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Show Europe, saw itself as a new nation, lacking a rich history in culn1re, architecture, and arts. The perception of this void was present despite the fact that the land had been populated for thousands of years. Runtc argued that Americans found monumcntalism and history though the national parks - they gave the country "a semblance of antiquity through landscape," allowing competition with Europe. 14 The national park idea evolved, filling both environmental and social needs. "The concept of a national park reflects some of the central values and experiences in American culture," Nash wrote. 15 From 1919 to 1971, five national parks were designated in Utah. The first, Zion, was created during this period of transition in journalism and conservation. Since the creation of the four remaining parks, conservation and journalism have both evolved. Although considerable research has focused on the birth of the national park idea, along with the first two national parks - Yellowstone and Yosemite - little scholarship has focused on Utah or the evolution of conservation and the national parks from a massmedia perspective. Environmental historians Mark Neuzil and William Kovarik have called for research on parks that have received less attention. They wrote, "Historians have debated how and why the national parks were created, but the establishment of each park should be examined in its own social and cultural contcxt." 16 Evaluating the journalism associated with Utah's parks gives insight into the evolution of the national park idea and conservation and illuminates the evolution of environmental news coverage. Despite the long history of environmental issues in the 14 Jbid., 41. is Nash, "The American Invention of National Parks,"' 276 . 16 Neuzil and Kovarik, Mas.\" Media and £11viro11memal Coeflict, 65. |
