Paradise or Hell? How tourism development can be both stupid and wonderful
Environmentalists can be such pessimists. They can (and often are) sheer "Debbie-downers" in their outlook on life and the environment - sometimes to the point of excess. I can name more than a dozen moments within the last few months where I have been with a friend or family member out on a park or trail, where even at the happiest moments of our outdoor adventure I decide to bluntly bring up the problem of invasive species within the park, or how surrounding development is impacting bird populations, or how large predators have been eliminated from the region and how budget cuts may necessitate the closure of the park and how- well need I say more?
I ran into this problem with myself again when I took some friends from out-of-town to the Outer Banks of North Carolina (see map below). The Outer Banks are a long, nearly continuous stretch of barrier islands composed of sand that run the length of North Carolina's coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.
View Larger Map
For decades upon decades, and well into the second half of the 20th century, the outer banks were sparsely populated, and very few permanent man-made structures existent on the sand spits. The outer banks lie directly on a migratory bird path, known as the Atlantic Flyway, where scores of birds traveling from Central and South America as well as the Caribbean travel north to their breeding grounds in North America.
For thousands of years Large swaths of stunted live oak trees (Quercus virginiana) provided valuable cover to small warblers, flycatchers, and other songbirds, while the calmer backwaters between the sand barriers and the mainland were a haven for wading birds, crabs, oysters, fish, eagles, osprey (Pandion haliaetus), and a plethora of other coastal wildlife. Shorter winters also made the Outer Banks an overwintering site for migratory birds that just didn't travel as far, such as the yellow-rumped warbler (Setophaga coronata). The Outer Banks themselves geologically, protected the mainland from mass disturbances such as hurricanes.
Because the Outer Banks are jutted out into the Atlantic Ocean, they are vulnerable to the direct impacts of tropical weather.
In the early 1900s, the northern section of the Outer Banks, in a small fishing town known as Kitty Hawk, the Wright Brothers successively flew the first airplane (National Park Service, 2011). The windy and barren beaches of the Outer Banks during that time was ideal for testing a highly experimental craft.
For a while, the Outer Banks remained as a best-kept secret. I can recall having a conversation about the Outer Banks with an older coworker of mine, who used to spend lots of time there with her husband. "That was before people discovered the Outer Banks. I mean, there was practically nothing," she reminisced enthusiastically. "Now everything is so built up."
Nowadays, the Outer Banks is one of the top vacation destinations along the East Coast. Thousands upon thousands of people jump into their cars and flock to the miles and miles of sandy beaches (Figure 1) to drink, party, get sandy, and to just be away from it all. The somewhat close proximity to large urban areas, such as Washington, DC, made it that much more appealing , that within a few short decades, the coastal town of Kitty Hawk and other small fishing towns grew into upscale resort towns with shopping malls, seafood restaurants, mini-golf courses, and dozens of beach-side hotels and motels (Figure 1).
This rapid development and commercialization of hurricane-prone bird habitat has had several serious and large-scale consequences for both people and wildlife. Because of the geographic location of the Outer Banks, hurricanes and other tropical weather frequently impact the barrier islands with full force. Because of the low terrain of the Outer Banks (sea levels usually aren't much higher than 20 feet or so) and because of the loose sand composition of the landscape, destruction from strong storms is often severe. Infrastructure, homes, businesses, gas lines, sewage, and other utilities are either severely damaged or destroyed with each passing severe weather event. Trash and rubble are then scattered about the area's wetlands, dunelands, and maritime forest habitat, leaking noxious materials into the open environment and harming wildlife. Massive cleanups and repairs post-storm are probably very expensive, as well.
The presence of harsh human development can destroy wildlife habitat. The Outer Banks are homes to some very rare and endangered wildlife, such as sea turtles, various shorebirds, and a variety of other coastal and marine animals (National Park Service, 2012). The introduction of non-native invasive species, such as Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and Phragmities (Phragmities australis) is encroaching upon not-yet developed areas of the Outer Banks. Rapid development has inhibited careful urban planning, creating a scene of rushing cars creating fumes and with large shopping complexes blaring bright and blinding lights. Finally, an increased demand for off-road recreation onto beaches and dunes via the use of ATVs and SUVs has created yet another challenge to land managers on the sandy atolls.
The environmental challenges presented by tourism development in the Outer Banks is often overwhelming when examined comprehensively. Yet as I spent time their with my friends running around the beach, climbing the sand dunes, eating fresh seafood, gazing at elegant shorebirds, and soaking up the sun, I could not help smile and be thankful that I was there taking it all in. My friends looked just as relaxed and care-free, and we stayed there well past sun-down despite the two hour car ride we had to get back home. As an environmentalist, then, I had encountered a paradox: despite the hoards of environmental and philosophical problems with touring the Outer Banks, is it still okay to have a good time there? Are my feelings of freedom and relaxation that I derived from my time spent on those wonderful beaches ethical in their nature?
Most people probably wouldn't even have put a second thought into the answer to those questions. Of course it is! Don't be such a party pooper! Quit being such a negative Nancy. Gosh! You're such a treehugger, Alex. Feel free to wallow in your misery and skepticism. I'm going to go jump into the water!
References
National Park Service. (2011, September 01). Park home.
Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm
National Park Service. (2012, July 07) Birds
Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/caha/naturescience/birds.htm
I ran into this problem with myself again when I took some friends from out-of-town to the Outer Banks of North Carolina (see map below). The Outer Banks are a long, nearly continuous stretch of barrier islands composed of sand that run the length of North Carolina's coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.
View Larger Map
For decades upon decades, and well into the second half of the 20th century, the outer banks were sparsely populated, and very few permanent man-made structures existent on the sand spits. The outer banks lie directly on a migratory bird path, known as the Atlantic Flyway, where scores of birds traveling from Central and South America as well as the Caribbean travel north to their breeding grounds in North America.
For thousands of years Large swaths of stunted live oak trees (Quercus virginiana) provided valuable cover to small warblers, flycatchers, and other songbirds, while the calmer backwaters between the sand barriers and the mainland were a haven for wading birds, crabs, oysters, fish, eagles, osprey (Pandion haliaetus), and a plethora of other coastal wildlife. Shorter winters also made the Outer Banks an overwintering site for migratory birds that just didn't travel as far, such as the yellow-rumped warbler (Setophaga coronata). The Outer Banks themselves geologically, protected the mainland from mass disturbances such as hurricanes.
Because the Outer Banks are jutted out into the Atlantic Ocean, they are vulnerable to the direct impacts of tropical weather.
In the early 1900s, the northern section of the Outer Banks, in a small fishing town known as Kitty Hawk, the Wright Brothers successively flew the first airplane (National Park Service, 2011). The windy and barren beaches of the Outer Banks during that time was ideal for testing a highly experimental craft.
For a while, the Outer Banks remained as a best-kept secret. I can recall having a conversation about the Outer Banks with an older coworker of mine, who used to spend lots of time there with her husband. "That was before people discovered the Outer Banks. I mean, there was practically nothing," she reminisced enthusiastically. "Now everything is so built up."
Nowadays, the Outer Banks is one of the top vacation destinations along the East Coast. Thousands upon thousands of people jump into their cars and flock to the miles and miles of sandy beaches (Figure 1) to drink, party, get sandy, and to just be away from it all. The somewhat close proximity to large urban areas, such as Washington, DC, made it that much more appealing , that within a few short decades, the coastal town of Kitty Hawk and other small fishing towns grew into upscale resort towns with shopping malls, seafood restaurants, mini-golf courses, and dozens of beach-side hotels and motels (Figure 1).
 |
| Figure 1: Like so many coastal areas, the Outer Banks quickly transformed from a maritime wilderness to a wild vacation hotspot with large commercial districts. |
The presence of harsh human development can destroy wildlife habitat. The Outer Banks are homes to some very rare and endangered wildlife, such as sea turtles, various shorebirds, and a variety of other coastal and marine animals (National Park Service, 2012). The introduction of non-native invasive species, such as Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and Phragmities (Phragmities australis) is encroaching upon not-yet developed areas of the Outer Banks. Rapid development has inhibited careful urban planning, creating a scene of rushing cars creating fumes and with large shopping complexes blaring bright and blinding lights. Finally, an increased demand for off-road recreation onto beaches and dunes via the use of ATVs and SUVs has created yet another challenge to land managers on the sandy atolls.
The environmental challenges presented by tourism development in the Outer Banks is often overwhelming when examined comprehensively. Yet as I spent time their with my friends running around the beach, climbing the sand dunes, eating fresh seafood, gazing at elegant shorebirds, and soaking up the sun, I could not help smile and be thankful that I was there taking it all in. My friends looked just as relaxed and care-free, and we stayed there well past sun-down despite the two hour car ride we had to get back home. As an environmentalist, then, I had encountered a paradox: despite the hoards of environmental and philosophical problems with touring the Outer Banks, is it still okay to have a good time there? Are my feelings of freedom and relaxation that I derived from my time spent on those wonderful beaches ethical in their nature?
Most people probably wouldn't even have put a second thought into the answer to those questions. Of course it is! Don't be such a party pooper! Quit being such a negative Nancy. Gosh! You're such a treehugger, Alex. Feel free to wallow in your misery and skepticism. I'm going to go jump into the water!
 |
| Figure 2: Jennette's Pier in Nags Head, NC is a concrete fishing pier operated by the North Carolina Aquarium Society that utilizes renewable energy from wave action and wind to generate power, and is one of the greenest fishing piers in the country. This project is one of many conservation-oriented endeavors in the Outer Banks. Additional efforts have included the establishment of large nature preserves, carefully monitored fishing regulations, storm-water management, dune restoration, and control of invasive plants and animals. |
References
National Park Service. (2011, September 01). Park home.
Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm
National Park Service. (2012, July 07) Birds
Retrieved from http://www.nps.gov/caha/naturescience/birds.htm
 |
| A quiet evening in Jockey's Ridge State Park near Kill Devil Hills, NC. |
Comments
Post a Comment