Dr. Mark Butorac HIST 3991: Environmental History Capri Holm February 16, 2026 A recent example of national parks’ shift from preservation to tourism is the desire to reduce traffic at Lake Louise (Colgan). Colgan argued that the vast increase in tourism and traffic has overwhelmed the parks’ infrastructure, increasing pollution and pressure on wildlife and thereby threatening ecological stability. This directly correlates with Sandlos’s work, in which he discussed the historical shift from preservation to tourism within the national parks. Specifically, Sandlos noted that previously attracting and hosting large numbers of visitors to parks had caused ecological problems (66) and…

Binnema and Niemi (2006): This article highlights the exclusionary practices in Banff National Park, reflecting a historical trend where conservation efforts disregarded Indigenous peoples’ rights and presence. This connects to discussions on how early conservation movements often prioritized wilderness preservation at the expense of Indigenous communities, leading to displacement and loss of traditional lands (Binnema & Niemi, 2006). It challenges us to consider the ethical implications of conservation policies and the importance of inclusive approaches that respect Indigenous rights and knowledge. Cronon (1995): Cronon’s critique of wilderness as a social construct is relevant to discussions on how our perception of…

Article One:  Ostroff and MacLellan’s article “How We’re Helping Conserve Polar Bears, the Arctic’s Apex Predator” states that Canada, home to about two-thirds of the world’s polar bears, has a duty to protect them as Arctic ice melts due to climate change (Ostroff and MacLellan). WWF‑Canada conducts research, community monitoring, and conflict reduction, especially in northern towns where bears enter populated areas. They combine Inuit traditional knowledge with scientific research to enhance protection and understanding. The article shows how Canada’s conservation efforts have shifted from excluding Indigenous peoples to involving them. Historically, as Binnema and Niemi note, Indigenous peoples were…

Post 1: Conservation Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/wetlands-climate-flooding-canada-1.7101439 A recent CBC article discusses ongoing efforts to restore and protect wetlands in Canada as climate change increases flooding and biodiversity loss. This connects closely to Unit 3 discussions about conservation as an active process, rather than simply setting land aside and leaving it untouched. The article challenges the idea that conservation is only about protecting “pristine” nature by showing how heavily altered ecosystems still play critical ecological roles. It also reflects course themes around how conservation priorities have shifted over time, from resource preservation for human use to protecting ecological functions and long-term resilience….

HIST 3991: Environmental History​ Student name: Grace Fang October 23 2025​   Vancouver Media Report: Vancouver recently approved a large number of new homes, high-rise towers and natural solutions in the 6.6-square-kilometre area of the “Rupert and Renfrew Station Area”. News link: https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/news/projects/2025/08/more-residents-more-housing-and-more-highrise-towers-in-store-for-east-vancouver The report pointed out that East Vancouver plans to solve the housing shortage by building new high-rise towers, but the community is concerned that the development will crowd out green space and public facilities. This is in line with the tension between urbanization and parks: expansion of housing demand in the process of urbanization often comes at…