A recent discovery of graffiti along a trail in Zion National Park left a park ranger feeling really bummed out and prompted the following PSA about embracing the Leave No Trace principles while enjoying our pristine shared lands.
While removing graffiti further harms the rocks in Zion National Park, park officials subscribe to the broken windows theory whereby visible signs of disorder, like broken windows, litter, or graffiti can encourage further vandalism and removing them can help deescalate undesirable activities.
Since creating and removing graffiti harms the environment and is illegal in National Parks, please refrain from leaving your mark when visiting a park! Learn more below.
Zion National Park Graffiti PSA:
X marks the spot! And the spot, and the spot, and and and, oh no! Too many spots! Hey – do we actually even need to mark the spot at all?
We’re going to say no. We like our spots unmarked, thank you. This graffiti was all found on one trail on one day and really bummed out the ranger who found it. We hope every visitor can experience the wonders of Zion as they are, without anyone adding to the view.
Graffiti in Zion is a common problem. Even when erased, it causes rock erosion and degradation. That’s right, the creation of graffiti AND the removal hurts the rocks. Why remove it then, you ask? When left alone, graffiti creates more graffiti. People see other graffiti and think it’s okay to add more. Which just makes the problem worse. Seems like our only option is to follow Leave No Trace principles and just not create the graffiti in the first place. Also, remember, any kind of graffiti or vandalism in a national park is illegal.
So, how about no more marking of any spots, please. Your rangers and your fellow visitors will appreciate it!
Would you expect to see this in the Zion Wilderness? If you had a choice, would you want to? People come from all over the world to see Zion. Many of them have seen beautiful photos of canyons and sandstone formations. None of those iconic photos feature graffiti.
Graffiti is a growing problem on our public lands, possibly a side effect of their increasing popularity. As more and more people visit these places, the number of people that are misinformed can grow as well. There is no specific group to blame. Graffiti occurs on many trails and in many forms but make no mistake, leaving your mark behind is inappropriate and illegal. The Federal Magistrate has set the penalty for vandalism (a Class B Misdemeanor) at up to 6 months in prison and/or up to $5000.00 fine.
This is where you come in. You are visiting our National Parks. You are talking about them on social media. You have a voice too. Ask people to stop if you see them engaged this activity. Report what you see to a park ranger. Share your thoughts on social media. Spread the word. Take the Zion Pledge.
If you need specific reasons, try these:
-National Parks protect natural features as they are, you cannot improve them.
-National Parks belong to everyone today and in the future, you do not have their permission to damage them.
-Graffiti is a form of vandalism and is illegal. The proper way to visit a park is to Leave No Trace.
-Graffiti in any form usually damages an area for a long time.
-Humans have left their mark for thousands of years but today that is unnecessary and, given the sheer numbers of visitors, irresponsible. Use a post card, social media, or photo editing software, but don’t leave anything behind.
Related: Zion National Park Vandalized By “Art Project” Graffiti
