Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state is an icon and backbone of the Pacific North West. The park’s size of 369 sq. miles supports an array of wildlife, plant life and even supports humans through the glaciers. Before it was officially a National Park in 1899 the area was used for more than 9,000 years by Native Americans who used the land for natural resources. The park’s continued importance has shown throughout time, the park was even used as a training ground for the U.S. Army mountain divisions during WW2. More modern times have shown how crucial the park is for the Puget Sound region, consisting of 4.2 million people. Nine rivers that flow from the mountain’s glaciers provide clean water to this large mass of people. This abundance of water also supports the park’s enormous population of flora and fauna. With an estimated 964 plant species and 280 animal species, it would be catastrophic if something were to happen to the water. Along with this, the land is also used for recreation by climbers and for research by a plethora of scientists. Scientists utilize the park’s diverse features including the volcano, glaciers, plant life, and wildlife for research this research can help provide insight on environmental problems that the world faces. This picturesque park should not only be recognized for its beauty but also for how critical it is for the Pacific Northwest and for all living things in the area.
No comments:
Post a Comment