Exercise #3: Connecting Past and Present

Parks: The article on Porteau Cove Provincial Parks’s recent fishing closures to protect glass sponges, and the article by Binnema and Niemi (2006) made me realize the parks related changes that are occurring, including Indigenous voices in parks-related discussions and actions. For example, in the article on Porteau Cove, it is stated that ongoing consultation is occurring between policy makers and Indigenous peoples, not just on the decisions being made, but also on their ability to engage in cultural practices during closures. This is a significant change that contrasts the historical accounts of parks-related decisions, including the negative impacts on Stoney First Nations during the establishment of Banff National Park (Binnema and Niemi 2006).Additionally, the article regarding the protection of glass sponges in Porteau Cove Provincial Park has me wondering what occurred during the establishment of the park. In relation to the video by Cronon 1995, I was encouraged to consider the possibility of displacement of Indigenous peoples or limitations of their cultural practices at this location (Cronon 1995).Although this may relate more so to conservation, the article shows that the recent closures to bottom contact fishing are part of a trend that has also been seen in closures during recent years (Bartlett 2022). It demonstrates the growing concern for protection rather than limitless consumption like in some periods of history. Furthermore, Canada’s goal to protect 25 percent of its oceans by 2025 is another example of this change overtime (Bartlett 2022).Conservation:The article chosen highlights recent conservation funds donated by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation to support 168 fish and wildlife conservation projects in BC (Canadian Forest Industries 2023). It demonstrates the change overtime from viewing natural resources as indispensable, to now taking action to protect and benefit them; however, I now acknowledge how conservation efforts, including the establishment of parks, can contribute negatively to environmental preservation. Interestingly, this made me think of the reading by Pinchot 1910 where it stated humans first goal is to control the earth it lives upon (Pinchot 1910). Rather than attempting to control the environment, although I acknowledge an element of that may be true, I see these conservation efforts not synonymous with sustainability, but perhaps a step towards it.ReferencesBinnema, Theodore (Ted), and Melanie Niemi. “‘Let the Line Be Drawn Now’: Wilderness, Conservation, and the Exclusion of Aboriginal People from Banff National Park in Canada.” Environmental History 11, no. 4 (2006): 724–750. Accessed January 1, 2023. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3985800 Bartlett, Keili. 2022. “Five More Glass Sponge Reefs in Howe Sound Protected by New Closures.” Coast Reporter. https://www.coastreporter.net/local-news/five-more-glass-sponge-reefs-in-howe-sound-protected-by-new-closures-4978227. Canadian Forest Industries (CFI). 2023. “HCTF Funds $8M for 168 B.C. Conservation Projects.” Wood Business. September 28, 2023. https://www.woodbusiness.ca/hctf-funds-8m-for-168-b-c-conservation-projects/. Cronon, William. “The Trouble with Wilderness; or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature.” In Uncommon Ground: Rethinking the Human Place in Nature, edited by William Cronon, 69–90. New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 1995.Pinchot, Gifford. “Chapter Four: Principles of Conservation.” In The Fight for Conservation, 40–52. New York: Doubleday, 1910. http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=amrvg&fileName=vg11//amrvgvg11.db&recNum=43&itemLink=D%3Fconsrvbib%3A2%3A.%2Ftemp%2F~ammem_j7wC%3A%3A&linkText=0 The Library of Congress. Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1850-1920. No Date. https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=amrvg&fileName=vg11//amrvgvg11.db&recNum=52&itemLink=D%3Fconsrvbib%3A2%3A.%2Ftemp%2F~ammem_j7wC%3A%3A&linkText=0 Peer posting 2

Connecting Past and Present

DECEMBER 21, 2023 BY: WANG QING“The Urbanization of the Globe” by Eric J. Gertler accents the unprecedented rise in urban living, echoing the trend underway about the rapid urbanization discussed in Unit 3. The author argues that the cities have been the hub for the development of human civilization. This is because the development of ideas, economic power, and movements were the major aspects of cities around the world. In recent times the trend in urbanisation is increasing at a fast rate because more and more people are moving from rural areas to cities. Increased connectivity through the rise of technology such internet, roadways, and airways technology are the main reasons for this increased trend in urbanization. The author argues that in the future innovative individuals need to be in close proximity with other major cities in order to collaborate in the knowledge-based cities. Gertler suggests “Bright, curious minds in the sciences and technology demand proximity in order to be more productive, more creative, and further stimulated.”Gertler’s emphasis on cities as loci of innovation echoes the historical significance attached to urban areas discussed in the course. However, the current wave of urban populations comes with a load of challenges similar to those deliberated in Unit 3, reinforcing the intrinsic balance between urban development and conservation. The projected exponential urban growth underscores the need to integrate the course of urban planning conservation principles to salve and counter environmental degradation, echoing the course’s highlighting on sustainable urban development.“The American Buffalo,” a documentary by Ken Burns, mirrors the themes of conservation in Unit 3 through its account of buffalo’s near-extinction in history and subsequent preservation. This, to a larger extent, mirrors that of history being a context of resource depletion, as evident by Unit 3, thus exemplifying putting modes of conservation into action. Massive urbanization is the reason for the lack of conservation. Urbanization is causing a destruction of the forests and wildlife habitat. Loss of wildlife animals due to lack of conservation does not only impact the ecology but also the intimate relationship between indigenous communities and animals.  European settlers and the subsequent Americans’ hand in the near annihilation of the buffalo’ is the darker story is the main highlight of the documentary. Burn’s documentary helps us to see a lesson from the buffalo’s story in the times of climate change and the mass extinction of wildlife. Burns’ documentary thus succeeds as an emergent reflection of lessons from bygone conservation projects and insight for dealing with the puzzles posed to the contemporary world in regard to the environment through empathetic conservation.   Works CitedGertler, Eric J. “The Urbanization of the Globe.” U.S. News, 2018.https://www.usnews.com/news/cities/articles/2018-10-02/the-urbanization-of-the-globe-what-it-means-for-our-growing-cities.Kimbrough, Liz. “Ken Burns Discusses Heartbreak & Hope of ‘the American Buffalo,’ HisNew Documentary.” Mongabay Environmental News, October 4, 2023.https://news.mongabay.com/2023/10/ken-burns-discusses-hope-heartbreak-of-the-american-buffalo-his-new-documentary/.