Editing National park (section)

==Economic ramifications==
Countries with a large [[ecotourism]] industry, such as Costa Rica, often experience a huge economic effect on park management as well as the economy of the country as a whole.<ref name="ahs.uwaterloo.ca">Eagles, Paul F.J. [http://ahs.uwaterloo.ca/~eagles/documents/TrendsbyEagles.pdf "Trends in Park Tourism: Economics, Finance and Management".] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105416/http://ahs.uwaterloo.ca/~eagles/documents/TrendsbyEagles.pdf |date=4 March 2016 }} In: ''Journal of Sustainable Tourism'' Volume 10, Issue 2, 2002, p. 134. {{doi|10.1080/09669580208667158}}</ref>

===Tourism===
{{See|Ecotourism}}
Tourism to national parks has increased considerably over time. In Costa Rica for example, a [[Megadiverse countries|megadiverse country]], tourism to parks has increased by 400% from 1985 to 1999.<ref name="ahs.uwaterloo.ca"/> The term ''national park'' is perceived as a [[brand name]] that is associated with nature-based tourism and it symbolizes a "high quality natural environment with a well-designed tourist infrastructure".<ref>Eagles, Paul F.J. [http://ahs.uwaterloo.ca/~eagles/documents/TrendsbyEagles.pdf "Trends in Park Tourism: Economics, Finance and Management".] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105416/http://ahs.uwaterloo.ca/~eagles/documents/TrendsbyEagles.pdf |date=4 March 2016 }} In: ''Journal of Sustainable Tourism'' Volume 10, Issue 2, 2002, p. 133. {{doi|10.1080/09669580208667158}}</ref>

===Staff===
The duties of a [[park ranger]] are to supervise, manage, and/or perform work in the conservation and use of park resources. This involves functions such as park conservation; natural, historical, and cultural resource management; and the development and operation of interpretive and recreational programs for the benefit of the visiting public. Park rangers also have fire fighting responsibilities and execute search and rescue missions. Activities also include [[heritage interpretation]] to disseminate information to visitors of general, historical, or scientific information. Management of resources such as wildlife, lake shores, seashores, forests, historic buildings, battlefields, archaeological properties, and recreation areas are also part of the job of a park ranger.<ref name="OPM.gov">U.S. Office of Personnel Management. ''Handbook of occupational groups and families''. Washington, D.C. January 2008. Page 19. [http://www.opm.gov/FEDCLASS/GSHBKOCC.pdf OPM.gov] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103205044/http://www.opm.gov/fedclass/gshbkocc.pdf |date=3 January 2009 }} Accessed 2 November 2014.</ref> Since the establishment of the National Park Service in the US in 1916, the role of the park ranger has shifted from merely being a custodian of natural resources to include several activities that are associated with law enforcement.<ref>R Meadows ; D L Soden In: [https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=110802 ''National Park Ranger Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Law Enforcement Issues.''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110437/https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=110802 |date=4 March 2016 }} Abstract. ''Justice Professional'' Volume:3 Issue:1 (Spring 1988) Pages:70–93</ref> They control traffic, manage permits for various uses, and investigate violations, complaints, trespass/encroachment, and accidents.<ref name="OPM.gov"/>