A rule made to be broken: Research and education in Rocky Mountain National Park

Abstract

For four years during graduate school, I obtained a permit to conduct fisheries research in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. The permit always stipulated, "Research shall be conducted out of the sight and sound of park visitors." I never understood the reason for this rule. Perhaps visitors might consider my research methods harsh. (Certainly the fish - captured by electrofishing and regurgitating their gut contents for the benefit of science - would think so.) Perhaps seeing a researcher at work, deep in the backcountry, would interfere with a visitor's nature experience. A reason for the provision was never given, so I can only guess.

Citation

McGrath, Claire C. 2006. A rule made to be broken: Research and education in Rocky Mountain National Park. American Currents. Winter: 20-24.