The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon National Park contains one of the most well known natural wonders of our country: The Grand Canyon. It is located in Arizona. Over the years, the Grand Canyon has attracted many visitors, and today the park sees nearly five million visitors yearly (NPS, History & Culture). It has always been a target for human interest, going back to the days where Native Americans ruled the land and continuing through present times. However, like the rest of our natural world, the Grand Canyon faces many threats, mainly due to humans. What are these things that threaten the Grand Canyon, what is being done to combat them, and what else can be done to protect the Grand Canyon National Park? Within the Grand Canyon lays the Colorado River, which scientists believe carved it out 17 million years ago, much earlier than the previous estimate of 6 million years (Wilford). The river consumes the area over time, eventually forming the magnificent canyon that we see today. The canyon runs east-west so it has a North Rim and a South Rim. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and 5,000 feet deep (Grand Canyon Facts). It contains several ecosystems and hundreds of unique species of animals and over a thousand species of plants (Grand Canyon Facts). The Grand Canyon contains very old objects that date from up to 12,000 years ago (NPS, History & Culture), back to early Native American culture. Therefore, it has been known to, used by, and been occupied by humans for a very long time. According to the U.S. National Park Service, “the park has recorded over 4,800 archeological resources with an intensive survey of nearly Le 2
3% of the park area” (NPS, History & Culture). The Grand Canyon was first given federal protection in 1893, but it wasn’t for nearly another 30 years that it would become a National Park.
3% of the park area” (NPS, History & Culture). The Grand Canyon was first given federal protection in 1893, but it wasn’t for nearly another 30 years that it would become a National Park.
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