Current Issues

Alaska Park Science has gone to continuous publishing! New articles will be published here as they become available. Once the issue is complete, a full pdf will also be published.

The Changing Human Dimensions of Alaska Parks

Parks are for people, and nowhere across the nation is this truism more apparent than in Alaska. Alaska Native peoples have used these lands, rivers, and oceans since time immemorial and access and use is codified for many parks as a result of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Alaskans interact with parks and their resources as residents, neighbors, and visitors. People from around the world come to Alaska parks to enjoy the scenic wonder, learn about nature, view wildlife, hunt and fish, climb mountains, and more! Yet, the land- and seascapes of Alaska’s parks are rapidly changing, which, in turn, influence the access, use, and enjoyment by people.

This issue highlighting human dimensions includes articles that explore the social, cultural, economic, and psychological aspects of how people interact with and experience Alaska’s parklands. The articles describe dynamic challenges and emerging opportunities for management to ensure that the National Park Service mission is met and visitors have high-quality experiences.

A common theme for all contributed articles is that management decisions are often a result of finding compromises or the best possible outcome based on shared values and science. Because of that, some articles in this issue may be presented from a particular perspective or express opinions. Those opinions are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the National Park Service.

Human dimensions are, and will continue to be, at the forefront of decision making in Alaska’s national parks. Park managers continue to seek new tools and methods for meeting park purposes and building on some of the successes described in this issue. We hope you enjoy the diversity of articles and we send our sincere gratitude to the authors who shared some of their examples and perspectives.

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  Alaska Parklands

  Resilient Social-Ecological Systems

  Opportunities to manage parklands as connected human-ecological systems.

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  Glacier Bay National Park & Pres

  Tribal Gull Egg Harvest

  Gull eggs are a traditional food that was prohibited for decades. Now the park is working with the Tribes to restore traditional use.

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  Noatak National Preserve

  Caribou Traditions & Modern Conflicts

  Non-resident sport hunters clash with traditional Indigenous hunting practices. Here are how those conflicts are negotiated and mitigated.

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  glacier bay national park & pres

  Sharing the Last Tidewater Glacier

  As tidewater glaciers recede, the park may need to revisit access decisions balancing the protection of seals and visitor experience.

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  Denali National Park & Pres

  Data-driven Vehicle Management Plan

  The Vehicle Management Plan balances access to the park, visitor experience, and wildlife protection.

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  Lake Clark and Katmai NPs & Pres

  The Ecology of Visitation

  Bear viewing in Alaska has increased over the last few years. Parks are balancing natural resource protection and visitor experience.

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  Alaska Parklands

  Changing Visitor Patterns

  Environmental conditions and travel trends are changing visitation patterns in Alaska parks.

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  Denali National Park & Pres

  What to Do About Number Two?

  Backcountry waste management poses unique challenges on glaciers at over 14,000 feet. Mount McKinley is one of the cleanest mountains.

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  Denali National Park & Pres

  Inclusive Conservation/Scenario Planning

  Scenario planning is a way for communities to discuss the balance between visitor and local interests.