Lesson Plan: Endangered national parks

Objectives:

• Students will research the environmental, historical and cultural significance of U.S. national parks.
• Students will identify how and why tourism and development are jeopardizing U.S. national parks.

Standards:

National Geography Standards (Grades 9-12):

• Standard 3: How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on earth's surface
• Standard 4: The physical and human characteristics of places
• Standard 6: How culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions
• Standard 8: The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on earth's surface
• Standard 14: How human actions modify the physical environment

Materials:

CNNfyi article: Endangered national parks
Paper and pens
Internet access
U.S. map

Suggested Time:

Two 45-minute classroom periods for each activity

Procedures

1. Direct students to read/view the CNNfyi story on endangered national parks.

2. By way of review, discuss the following questions:

• According to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), which are the top 10 endangered U.S. parks? Why are these parks endangered?
• Have you ever visited a U.S. national park? If so, describe your experience. What did you learn about the area's historical, cultural, or environmental significance? Did your visit enhance your appreciation of the environment? Explain. How would you feel if the national parks were ruined by development, tourism or logging?

Assessment (use one or both of the activities):

1. Divide your class into 10 groups. Refer each group back to the article to select one of the endangered parks from the NPCA's list. Direct each group to prepare a presentation about the park, indicating its location, size, features and attractions. Ask students to identify the land's ecosystem, why this land was chosen to be a national park, why it is endangered, and what, if anything, is being done to preserve the park. Following each presentation, have students discuss whether additional measures should be taken to protect the park. Have students consider the benefits and drawbacks of limiting tourism and development.

2. The National Park System comprises 378 areas covering more than 83.3 million acres in every state (except Delaware), the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Direct each student to select a state and write a report about the environmental, historical and cultural significance of one of the state's national parks. Have students identify the national parks on a map of the U.S. and share their papers. Then facilitate a discussion about whether or not the U.S. national parks are a vital resource, worthy of preservation.