About
From 1981 through 2018, the George Wright Society published The George Wright Forum, an interdisciplinary journal that explored innovative thinking and offered enduring perspectives on critical issues across the whole spectrum of place-based heritage management and stewardship. The George Wright Forum published insights from virtually every field in cultural and natural resources related to parks, protected areas, and cultural sites.
Beginning in 2020, that same editorial vision is carried on in a successor journal, Parks Stewardship Forum, co-published by the UC Berkeley Institute for People, Parks, and Biodiversity and the George Wright Society.
Volume 3, Issue 3, 1983
Summer 1983
Articles
- Editorial
Reflections on the place of conscience in research and publishing.
- A Data Base Management System for Cultural Resource Managers
As part of a broader initiative to enhance cultural resource management at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a computerized data base management system (DBMS) was developed to consolidate and analyze archaeological and environmental data. Initially based on data coded for the San Juan Basin Regional Uranium Study, the system integrates site attributes with digitized environmental variables such as soil, vegetation, and erosion channels. The system—named PARKMAN—enables resource managers to access and interpret detailed site information, generate visual overlays, and support preservation planning, research, and interpretive efforts. Early accomplishments include data cleaning, hardware and software setup, and digitization of critical environmental and cultural features. Ongoing work aims to expand the data set and improve its utility for decision-making and conservation. This pilot project is also serving as a model for other regions with similar archaeological and management needs.
- Report on the International Working Conference on New Directions for Conservation of Parks, June 5–15, 1983
The International Working Conference on New Directions for Conservation of Parks, held in West Germany from June 5–15, 1983, brought together conservation professionals from Europe and North America to explore evolving approaches to park management. Hosted at Luneburger Heide Nature Park and supported by Alfred Toepfer, the conference featured working sessions, field visits, and discussions covering diverse topics such as park administration, nature conservation, interpretation, volunteer engagement, and environmental values. Participants highlighted significant differences and similarities between U.S. and European park systems, particularly regarding land ownership, legal frameworks, and public involvement. Emphasis was placed on the need for education, research-based management, and moral commitment to conservation. Key issues included balancing use with preservation, using volunteers effectively, and addressing ethical and philosophical foundations of environmental protection. The conference concluded with 12 resolutions aimed at guiding future conservation efforts.
- Natural Resources Management—Nature Conservation in Parks: Statement by Roland H. Wauer at the New Directions in Conservation of Parks Conference
In his statement at the New Directions for Conservation of Parks Conference, Roland H. Wauer discusses the evolution of natural resource management within the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), highlighting the shift in ranger duties from resource stewardship to law enforcement due to increased visitation and social unrest in the 1970s. This shift, coupled with limited funding and expanding park units, led to declining attention to ecological conservation. In response, the NPS developed a comprehensive strategy for resource protection, outlined in the 1979 State of the Parks Report and a 1980 mitigation plan. Wauer details six major initiatives implemented since then: (1) mandatory Resources Management Plans for all parks, (2) identification and prioritization of Significant Resource Problems (SRPs), (3) targeted training for superintendents and specialists, (4) a Natural Resources Management Trainee Program, (5) Information Baseline Guidelines to support planning, and (6) the Resource Information Tracking System (RITS). These efforts aim to systematize and elevate resource management to ensure the long-term protection of the parks' natural and cultural assets.
- Cooperative Regional Demonstration Projects: Environmental Education in Practice
This article proposes a strategy to address escalating environmental degradation in tropical and subtropical regions through the development of Cooperative Regional Demonstration Projects (CRDPs). These projects build upon the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program, using biosphere reserves as focal points for integrated conservation, research, and sustainable development. CRDPs emphasize collaboration among local communities, scientists, policymakers, and international organizations to solve region-specific ecological challenges. Case studies from Mexico, Kenya, and Rwanda illustrate how CRDPs can demonstrate effective environmental management practices, promote community participation, and serve as models for broader application. The author advocates for increased international support, training, and coordination to implement these projects and strengthen global cooperation in environmental stewardship.
- The National Park Service in Law Reviews and Law Journals: An Update
This article serves as an annotated update to a 1982 bibliography detailing legal periodical literature relevant to the National Park Service (NPS). Compiled by Thomas W. Lucke, it highlights significant recent articles published in law reviews and journals that analyze evolving legal frameworks, policy debates, and administrative challenges facing national parks in the United States and Canada. Topics include preservation versus development, Clean Air Act implications for park visibility, the public trust doctrine, and the economic valuation of air quality in protected areas. The article functions as a practical resource for NPS managers and planners, offering both legal context and scholarly insight into issues shaping the governance and protection of national parklands. While emphasizing the importance of professional legal consultation, Lucke underscores the value of informed engagement with these publications for enhancing decision-making and policy implementation within the NPS.
- An Outdoor Laboratory: The Indiana Dunes
This article highlights the ecological and scientific significance of the Indiana Dunes, recounting its appeal to early 20th-century scientists and its foundational role in American ecology. Inspired by his first sight of the dunes in 1896, Professor Henry Chandler Cowles pioneered ecological studies in the region, particularly plant succession, establishing the Dunes as a natural laboratory. The article outlines Cowles' classification of dune stages and the region's rich geological and ecological history, including its post-glacial evolution and unique biodiversity. It also reviews ongoing research in botany, geology, animal ecology, and air quality, emphasizing the Dunes' continued importance to conservation and scientific inquiry. The piece serves as both a tribute to early ecological pioneers and a call to support ongoing preservation efforts.
- Park Superintendent Responds to "Acid Rain" Article
A letter from the superintendent of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area to the manager of Plateau Electric Cooperative.
- (Book) Reviews
Reviews of "The National Park Service" (Everhart), "Algeny" (Rifkin), and "The Making of a Ranger" (Garrison).
- Aldo Starker Leopold: 1913–1983
This memorial article honors the life and legacy of Aldo Starker Leopold, a pioneering wildlife ecologist and influential figure in American conservation policy. Written shortly after Leopold's death in 1983, the piece reflects on his profound impact on national park and wilderness fire management, particularly through the seminal 1963 "Leopold Report" which redefined ecological restoration and management strategies within the U.S. National Park Service. Kilgore recounts Leopold's pragmatic yet visionary philosophy, advocating for scientifically informed and ecologically sensitive intervention, including controlled burns, to maintain or restore natural conditions in protected areas. The article highlights Leopold's enduring influence as a scientist, advisor, and educator, emphasizing his rare ability to balance ecological insight with actionable policy guidance. It also offers personal reflections on his character, celebrating his blend of intellectual rigor, humility, and deep commitment to natural resource stewardship.