Journal

Photo Journal

Videos

Synthesis

Hello, I hope that you have enjoyed this taste of Witch Hole Pond and Acadia National Park from the photos and videos that I have created in conjunction with the supplementary academic research. I have already presented some background information, at the introduction of each section synthesizing some of my learnings throughout the course, and I will now discuss some of the interconnections that the entire term has presented.

One major theme that underlines every decision and aspect of the national park system is striking a balance between visitor enjoyment and natural resource protection. This seemingly paradoxical conflict has persisted since the creation of the National Park System and its interpretation has been continuously debated. Acadia is rich with cultural pre-historic and historic, natural (the park's lakes ad ponds provide drinking water for many communities) and wildlife, and educational, artistic, and recreational resources, whose diversity both provides a range of interesting experiences but also makes the management of the park very difficult. The presence of carriage roads and automobile roads intersects at the edge of a fine line that can be argued in directions for providing modern conveniences or sacrificing nature. To what level should the park remain completely wild space? What is the role of the park system in providing for visitors, to encourage more intimate and engaging activities with the landscape or focusing on keeping paying visitors happy? What are the costs and benefits of both? These are questions that I hope you will consider as you explore the park for yourself.

This website and its topics are of course always a work-in-progress which will represent the lifelong process of learning that is human ecology. If you have an insight, want to share a story, give your opinion, or find an error or room for improvement on the website, please let me know below! Thanks for visiting! - AS