Kathleen Armstrong watched the smoke rise over Mariposa, California, with dread. It was the Fourth of July, and wildfires were again threatening the town near Yosemite. Memories of the destructive 2022 Oak fire spurred her to evacuate quickly, but this recent scare left her and her neighbours questioning the safety of the narrow escape routes they rely on.
Adding to their worries, Kampgrounds of America (KOA) plans to open a new camping and glamping site nearby, potentially bringing up to a thousand visitors. Locals fear this influx would worsen evacuation challenges, strain resources, and stress ecosystems already battered by drought, heatwaves, fires, and floods due to climate change.
Mariposa isn’t alone. Communities near Mammoth Lakes, Zion National Park, and other natural areas across the U.S. are also grappling with the impacts of increased tourism. While outdoor recreation brings $1.1 trillion annually to the U.S. economy, the environmental toll on fragile regions like Mariposa is leaving residents torn between economic gains and safeguarding their homes and natural surroundings. Read More
News Credit: The Guardian
Picture Credit: Noah Berger/AP