“Sometimes we forget, or perhaps even take for granted, the significant role that we may be we may be playing in this legacy that we call parks.”
It is incredibly important to preserve the historical legacy of our national and state parks. There is a need to capture significant events, natural disasters, and park facilities for our future understanding. Phil Gaines joins this episode to talk about the importance of documenting history in parks, including strategic archiving of photos and videos.
There is a need for a strategic approach to maintain historical records amidst the era of social media, emphasizing the importance of cataloging and archiving photos and stories. Some of the ways this can be done are by creating procedures for archiving significant events, conducting year-end reviews, and documenting landscape changes over time. It is also important for individuals to recognize the impact they are making on the park system and to be deliberate in their documentation efforts. No effort is too small.
From significant events to natural disasters and park facilities, impact of photography and digital archiving is crucial. These moments shape the narrative of our parks and help us appreciate their evolution. Some of the ways this can be done are to create procedures for archiving significant events, conduct year-end reviews, and document the change in landscapes over time. It’s all about capturing the essence of our parks for posterity.
Take a listen to the full episode to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of documenting park history. Share your thoughts with Phil and I to continue the conversation about preserving the legacy of our parks.
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Episode Highlights
01:07 Significance of national parks and our role in preserving parks.
04:53 Organic Act of 1916 shaped National Park Service.
06:49 Lack of agreement among states led to individual state park systems.
10:05 Need to actively preserve and utilize information for future generations.
16:08 Challenge of storing, organizing, and preserving photos and videos.
21:41 Document and archive significant historical events proactively.
25:05 Capture memories and impact of park experiences for future reference.