Conservation Quote by Edward Abbey
““To all accusations of excessive development the administrators can reply, as they will if pressed hard enough, that they are giving the public what it wants, that their primary duty is to serve the public not preserve the wilds. "Parks are for people" is the public relations slogan, which decoded means that the parks are for people-in-automobiles. Behind the slogan is the assumption that the majority of Americans, exactly like the managers of the tourist industry, expect and demand to see their national parks from the comfort, security and convenience of their automobiles. Is this assumption correct? Perhaps. Does that justify the continued and increasing erosion of the parks? It does not.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey, 1968
The quote critiques the belief that national parks exist primarily for automobile tourism, questioning whether public demand justifies environmental degradation.
In simple terms: People want easy car access to parks, but that harms nature.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize preservation over convenience.
Themes
environment
conservation
public policy
tourism
automobile culture
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
ethical
environmental
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- park management
- urban planning
- environmental activism
Key Concepts
sustainability
public demand
environmental ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How should parks balance public access with conservation?
- What alternatives exist to car‑centric tourism?
A Different Perspective
Convenient car access can conflict with ecological protection.
