national park or historic site as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. For example, the United State's Mesa Verde National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as the United State's Statue of Liberty, Independence Hall, and Papahānaumokuākea National Monument.

2

Complete a or b:

2a

Learn the history of national parks/monuments (or their equivalent) by discovering the following:

i

In what country were national parks established?

Although the concept of national parks had been around for several hundred years already, the United States was the first to take major steps to create a system for the creation, preservation, and management of national parks and historic sites.

ii

Name some of the individuals who began the process of establishing the first national parks.

There were hundreds, if not thousands of individuals who contributed to the establishment and protection of national parks, but several of note include individuals like Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Theodore Rosevelt, geologist Ferdinand V. Hayden, photographer William Henry Jackson, painter Thomas Moran, and naturalist John Muir.

iii

What were the reasons for establishing these nationally protected areas?

The purpose of protecting areas of natural significance allowed the government to preserve and police it while still allowing it to be used for public enjoyment. There were fears that areas of national importance, especially areas of unique natural formations and scenery would be damaged or destroyed, or that these areas could be purchased by private property owners who might keep the rest of the public from enjoying the unique nature that the country had to offer. By reserving these areas, not only were these people protecting the land for future enjoyment, but they were preventing it from being sold to someone who might not allow others to enjoy the land.

iv

What is the closest nationally protected system site to your location?

If you live in the United States, you can easily find national parks or historic sites near you by going to the National Park Service's website (https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm). For those in Canada, you can visit the Parks Canada website (https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/recherche-tous-parks-all). For those living outside the United States or Canada, visit the website of the organization that oversees your country's national parks and historic sites.

2b

Learn the history of UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

i

When did the UN begin establishing World Heritage Sites?

The process of establishing the first UNESCO World Heritage sites began in 1972, but the first UNESCO sites were officially designated in September of 1978.

ii

What was their reason for designating these sites?

The purpose of the creation of UNESCO sites was conservation of places that had significance to world history, science, culture, and education. The official statement said that creating these sites would help to preserve "the achievements of our time, the values of the past and the beauty of nature.”

iii

What were some of the first sites designated as World Heritage Sites?

Twelve sites were included in the original selection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including:

• Aachen Cathedral (Germany)
• City of Quito (Ecuador)
• Cracow’s Historic Centre (Poland)
• Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)
• Island of Goree (Senegal)
• L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Park (Canada)
• Mesa Verde National Park (United States)
• Nahanni National Park (Canada)
• Rock Hewn Churches (Lalibela, Ethiopia)
• Simien National Park (Ethiopia)
• Wieliczka – salt mine (Poland)
• Yellowstone National Park (United States)

iv

What is the closest UNESCO World Heritage Site to your location?

To find a UNESCO World Heritage Site near you, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site webpage (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/).

3

Besides national parks, what other types of historic, cultural, and natural areas are protected in your country, if any? What are they called? Name three of these sites and their significance.

4

Discover the difference between a regional/state park and a national park in your country (if any). Who is responsible for taking care of these lands?

5

Display your discoveries while learning about this honor visually and creatively. Images and text should both be used. Creative projects could include:

5a

A photo collage (digitally or in print)

5b

A tri-fold or poster informational display

5c

An informational video (may be done in combination with a slideshow)

5d

A documentary “onsite” one of your favorite National or World Heritage Sites

5e

A board or digital “trivia” game using facts learned.

5f

Another project approved by your instructor.

6

Prepare an object lesson (include at least one visual hands-on object) about the value God places in His creation and how He wants us to care for His creation. Share this lesson in a group setting, such as a club/unit worship, children’s story in church, campfire, or vespers. Use these texts or others:

6a

Genesis 1:26-28 & Genesis 2:15

6b

Psalm 24:1

6c

Psalm 95:5

6d

Jeremiah 2:7

7

Complete three of the following:

7a

Complete a Junior Ranger/Parks Canada Xplorers program (or their equivalent) at a national park, monument, historic site, or other equivalency and discuss what you learned with your group.

7b

Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site or National Park System site and document your visit with a photo scrapbook (digital or print).

7c

Draw or paint a picture about something you had fun learning about while studying national park system sites and/or world heritage sites.

7d

Hike a trail while visiting a national park or World Heritage site. Document three things you see, three things you hear, and at least one smell you experienced.

7e

Pick a national park system site or World Heritage site and document or display:

i

When did it become a National Park, Monument, Seashore, heritage site, etc.?

ii

Where is it located?

iii

What is it known for?

iv

What interested you most about the site?

7f

Present, write about, or make a short video about a current national park conservation project.

7g

Watch a video of a minimum of 15 minutes about national parks and summarize what you saw.

7h

Begin a national park passport booklet and collect five stamps from national parks or national park areas.

References