This blog will start off by highlighting one of my favorite places- Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the world! This place is a true wonder of nature and has inspired people for generations now. Since it was first established in 1872, Yellowstone has shared it's beauty and wonder with millions of Americans and citizens of the world. Today, the area surrounding Yellowstone National Park, known as the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), creates a $1 billion nature-based tourism economy. That fact alone is amazing to me. With so many natural landscapes being developed and/or destroyed, preserving and protecting areas of natural, historic, or cultural importance is of the utmost importance. As extraction companies still want a piece of the riches beneath the earth in the GYE, the $1 billion nature-based economy provides a solid argument for safeguarding the natural riches that abound here.
Although Yellowstone protects 2.2 million acres of pristine wilderness, controversy and political debate rage over issues of entrance fees, access to land, wildlife management, land development, and recreational uses. This blog will highlight these issues more in depth and hopefully inspire you to come experience the magic of the GYE yourself! This place can truly impact you in ways you will ever forget.
Family photo with a steamy, stinky yet still very pleasant geyser.
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