"A thing is right only when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the community. The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include the soils, waters, plants and animals or collectively, the land."
-- Aldo Leopold

One of the predominating ideologies of our age is that nature is a vast machine that endlessly turns out the "goods" to support human life. Aldo Leopold saw that that was not true; we needed to see that our tools and action didn't do more harm than good. Our job is to be stewards rather than users.

NPS is charged with protecting and conserving the natural resources in the parks. This responsibility includes wilderness -- those areas suitable for designation as wilderness and those already designated as such. Scientific study is important to achieve this goal but the study must not damage the park. Read the following NPS 2001 policy guidelines on conducting research in the park.

First, compare the National Park Service's 2001 Management Policy regarding scientific research in wilderness areas within the national parks to the definition of, and limitations on, wilderness described in The Wilderness Act of 1964.

Click on the people, to open the handout on NPS Wildlife Management Policy

Next, read the statements of objectives and methods selected from research projects currently in progress in some of our national parks. Based on statements from The Wilderness Act of 1964 and NPS Wilderness Management Policy, do you agree or disagree that this research is suitable for wilderness areas? Discuss each example with your classmates and briefly explain the consensus opinion you reach on the handout.

Click on the pen and paper, to open the handout on Objectives and Methods

Finally, work with your group to complete a study proposal for the NPS to pursue a research project in wilderness lands. Suspend reality for this activity!

Your school's grounds have become wilderness lands in a national park in your state. You are excited about conducting research in the park's wilderness lands.

1. Click on the picture to find and print out the NPS Guidelines to Researchers for Study Proposals. Your job will be to devise a research project to be completed in the wilderness backyard of your school. You must complete and submit the park's proposal form to gain permission to pursue your project.
2. You may need to discuss possible project objectives with your teacher before filling out this form.
3. If desired, respond to sections IIB, VI and VII with N/A (Not applicable).
4. In Section VIII there may be N/A responses to some of the subtopics. However, make sure to complete Subtopic H.
5. Invite your teacher to take the role of NPS supervisor to evaluate your proposal, both for its scientific quality and its suitability for wilderness research. Good Luck!