Abstract

Yosemite National Park has always been a National treasure of natural beauty, making it a popular tourist attraction by providing protection for unique geological formations, wildlife, and land of historic value. The parks mission is to provide recreation while educating and preserving the history and environment in which the park resides on. Recently, the mission of Yosemite National Park has been threatened by an increase in the number of people who visit the park annually and budget cuts that have a direct effect on the amount of resources the park has available to counteract the environmental impact of the rise of visitors. Each year, the number of visitors who attend Yosemite National Park rises dramatically, with the increase of attendance comes the increase of pollution, environmental degradation and overcrowding within the park. Finding Yosemite was created as a tool of communication to help educate potential visitors about the increasing environmental problems that currently jeopardize the environment of the park. Through interactivity and imagery, the goal of this online resource is to improve the public’s awareness of Yosemite’s environmental conservation initiative while still encouraging positive visitation. With this knowledge, park visitors will be able to make environmentally smart decisions that have a direct impact on the parks ecosystem. Visitors can learn about specific conservational issues and protection policies that the park is currently implementing. By exploring a map of the park, users can Learn about conservational issues in the topics of wildlife, geology and vegetation. Learn the ecological importance of specific wildlife, plants and geological features and how their survival impacts the parks ecosystem. Learn about current and future protection policies that the park is implementing View photos about each conservational topic Learn about the founding of Yosemite National Park and it’s conservational history Keywords: Conservation, Ecosystem threats, Glaciated landscape, Interactive Multimedia, National Parks Service, Pollution, Technology enhanced teaching, Topography, Yosemite National Park

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Yosemite National Park (Calif.)--Environmental conditions--Interactive multimedia; Yosemite National Park (Calif.)--Description and travel--Interactive multimedia; Nature conservation--California--Yosemite National Park--Interactive multimedia; Interactiv

Publication Date

11-1-2007

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

School of Design (CIAS)

Advisor

Schweppe, Marla

Advisor/Committee Member

Hane, Elizabeth

Advisor/Committee Member

Lachance, Patti

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: F868.Y6 W48 2007

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Share

COinS