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Show 178 This dissertation has chronologically examined the journalism associated with the establishment of each of Utah's five national parks. The research questions guiding this inquiry were intended to evaluate environmental journalism as it evolved in concert with national park idea. Previous chapters examined these questions as they relate to the individual parks. This final chapter considers the research questions from a broader perspective, examining the trends from 1919 to 1971 . First, this chapter considers how journalists reported the national park idea and the environmental purpose of the parks. Second, it explores how journalists navigated the political issues related to Utah's parks. Third, this chapter examines insights that this work can shed on the evolution of environmental journalism. Finally, in light of the findings, it recommends areas for future study. Journalism and the National Park Idea: From Honor to Intrusion The national park idea was conceived, in part, with the assertion that some of the country's natural wonders should be preserved for future enjoyment. As historian Alfred Runic wrote, the national park idea was born also to fulfill cultural, rather than environmental, purposes.545 Over time culrural and environmental needs changed, and the national park idea evolved. While Runte's research examined what the national parks have meant in America and how the national park idea developed, this dissertation looks at the concept through an environmental journalism lens focused on Utah's parks. The first research question asked: How did journalists report the national park idea? How did s-15 Runic, National Parks: The American Experience, 107. |
