Current Issues

Alaska Park Science has gone to continuous publishing! New articles will be published here as they become available. Once the issue is complete, a full pdf will also be published.

The Changing Human Dimensions of Alaska Parks

Parks are for people, and nowhere across the nation is this truism more apparent than in Alaska. Alaska Native peoples have used these lands, rivers, and oceans since time immemorial and access and use is codified for many parks as a result of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Alaskans interact with parks as both neighbors and visitors. People from around the world come to Alaska parks to enjoy the scenic wonder, learn about nature, view wildlife, hunt and fish, climb mountains, and more! Yet, the land- and seascapes of Alaska’s parks are rapidly changing, which, in turn, influences the access, use, and enjoyment by people. Stories of the changing nature of park use and visitation have been trickling in from the field and we decided it was an appropriate topic for Alaska Park Science. The articles in this issue explore these dynamic challenges and, in some cases, emerging opportunities for park management to ensure mandates are met and people have the best experiences possible.