ABNC’s Grassland Blog Series
The Uneasy Balance Between Ecological Preservation and Public Access
Written by Eric Kowalski
Across parks, forests, and protected landscapes, a persistent tension shapes modern conservation: how to safeguard fragile ecosystems while still welcoming people into the natural spaces they cherish. This dilemma is not new, but it has grown sharper as climate pressures intensify, outdoor recreation surges in popularity and there is growing awareness of the benefits to human health of accessing nature.
At the heart of the issue lies a paradox. Public access helps build the constituency that protects nature. People who hike old-growth trails, paddle quiet lakes, or watch salmon return to their natal streams often become the strongest advocates for conservation. Yet the very act of visiting these places can degrade them. The relationship between recreation and impact isn’t always linear; even low levels of use can have a significant impact. Foot traffic compacts soil, disturbs wildlife, spreads invasive species, and accelerates erosion. This becomes even more of an issue when people and bikes move off designated trails, creating what are often referred to as ‘rogue’ trails. Habitat becomes even further fragmented, erosion increases, delicate plants, ground-nesting birds and other species are disturbed or destroyed…the cumulative effects can be, and usually are, devastating. Add dogs to the mixture – even if on leash – and the problem gets much much worse.
Even the most careful and well-meaning visitors can unintentionally harm the ecosystems they come to admire. The human presence itself can alter wildlife patterns, even without significant trail or other construction. And the greater the number of people accessing an area, the greater their impact on the plants and animals that rely on undisturbed areas for their very survival.
Thus, those responsible for stewarding natural areas are left navigating a delicate middle ground. Too much restriction risks alienating the public and quite possibly weakening public support for long term protection. Too little oversight can undermine ecological integrity, sometimes irreversibly. Solutions often involve a mix of strategies: seasonal closures to protect sensitive species, trail design that channels use away from vulnerable areas, visitor quotas in high impact zones, and education campaigns that cultivate a culture of stewardship rather than consumption. Far too infrequently, highly sensitive areas can be designated as ‘off-limits’ to public access.
Ultimately, the tension between preservation and access is not a problem that can be ‘solved’ once – it’s a relationship that needs to be continually managed. It requires that communities recognize that natural spaces are both shared treasures and living systems with limits. People’s ‘right’ to access natural areas must be paired with the equal responsibility to view ecological health as the foundation for managing an area, rather than an afterthought. Thoughtfully and ethically managed, public enjoyment and preservation can thus reinforce rather than undermine each other.
So, by all means, get into the outdoors and experience all the mental and physical benefits the experience can bring! But the next time you step out into Nature, take a moment to pause and reflect on not just what you are seeing and experiencing but equally, what Nature herself may be experiencing – and, potentially, suffering – as a result of your presence.
Not so “Fun” Facts about Humans and Wildlife
• Prior to European contact, grizzly bears were not primarily mountain creatures but rather had a much wider distribution that included plains, valleys, and coastal areas. As human development expanded westward in the 1800s, the bears were driven into more isolated, mountainous, and rugged terrain. Today, what we consider “traditional” grizzly habitat is actually a reduced, remnant habitat resulting from over two centuries of being ‘squeezed out’ of their natural homes by human incursion.
• Wild animals that cannot tolerate human disturbance are generally shy, specialized, or apex predators that require large, undisturbed core habitats to survive. Human presence, noise, and infrastructure development—such as roads, hiking trails, or snowmobiling—can cause these species to abandon preferred feeding or breeding grounds, leading to increased stress, lower reproductive success, and potential starvation. Some of these species include: Grizzly Bears; Wolverines: Gray Wolves; Mountain Goats; Mountain Caribou (Woodland Caribou); Bighorn and Dall Sheep; Badgers; Bats (Maternity Colonies and Hibernacula); and, Cougars (Mountain Lions)
Most Damaging Recreational Activities include:
o Off-Road Vehicle Use: Identified as the most common recreational threat to species at risk.
o Hiking: While generally low-impact, the high volume of participants makes it a significant cause of trail widening and erosion.
o Boating and Water Sports: Causes severe shoreline erosion and aquatic habitat degradation;
o Camping: Results in concentrated damage to vegetation and soil in designated and undesignated sites.
Eric was born and raised in Vernon (as was his mother!) and has a deep and abiding love for the unique and fragile ecosystems of this region. Since returning to Vernon upon his retirement in 2022, he has directed his energies toward supporting the North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club, with its 75 year history of advocating for responsible stewardship of this incredibly beautiful area.