 It is a natural heritage that is protected by the government.  A natural heritage is a natural environment (mountain, fossil beds, hot springs etc.) of great value that people want to preserve.  Protected areas are planned natural spaces. This is done to not only to ensure their conservation (protection), but to open them up to scientists, outdoor enthusiasts (people who love nature) and tourists.

 A natural environment managed by the government of a province or country. (controlled or managed)  It is regulated (controlled or managed) by laws to preserve and protect it.  People are allowed to visit it.

 Things that are supplied by nature and that are useful to us in various ways.  Coal, oil, water, forests and trees are natural resources.

 The care and protection of forests, water, and other natural resources.

 The diversity of species (animals, plants and micro- organisms) found in a natural environment.

 All the animals, plants, and bacteria that make up a particular community living in a certain environment.  The parts of an ecosystem depend on one another to live.

 Natural environments can be managed and protected by creating facilities that allow people to visit the site while respecting it.  All amenities (Information centres, restrooms, camping sites etc.) and infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.) that allow people to visit a natural park

 People visiting these protected territories would have to follow regulations (rules).  These rules are put in place to preserve a natural site.

 Creating zones is key to protecting national parks, like Mont-Tremblant.  Zoning divides the park into several areas.  Regulations and the types of activities allowed can differ from zone to zone.  Regulations must be followed in these zones.  Feeding wild animals, hunting and fishing are forbidden in some national parks.

 Giving access to the public is important for those of us who are fans of outdoor activities and ecotourism (an environmentally friendly form of tourism).  It attracts the public – providing income for the park.  As a result, it generates economic spin-offs for the surrounding area.

1. Income from entry fees collected by park 2. Job opportunities, and therefore income, for the local population 3. Nearby services, such as grocery store or pharmacy 4. Health services, such as medical clinic 5. Cultural activities, such an educational centre, conferences, etc.

 Natural parks are at a risk for all kinds of threats.  Some threats can occur naturally (i.e. wild fire) while other types of threats can be linked to human activity.

 The following are examples of practises that are harmful to the environment:  The overexploitation (overuse) of natural resources like timber, minerals and fossil fuels  Pollution from pesticides, fertilizers, wastewater etc.  Poaching, such as illegal hunting or fishing  Too many visitors in a park

 Introducing foreign species that compete with species found in that environment  Deforestation to clear land for farming, resorts and urbanization.  Infrastructures (i.e. roads and industries) close to natural parks that threaten habitats.

 It is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.  It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It has protected ecosystems and wildlife.

Banff National Park Accomodations

 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

 The Galapagos Islands is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  To make it on the list, a park must be considered a world heritage- natural and cultural treasures belonging to the world.

1. It may symbolize a province or country.

2. It may have extraordinary landscapes (Iguazu National park, Argentina-Brazil). BBC Natural World - The Falls of Iguacu

3. It may have rich and rare ecosystems (The Pontoons, Tlell River, Haida Gwaii, Northern BC).

4. It may provide recreational and educational areas for visitors.

5. It may have beautiful sites for admiring nature (inspiration).

6. It may have traces of ancient civilizations. (Mesa Verde National Park, U.S.A.)

7. It may contain fossils or evidence of a natural phenomena (volcanic eruption).

8. It may provide plants that are needed for medicine.

9. They may provide economic benefits, such as tourist activities and jobs.

10. It may be a symbol of our identity.

 South American aborginals probably the first people to set foot on Galapagos Islands.  Tomas de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama wrote first report on the Galapagos islands in 1535.

 Used islands in the 1680s as a refuge/base.  Attacked European ships carrying gold stolen from the Incas.  They ate iguanas and tortoises.  Ships brought over black rats to the islands.

 Fur seals came very close to extinction.  Tortoises were killed for their meat or to make cooking oil.

 Darwin (1809 – 1882) realized and presented evidence that all species of life have evolved over time from common ancestors, through the process he called natural selection.

 In 1959, approximately 1,000 to 2,000 people called the islands their home.  In 1972 a census was done in the archipelago and a population of 3,488 was recorded.  By the 1980s, this number had risen to more than 15,000 people, and 2006 estimates place the population around 40,000 people.

 Most of the present-day inhabitants moved to the islands from the Ecuadorian mainland during the last 20 years.  Most of them work in the fishing, tourist and farming industries.

 A group of many islands in a large body of water.

 Located 600 km off the west coast of Ecuador, South America.

 Consists of 13 large islands, 6 smaller islands, 107 rocks and islets.  First island formed between 5-10 million years ago.  Isabela and Fernandina are the youngest Islands that are still being formed.  Volcanic eruptions still occur!

 Islands are aligned with the equator.  Islands are a long distance from Ecuador.  Closest land mass is the continent of South America.

 The climate is unique.  The ocean currents around the islands affect the climate.  Larger islands have trees, while others are barren.  Two main seasons: a cool dry season and a warm wet season.

 These islands are home to many endemic animals & plants, etc. (a plant or animal that is only found in that country or area).  Laws were passed to protect these species by the Ecuadorian Government (ex. $100 visitors fee).  The Galapagos Islands is both a National Park and a World Heritage Site!

 The Charles Darwin Research Station was built (1964) on Santa Cruz island in Galapagos, and scientists now come from all over the world to study the plants and animals, and help to conserve them.

 The ocean around the Galapagos Islands was made a marine reserve/park in 1998 to protect the marine life.

1. Illegal fishing or over-fishing.  Quotas (limites) are placed on the number of fish that can be fished each year.

2. Native animals (i.e. turtles) are competing with foreign animals (i.e. sheep) for the same food (plants). 3. Growing population on the islands (over 26,000 inhabitants). 4. Tourism (number of tourists visiting the Islands each year is growing – ).

5. Pollution and littering  The tanker Jessica ran aground in the Galapagos archipelago in January  Immediate damage to marine life was largely averted as the split oil was soon dispersed, but marine iguana populations in the area fell by more than half during the following year.

 David Pouilloux, a journalist, wrote a report on the degradation (deterioration) on the Galapagos Islands.  He entitled his report, “State of Emergency in the Galapagos Islands”.  It outlines the 5 reasons why the islands are being threatened today.

 The human population in GI has risen to over 26,000 today.  Ecuadorians are migrating to the Galapagos Islands because they are looking for better living conditions.  Possibility of jobs in tourism and commercial fishing.

 Organised tourist cruises require fuel.  The presence of oil tankers and cruise ships have increased the risk of oil slicks.

 Galapagos fishers over-fish swordfish, tuna, shark, and sea cucumbers.  This occurs despite the fact that commercial fishing is forbidden by law.

 Humans have introduced foreign species to the islands.  Native species are threatened by foreign species in two ways: a) Both are competing for the same food. b) Native species have become prey to foreign species (predators).

 More than 180,000 tourists per year  They require entertainment and transport (fuel used to power boats and buses is harmful to the environment).

 They walk among seabird eggs and disrupt their reproductions.  At sea, they throw plastic bags overboard  Tortoises fatally mistake these bags for jellyfish and swallow them.  More garbage in residential areas.

 To conserve nature, should we forbid people to live in protected areas?

 Some people believe humans have a negative impact on ecosystems.  People should simply not be allowed to live in protected areas.

 People can only destroy or deteriorate the environment by using up all of its resources, polluting its lakes, rivers, forests etc.  People simply get in the way of nature conservation.

 People should be allowed to live in protected areas and participate in its conservation efforts.  Locals are in the best position to protect the environment because of their experience and knowledge.

That’s all folks!