Prompt 2- Defining Ethics: "Sustainable Parks, Recreation, and Tourism"

By Emily T

It was not easy finding the Code of Ethics to apply to the major “Sustainable Parks, Recreation, and Tourism”. The reason for this is because this major covers a range of careers. Someone who runs a nonprofit organization or works at a resort may have a different code of ethics than someone who works at a local or state park. The following statements are ones that I believe capture the code of ethics generally found among those in this field, and the code of ethics that I would like to follow:

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the NPS. The “Organic Act” states that the fundamental purpose of the NPS “is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” -National Park Service

The Wilderness Society's mission is to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places.  We contribute to better protection, stewardship and restoration of our public lands, preserving our rich natural legacy for current and future generations. -The Wilderness Society

The purpose of the Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenways Plan is to assess the needs of the community for parks, recreation, open space and greenways, and to identify the actions to be taken to improve and maintain these facilities -City of East Lansing Parks and Recreation Planning

These three codes of ethics are just a few examples of the many that fall under “Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism”. What all three of them have in common are that they all stand for maintaining public facilities, land, and the environment, for current and future generations. I think that all in all, this code of ethics is respected and followed by those in parks and recreation careers.

People of all communities generally enjoy parks and public lands, and the opportunities they have to offer. It varies from community to community, but in regard to service like the National Parks, I would say that the people of the United States generally understand that these parks are here for the enjoyment of the citizens, and they trust those working in them to care for them properly. 

I would like to assist a community of some kind in enjoying and maintaining land that is there for the benefit and enjoyment of the citizens. Whether it be in a National Park, a State Park, or for a type of nonprofit, I would like for my job to be focused on giving the community an opportunity to be enjoy the outdoors. I have grown up going to local, state, and national parks, and I have had a positive experience with all three of them. I would like to contribute to the opportunities that these places can offer a community.

Images:

"Urban Park Rangers." : NYC Parks. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.

"Southern Miss Students, Faculty and Staff in Photos." Southern Miss Students, Faculty and Staff in Photos. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.

N.p., n.d. Web.

Sources:

"Parks & Recreation Planning | East Lansing, MI - Official Website." Parks & Recreation Planning | East Lansing, MI - Official Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.

"Wilderness.org." National Wilderness Preservation System. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.

United States. National Park Service. "National Park Service." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 20 Feb. 2016. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.