Grand Teton National Park

The controversial creation of Grand Teton National Park is in some ways the beginning of the culture that still dominates Jackson Hole today: outdoor recreation and aesthetic experience of nature. In this episode, we ask: What is there to do when the same activities that allow people to enjoy the land are also leading to its degradation? How do we reconcile seemingly irreconcilable land uses? Should wealth equate to decision-making power in regards to environmental management? And how do we combat the tendency for cultures of leisure to become cultures of apathy? We will cover the differences between conservation and preservation of land, the US Forest Service and National Park Service, how National Monuments are created and differ from National Parks, and the critical compromises made between the residents of Jackson, Wyoming and the US Federal Government that led to a very unique land management situation in Grand Teton National Park. Become a Jacksonite by supporting the show at our Patreon Page!