Turning Over a New Leaf: National Park Service Commission, 1956
Every year, more than 300 million visitors flock to escape into the pristine wilderness of the nation's 63 national parks. Today, these sites are designed for tourism; they are accessible by road, navigable by posted signage, and filled with stocked fishing spots, lakes, and well-curated visitor centers. However, for much of their history, national parks were not designed with the tourist in mind. National parks were preserved wilderness, largely untouched by human activity. Visitors found rugged adventure in parks' hazardous dirt roads, crumbling stone lodges, and the danger of untamed Mother Nature. However, following WWII, the advent of the interstate system brought people to the parks like never before. By mid 1955, it was clear that something had to change.
In this committee, delegates will find themselves thrust into the deliberations of the National Park Commission as it seeks to design and implement Mission 66: a comprehensive redesign of park infrastructure, policy, and structure. Change is needed: Deferred maintenance and insufficient infrastructure have made the parks unsafe for visitors. Still, many view the project as compromising park values and conservation goals to create a tourist trap and will do anything to counter construction, even as death tolls rise. With Cold War tensions at their zenith, delegates must navigate the political complexities of 1950s America even as they fight the technical, economic, and environmental battles involved in modernizing the nation's parks to create safe places for people to enjoy nature for decades to come.
Berni Guidi
Chair
Berni Guidi is a second-year studying business economics and public policy. He currently lives in Nashville, but he’s originally from Ft. Lauderdale so he’s way more of a Soflo guy. As well, Berni is a huge music fan (Gorillaz and Magdalena Bay).
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out via email: bernardog@uchicago.edu.
Beckett Nikitas
crisis director
Beckett Nikitas is a Second Year in The College, majoring in climate and sustainable growth. With a strong interest in the interface between climate and society, Beckett hopes to leverage tools from both spheres to help address the climate crisis and prepare communities for the effects of a changing world. As a member of UChicago’s collegiate Model UN team and ChoMUN XXIX Chair, Beckett is looking forward to ChoMUN XXX and all of the excitement it holds. Outside of MUN, Beckett is a member of the UChicago Space Program, an avid french horn player, and serves as the duty officer program coordinator for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out via email: bnikitas@uchicago.edu.
Praxedis Velasco
crisis director
Praxedis Velasco is a Chemistry major in his second year at the college. His interest spread over multiple disciplines and focuses more on the jack of all trades master of none pursuit towards education. He plans to use these skills and mission to enter the medical field however he has prior experience in MUNC 38 as an AC, has spoken on behalf of his school district, and served his community at the ICU. Outside of formal settings and experience he enjoys running, speed cubing, and is part of the UChicago Triathlon team.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out via email: praxedis@uchicago.edu.
Secretariat oversight:
jacqueline agris, under-secretary-general