[Diana in Wisconsin]

They say the findings could represent a general shift away from interest in nature, and that "if this is the case, it is of enormous importance". Contact with the environment produces more eco-friendly behaviour, they say, and people must be exposed to nature as children if they are to care about it as adults. With fewer adults spending time in the great outdoors, children are less likely to experience it.

They conclude: "Declining nature participation has crucial implications for conservation efforts. We think it probable that any major decline in the value placed on natural areas and experiences will greatly reduce the value people place on biodiversity conservation. Accordingly, it becomes less likely that attempts to raise public awareness of the current biodiversity crisis [will succeed]."

But...I thought this was what the EnviroWackos wanted? No people touching anything "natural" at any time! Stay in your shoebox apartments in the city and stop trashing the Earth!

More room in the park for ME! :)

[bcsco]

But...I thought this was what the EnviroWackos wanted?

IOW, be careful what you ask for...

[denydenydeny]

Let me get this straight. Environmentalists demand “roadless” national parks and now they are upset that people won’t visit them. Do I have this right?

[Slapshot68]

“But...I thought this was what the EnviroWackos wanted? No people touching anything “natural” at any time! Stay in your shoebox apartments in the city and stop trashing the Earth!”

I know, that was the first thing that came to mind for me as well.

So they want us to enjoy nature, but don’t touch it. Which, of course, is impossible.

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

“They” want us to all be cavepeople with livespans no greater than 30. They never figured on Nintendo.

[syriacus]

Weren't we being told, a while back, that our national parks were overcrowded?

I hate crowds.

[CGASMIA68]

good less trash garbage and disrespect.Most that grow up in it respect it...many that dont trash it.....Ever sit a an intersection and see a McDonald bag fly out the window....whats with that crap..keep them out of my woods.

[Sawdring]

[kittymyrib]

Enviro-worshipers keep our country from drilling for oil in the far reaches of Alaska, where no one would ever see a rig, and then, when gas reaches $3/gal, they are surprised that no one travels to the national parks. Duh.

[Sawdring]

Does this mean that when I go backpacking I will see less people? Shoot!

[Citizen Tom Paine]

Has anyone been to Yosemite lately? I believe that I have made my last trip. The scenery was still exceptional, but the way they handled the visitors left something to be desired.

In the Everglades, try tent camping in a campground. They gradually have been making it less visitor friendly.IMHO

[tpanther]

Exactly! That was my first impression too. There’s no making loons happy.

[Proud2BeRight]

This is great for me. I love when people go on cruises, to Las Vegas, or to the beach. At least then they are not in the forest and mountains where we want to be. The best hiking trails are the empty ones.

[D-fendr]

Seems they still can't make up their mind. Just under this story is...

Great apes face threat from germs carried by eco-tourists
Eco-holidays raise vital funds for the protection of wildlife, but nature-lovers carry human viruses that have been proved fatal for animals…

[Centurion2000]

bump

[Theophilus]

people are falling out of love with the natural world

Not me, I started Bow Hunting this past year and I'm addicted!

Can't wait for Turkey season!

[bert]

Who in their right mind would hike from Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion in the Smokies when you could spend the time walking the streets of Gatlinburgh or the malls of Pigeon Forge?

[JZelle]

Why go to a park when I can just pop in my nature DVD and enjoy scenic vistas from the comfort of my sofa? I don’t have to worry about ticks, poison ivy, or rabid wildlife. I can even throw my empty chip bags on the floor!

[Gritty]

[Slapshot68]

On a related note, my mom has a senior pass to all national parks. Cost her $10. It allows her to go to the beach at the National Park on the Assateague Seashore here in Maryland. The Park Service recently got particularly strict about entry into the park by making everyone wait in the same line for park entry (they used to let the passholders go through a different gate). Apparently, people got onto the National Seashore without paying because of lax entry policies.

The moral of the story is...Mexicans can stream across the border with impunity, but my 63 year old mother gets the shakedown trying to get into a National Park she’s paid to use.

lol

[Red Boots]

The study by US conservationists discovered an "ongoing and fundamental shift away from nature-based recreation" that they say could threaten future efforts to preserve wilderness areas. The experts say people now make up to 25% fewer trips than they did in the 1980s, and say the rise of computer games could be to blame.

BS. Their own policies are to blame. They've made it increasingly hard to get into nature. Everythings fee'd, no dogs allowed, and I've even had park rangers give me grief about having children in camp sites and on trails. Like one toddler who stepped off the trail is going to cause real erosion damage.

I had a friend who was hiking in a national park, and her toddler had to go ! It was at least a mile back to the nearest toliet, so she let him go beside the trail. Unfortunately, a ranger came along, and became incensed, threatening them with a $100.00 ticket and federal prosecution. They won't be visiting a national park soon, I can tell you.

The message is pretty clear that people are not welcome in these places, so people don't go.