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| THREE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORKS IN THE PROCESS OF RECREATION LAND MANAGEMENT IN AMERICAN NATIONAL PARKS |
| LI Xiao-li1,2 |
1. School of Tourism Management, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 51006, China;
2. Center for Tourism Planning &Research, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China |
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Abstract The National Park system in U.S. has developed for over one hundred and thirty years. It is well known that the development of NPS in the U.S. has been leading the world. In 2007, President George W. Bush stated "One goal of our country is to set parks, preserve them and make them closely related to people's life." The U.S faces the dilemma of protecting natural resources while continuing to develop tourism in order to satisfy growing public demand for recreational activities. At the beginning of 20th century, when the U.S was changeing from agricultural-based economy to industrial one, the public demand for recreational activities kept growing, meanwhile the NPS strives to achieve the dual-aim of protecting the integrity of resources.
This paper introduces three conceptual frameworks which constitute the process of recreation land management in U.S National Parks today. Firstly, ROS identifies three management-setting factors: social, biophysical and managerial. Based on these factors and standards, an ROS continuum can be segmented into six areas (Primitive, Semi-primitive non-motors, Semi-primitive motors, Roaded natural, Rural and Urban). Furthermore, the paper describes specific activities and standards in each area that should be followed during the settings. Secondly, from the theory of LAC, the paper lists monitor indicators and standards and ineviitable change. Furthermore explains the change in each area is inevitable and the key point is to monitor and keep it under the limited Accepted Change. It depends on both the advanced technologies such as GIS and careful environment surveillance. Finally, the paper focuses on the implementation of VERP and explains its process. At the end, the paper concludes that leading management of the NPS in the U.S is dependant on common benefits, advanced management models and public involvement and support. Also the author argues during the western development, it is very important for China to learn from the NPS in the U.S. to promote development while protecting natural resource for the benefit of the offspring.
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Received: 16 September 2008
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2010, Vol. 25 
