Tue, Aug 17, 2021
America's national parks are truly among our country's greatest treasures. But many of these beautiful landmarks have ugly pasts. On this series, we'll explore the often forgotten histories of some of America's most breathtaking natural wonders, starting with the park that began the conservationist movement in the 1800s: Yosemite.
Tue, Aug 24, 2021
Yellowstone was our nation's first national park. Its strange, wondrous landscapes were perfect for exploration and exploitation. Upon Yellowstone's discovery by white Americans, two races began: one to build a railroad to the park to capture its commercial potential, another to protect the land from desecration. One will fail, bringing down with it the nation's economy. The other will require the U.S. Army to succeed, but leave thousands of animals slaughtered and Native American tribes displaced.
Tue, Sep 14, 2021
In 1914, America's National Parks had a problem: no one was using them. And those few that were faced unmaintained roads, trails strewn with garbage, and a lack of amenities that made it hard for the average American to enjoy themselves. One man had enough, and went to Washington on a mission: establish a new National Parks Service, and transform these neglected, magic spaces into clean, approachable, fun vacation destinations.
Tue, Sep 21, 2021
Alaska: big, open, frozen and wild. In 1867, the acquisition of Alaska from the Russian Empire was widely derided as "folly." But early explorers like John Muir saw its potential, and clamored for its preservation in the face of increasing development and calls for statehood. Then oil was discovered in Alaska, and the real fight began. Caught between angry Alaskan individualists and an ambitious federal government, the National Park Service struggled to do what was right for the land and the people who lived and depended on it.