With the sagging economy, Americans are vacationing closer to home and the national parks are taking a beating. But that's been true for a long time. Threats include development near the Everglades, air pollution in the Great Smoky Mountains, and overcrowding in Yosemite Valley. Forget preserving the parks in a "pristine condition." Watchdogs say it's now a matter of repairing the damage before it gets worse. We hear why the next few months could be critical to the future of one federal institution most Americans really love.
The National Parks: Will America Save Them?
Credits
Guests:
- Dale Ditmanson - Superintendent, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Pete Geddes - Director of Development, Property and Environmental Research Center
- Tom Kiernan - President, National Parks Conservation Association
- Bill Lowry - Professor of Political Science, Washington University