Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Since Bollens (1957) first identified special districts as a “dark continent” in political science, the number of non-school special districts in the United States has grown substantially. During the past 50 years, however, political science objections to the fragmentation of metropolitan government have remained largely theoretical.
This study examines one form of non-school special districts-- park districts-- and evaluates their efficiency and effectiveness. The study evaluates park district services compared to similar services provided by consolidated general-purpose municipal governments.
Two competing hypotheses are identified. The first states that parks and recreation departments provide higher levels of efficiency in delivering services than park districts. The second states that park districts provide higher service levels than municipal parks and recreation departments.
Midwestern states were selected for the study because they have the largest number of non-school special districts in the United States and comparable numbers of parks and recreation departments within municipalities and county governments.
Service levels, autonomy, demographic, and administrator profile data for park districts and parks and recreation departments were collected by surveying an equal number of randomly selected park district administrators and randomly selected parks and recreation department administrators in Midwestern states.
Data was analyzed using comparative means testing, bivariate and multivariate linear regression to test the relationships between service levels, and efficiency levels, as identified in the literature. In addition, these quantitative techniques were used to test competing hypotheses identified in other studies, suggesting that staffing and professional training levels are explanations for service and budgetary levels.
The aggregate results of this study show that structure of government is not an important determinant of total recreation program levels. The study also demonstrates that structure of government is not an important determinant of levels of efficiency.

Publication Type: Individual Paper
Abstract: In the sixties strange things begin to happen. H. Rap Brown used the .black power creed as a source of power to control plans of Columbia University to build a gym on 30.1 acres of Morningside Park in Harlem. H. Rap Brown was called Rap because he could “sure work a crowd” When the Student Afro American Society (SAS) had taken over Hamilton Hall and a hostage Dean Coleman... H. Rap Brown entered and announced, “We want to thank you for taking the first steps in this struggle. SNCC is now in charge.”. Six large, black males approached five white jocks that refused to abandon guardianship of the Dean. The black men moved them. There are in fact relatively simple problems in the morals which cannot be decided from the laws. The black power creed generated an irresistible power to resolve the conflict. The five white jocks left and six black guards formed outside Coleman’s door. Power is the production of intended effects.When reporters came they had no option but to put their mike in an Afro-American face. H. Rap Brown’s strategy is replicable. Promptness of decision, Unity of command, strict discipline and rhetoric to “work a crowd”. We propose H. Rap Brown as a not to be forgotten worthy in African- American History.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: In 1885, with the support of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) which had reached the site two years earlier, the Canadian government declared the 10 square miles around the Banff hot springs in Banff, Alberta as reserved land. The townsite of Banff was demarcated in 1886, and two years later the CPR opened the Banff Springs Hotel, its first hotel in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Tourism for the wealthy and elite were seen as the primary means for funding the construction of a transcontinental railway which was vital for the expansion of the nation into the west. In the 1930s, an east-west highway paralleled the CPR rail line, and the park expanded to its present size of 2,650 square miles. In 1984 the United Nations declared Banff National Park (together with neighbouring Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks) a World Heritage Site.
Today, Banff is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, renowned for its beauty, hot springs, hiking, camping and skiing. The town itself is now a self-governed municipality with legislated boundaries within the park, and a population of 7,600 permanent residents. With a fairly mild climate, abundant vegetation and great wildlife diversity, the area is both ecologically priceless and attractive to humans. Although development is restricted to approximately 1% of the park, its effects resound throughout the entire ecosystem. It has been argued that the emphasis on the economic potential of the scenery for tourism has entrenched an organization and philosophy of ‘parks for profit.’ This philosophy has resulted in increasing threats to the environment.
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the use of tourism as an economic development strategy in Banff National Park. The evaluation of the strategy will address the National Park Act, the literature on tourism, the advantages and disadvantages of tourism in Banff National Park, and an analysis of local policy and the implications for the environment.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Using archival and interview data, we examine the policy history of the establishment, funding and expansion of Channel Islands National Park (CINP). Channel Islands National Park was established in 1980, and the subsequent 27 years have been marked by political controversies over: expansion through the acquisition of formerly private land, the removal of non-native species, and a plan to convert one of the islands (Santa Rosa) into a hunting preserve for disabled veterans. We examine the policy making process surrounding the establishment of the park and the ensuing controversies through the examination of documentary material contained in the archival record as well as through interviews with individuals who were involved in the policy making process. Our research draws conclusions about the role of well placed policymakers and organized interests in the policy making for national parks

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: We investigated habitat selection of brown bears and the impact of human disturbance factors in Deosai National Park, Pakistan. An Ecological Niche Factor Analysis indicated that bears avoided higher elevations and steeper slopes, and showed a higher preference for more productive parts of the park (marshy, grassy, and stony vegetation types). Only 65% area of the park was vegetatively productive, with a standing crop of about 900 kg dry matter/km2. The marshy vegetation was the most preferred habitat, probably due to its highest forage production and highest density of golden marmots. Brown bears tolerated human structures like roads and camps, but strongly avoided grazing areas with high livestock density.
Until recently, the park seems to have sustained resource use by communities without significantly affecting the brown bear population or other park resources. However a large influx of livestock by nomad grazers in the last two years has become a major challenge, which needs urgent attention to continue the present brown bear population recover and to secure its habitat. We recommend monitoring of the livestock and a detailed inventory of the rangeland to understand grazing dynamics in the park and to maintain sustainable stocking rates.