Nature Preserves

Wilderness was here before humans. Before people arrived on Earth, the Earth evolved. Nature preserves have a long history, evolving from early practices of setting aside protected areas for religious or cultural reasons. Persian leaders were known to have set aside hunting grounds next to their palaces for pleasure. Forests on many continents were respected for their presence of ancient trees. The Mihintale wildlife sanctuary, Sri Lanka,), founded in the 3rd century BC, is one of the world’s earliest wildlife sanctuaries. The Royal Hunting Reserve (Poland), established in 1564, is considered the oldest wildlife sanctuary in the world. Initially serving as a hunting reserve for the Polish king. It is now known as Bialowieza Forest and is one of the last primeval forest parcels that used to cover most of Europe. Today, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and biosphere reserve with its renowned biodiversity, including the reintroduced European bison. *Bogd Khan Uul National Park, Mongolia * founded in 1783, has many native plants and animals protected from hunting and farming. It is considered the world’s oldest Nature reserve. Naturalist Charles Waterton established the first modern Nature reserve around his estate at Walton Hall, West Yorkshire. He actively managed the area for wildlife, planting trees and creating nesting sites. Have you ever visited wilderness? Find the closest wildlife sanctuary and visit it!

In 1864, President Ulysses S. Grant set aside land to preserve and protect the scenery, cultural heritage, wildlife, geologic and ecological systems and processes in their natural condition for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. Yellowstone Park became our first National Park in 1872. Yosemite Park became a state-protected area in 1864 and a national park in 1890. It features huge granite cliffs and waterfalls, giant sequoias, and a wide variety of animals. One of the most beautiful national parks in the world, and people visit it to hike, camp, and be in Nature! In 1936, India established the Jim Corbett National Park after a hunter turned conservationist. This park is home to Bengal tigers, as well as other animals and birds. In 1892, the Groenkloof Nature Reserve in South Africa was built upon early game reserves. In 1956, the Dinghu Mountain Nature Reserve in China opened to focus on scientific research and to protect endangered species. In 1898, Kruger National Park was established as a reserve in South Africa to protect animals from hunting and poaching. It’s now a renowned safari destination. China has set aside a large expanse of National Parks, Nature Reserves, and Natural Parks, covering 15% of its country, and is committed to biodiversity conservation and ecological security.

What National Parks would you like to visit?

The concept expanded conservation concerns and opened the establishment of wilderness areas and natural areas of research in the early 20th century, and the development of state and national systems in the latter half of the century. In 1924, Leopold also worked to establish the Gila Wilderness as the first US National Research Center. A few years later, the Santa Catalina Research Area was set aside as a Natural area for scientific study and research. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Wilderness Act and the National Wilderness Preservation System. States like Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Washington, Wyoming, Illinois, and Alaska began dedicating legally protected nature preserves. Today, there are 44 states and Puerto Rico that have 111.7 million acres of wilderness protected. What can you do to protect wildlife?

The first national preserves, Big Thicket and Big Cypress were established in 1974. The concept of national preserves arose from concern and collaboration of diverse groups of people- local conservationists, sportsmen, environmentalists, Seminoles, Miccosukees, and many others set political and personal differences aside. The efforts of countless individuals and government officials prevailed when, on October 11, 1974, Big Cypress National Preserve was established as the nation’s first National Preserve. Everyone saw the importance of protecting the swamp, but many did not want this region merely added to nearby Everglades National Park, which was created in the 1940s. Many people felt that national parks were managed in a restrictive manner, and access to the swamp would be lost. The resulting compromise created a new land management concept – a national preserve or an area that would be protected, but would also allow for specific activities that Congress described within the legislation that created the preserve. Big Thicket constituents in southern Texas and Big Cypress groups in Florida, and President Carter’s actions in Alaska in 1978 led to the establishment of many more.

The core purpose of nature preserves is to protect wildlife, plant life, and natural ecosystems from human activities.

The E.O.Wilson Half Earth Foundation raises awareness of the importance of protecting the biodiversity of species on Earth by protecting wilderness and natural areas. The Earth’s oceans, rivers, wetlands, grasslands, and forests clean our air, give us water to grow food, renew our soil, and provide habitat to insects, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Humans rely on nature to live! We would not be here without nature! Areas that preserve wilderness may be open to human traffic for exercise and recreation, but they are accepted only as temporary visitors and not dwellers. The National Wilderness Preservation System protects 111,889,002 acres (174,826.566 sq mi; 452,798.73 km2) of federal land as of 2023. They are managed by four agencies: • National Park Service (NPS) • United States Forest Service (USFS) • United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

As of 2023, 806 wilderness areas have been designated, which comprise about 4.5% of the land area of the United States.[2][3] What can you do to protect wildlife?

Research State Parks in the state in which you live. Pick a park that you would like to visit. Create a map that outlines its walking paths, recreational options, cabins, and camping possibilities. There may be a nature preserve in the city in which you live. Take a look at the Shorewood Nature Preserves. Take photos of the entry, the experience, and the different paths.

Upload them to the gallery. Contribute them to the website! Be a State park visitor!

UNESCO World Heritage sites are natural or cultural areas recognized for their outstanding universal value. There are 167 natural sites, 878 cultural sites, and 39 mixed sites on the World Heritage List. Some examples of natural sites include the Galapagos Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, and Yellowstone National Park.

Natural World Heritage sites are areas of exceptional natural beauty, geological or geomorphological significance, or that are home to endangered species. Some prominent examples include: Galapagos Islands (Ecuador): A volcanic archipelago known for its unique flora and fauna, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and numerous bird species.

Great Barrier Reef (Australia): The world’s largest coral reef full of diverse marine life.

Yellowstone National Park (USA): A large land area full of geysers, hot springs, grizzly bears, wolves, and bison.

Sundarbans National Park (India/Bangladesh): The world’s largest mangrove forest, home to the Bengal tiger and other threatened species . Iguazu National Park (Argentina/Brazil): Features the stunning Iguazu Falls, one of the largest waterfall systems in the world.

Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek (USA/Canada): A transboundary protected area with glaciers, mountains, and diverse ecosystems.

Okavango Delta (Botswana): An inland delta that supports a wide range of wildlife.

Serengeti National Park (Tanzania): Wildebeest migration and diverse wildlife.

Everglades National Park (USA): A vast subtropical wilderness with unique ecosystems and abundant wildlife.

Grand Canyon National Park (USA): A stunning geological formation with immense scale and beauty.

Mammoth Cave National Park (USA): The world’s longest known cave system, with unique geological and biological features.

Olympic National Park (USA): A diverse landscape of mountains, forests, and coastline, with glaciers, old-growth forests, and a wide variety of plant and animal life.

Redwood National and State Parks (USA): Home to the tallest trees on Earth, the coast redwoods.

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park (Tanzania): Features Africa’s highest peak and a diverse range of ecosystems.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (USA): Active volcanoes and unique volcanic landscapes.

Visit some of the Natural sites listed on UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE sites. Explore Wilderness areas around the world. Find one on each continent that you would like to visit. Place the names and a photo on the world map.