National Parks are often said to be the most revolutionary idea ever put fourth by the United States of America.
The foundational idea was that grand nature and history can and should be preserved for future generations.
These lands would not be sold to the highest bidder. Instead America's most treasured natural areas would be managed by the government that is by the people and for the people.
The idea that the tallest mountains, biggest gatherings of wildlife, the tallest trees, the deepest canyons, and the widest skies should be not just available to all, but collectively owned by citizens of the nation and enjoyed by the people of the world.
In a time when rampant industrialization took the world by storm, some individuals looked at the USA's seemingly unlimited natural resources and realized that they were in fact running out.
In the mid 1800s, the idea of "wilderness" changed from a scary place that we should shield ourselves from, to a refuge for the soul from the problems of everyday life. The national parks would be the embodiment of that idea.
This is my photographic journey through the national parks across the country.
I have absolutely loved learning about these ecosystems and their wonders. What has intrigued me most are the creation stories of these parks.
From the icy peaks of Denali in Alaska, to the tropical paradise of American Samoa, each national park has a story to tell.
Each park has a hero that loved it, who was spurred to advocate for its protection.
What is inspiring and beautiful is that hero could be anyone. A president, a naturalist, a writer, a sportsman, a local, a tourist, a group, or even a kid reading the newspaper his lunch was wrapped in.
Those are the stories I find myself chasing when I visit these places. I feel inspired in these places, so I feel connected to others who were inspired and made change. I can't help but to feel the need to share those triumphs and feelings of pride in the national parks. These are those stories.
-Emmett
