Scott and Grant Marcum, age 11, of Santa Maria, Calif., for their question:
HOW DID NATIONAL PARKS START?
Wherever man has lived he has changed the face of the earth. Let's face it, it's hard to build a house or a road without first clearing away the trees, shrubs and other greenery in the way.. In the early days of our country there were far fewer people and so much land that not too much thought was given about the changes taking place. Thank goodness for a few farsighted people who sought to save the more beauteous spots for future generations to enjoy.
The idea of national parks began in 1864 when the U.S. Congress granted the Yosemite Valley to the state of California with the condition that it be held in trust for public use and recreation for all time. Yosemite was chosen because of its great and beautiful groves of redwood trees and other scenic wonders.
Most Californians are familiar with Yosemite and many regard it as one of the greatest national parks in the United States. When it was first created, however, it was not called a national park. This honor goes to Yellowstone, located mainly in Wyoming, with overlaps in Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone was established in 1872 and became the first national park in the world. It was the intent of the Congress that areas of great natural beauty should be set aside for all time so that their wondrous beauty would provide pleasure for countless future generations.
At the present time there are 33 national parks in the United States. They cover an area of about 14 million square miles and each has its own special kind of magical beauty. The parks are supervised by the National Park Service which is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
A park superintendent and a force of park rangers supervise the various parks. Together with naturalists, foresters, biologists, geologists and other park employees, they do their best to make sure that the more than 22 million yearly visitors enjoy themselves. The rangers are also on hand to assist in times of emergency or to help visitors in any way they can.
The United States was the first country to establish national parks. In a little less than 100 years most other countries have followed suit, using the park system of the United States as a model. Almost half a million square miles around the world have been established for the preservation of wildlife, natural vegetation and other natural wonders.