|
|
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
 |
|
A
geyser at Yellowstone National Park, NPS Photo
|
Yellowstone National Park, the world's first such reserve, was established by act of the United States Congress in 1872. As a source of public recreation and renewal, as one of the world's great scientific laboratories, and as an exemplar of a global conservation movement, Yellowstone is a unique natural and cultural resource. Originally set aside to preserve geological and geothermal wonders, such as several hundred geysers, many thousands of hot springs, and a complex volcanic and glacial landscape, Yellowstone's purposes have multiplied and broadened throughout its long life. It quickly became one of the world's foremost wildlife refuges, launching more than a century of ecological research and on-the-job training for generations of managers.
 |
|
A
geyser at Yellowstone National Park, NPS Photo
|
As ecological awareness grew, the park become a testing ground for new approaches in the management of predator-prey systems and native vegetation communities, as well as a leading presence in scientific inquiries into ecosystem management. Most recently,
microbiological treasures from park hot springs have again redefined Yellowstone's role in human society. In a hundred ways, Yellowstone has challenged its stewards and its public with great questions about our relationship with nature. All these additional roles have only heightened the pleasure, enrichment, and education received by ever-increasing numbers of park visitors, who now total in excess of 130 million since the park's creation.
Inscribed in 1978 as a Natural site, under Criteria N (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv).
Inscribed in 1978 as a Natural site, under Criteria N (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv).
Links
Yellowstone
National Park
World Heritage Convention
