Question

What is the basic paradox or conflict found within the mission of the National Park Service?

Answer 1

Following is the mission of the National Park Service:

“The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.”

They have visitors in the Park, millions of them every year. These visitors inadvertently break the peace and tranquility of the nature. Their recreational activities bother the natural wildlife and resources. Taking care of wildlife is one thing but making it the underlying objective for making money by way of education and recreational activities at the cost of the National Park, actually defies the very mission of the National Park Service that audibly says that it shall not leave the natural and cultural resources impaired. However, in their activities, the more they expose these resources, more are the chances of the people finding different innovative ways to exploit the same. This is the basic paradox or conflict that is found within the mission of the National Park Service.