National Parks Neglected

Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD) may be an indirect cause of Congress starving the national parks of enough money to keep roads, buildings and trails in adequate repair. According to Bruce Henderson's article in the Charlotte Observer (9-6-09), maintenance backlog in the National Parks is now $8 billion. What does NDD have to do with funding the parks? The connection lies in use of the national parks--it is going down. Americans like to be plugged in with video games, cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, etc. The parks offer experiences that are non-electronic, thus the experience becomes undesirable for many. When usage goes down, then government funds are decreased, the parks are allowed to go in disrepair, and the cycle continues downward. The best solution may be to get our kids out into natural places more often so they may fall in love with it.