"Beyond Yosemite: The Evolution of Parks & Protected Areas Across the Globe"

In contrast to the Old World pyramids, giant Buddha icons, and Greek architecture, the Americans established new monuments to protect wild mountains, rivers, forests, and wildlife. Although not the first protected area in the world, the 1864 Yosemite Grant was the first reserve to be held inalienable for everyone – not just rich khans, emirs, and kings. The idea quickly spread to every continent. Today, over 200 nations know that in addition to promoting the conservation of nature and historical sites, our parks and protected areas also foster national pride, identity, and economic development. They comprise 12 percent of the Earth’s terrestrial surface and almost 3 percent of the oceans, including a growing number of supranational UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserves.