Research Proposal Outline

Introduction:

  “Here was the coexistence of people with mountains and back country, mountains and back country which could be transformed into subdivisions and cities any time we choose. Yet they are not, because somewhere in our wisdom Americans have determined that our survival depends to a vast extent on survival of nature and the outdoors” (Frome 14).
    Illustrated by quote above, the conservation of national parks and forests play an important role in American history. From the artistic influence of Ansel Adams, to President Teddy Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, and other naturalist like John Muir, these protected lands have been “[administered] by the oldest conservation agency in the Federal Government” (Frome 15).   
    Lesser known than the monuments of these iconic locations, such as Yosemite's Half Dome, are the trodden trails throughout these protected lands. Our national parks and forests depend on a complex system of handmade trails to safely lead journeyers to their many natural attractions. In turn, those trails depend on the labor of foresters, rangers, and volunteer workers to keep them serviceable for trek after trek.
    Trail systems within protected parks, forests, and other landscapes, are specifically designed with both the host habitat’s best interests in mind, and that of the visual pleasure of the hiker’s experience. Informal trails hinder this effort by “[penetrating] into protected landscapes and habitats, threatening ecological integrity, aesthetics, and visitor experiences” (Leung 93).
   The purpose of this essay is to “promote the conservation and responsible use of [our] mountains, rivers and forests” (Demrow vii) through the effort of volunteer trail maintenance.

Body:
      1. Brief history of conservation
          -To be determined
          
      2. Major trails associated with protected lands
          Source B & E

      3. The use and value of trails
          Source B, C & E

     4. Aesthetics and Flow = Formal Trails
         Source A, B & C

     5. Problematic informal trails
         Source A, C & D

     6. Trail maintenance and volunteering = Trail Work Parties
         Source A, D & E

Conclusion:

1. Restate thesis
2. Compelling main points (summary)
3. Paint a picture- Imagine if nobody cared for our trails, so then people stopped hiking them, then nobody bothered to go to the national parks, forests, or other protected lands because they wouldn't be able to get to their monuments/attractions. Then the government might cut back even more on conservation budgets, foresters and rangers might quit due to pay/hour decrease. If/when intense natural disasters within these lands happen, such as wildfires, they would be without the resources to control them. Lacking (trails) a way to lead, (protected lands) things get forgotten and taken advantage of. ----needs better wording.