Bummer photos out of Zion Nation Park where park officials documented a trailside game of tic-tac-toe that while likely innocent, is still very much vandalism. The game board was etched into sandstone deposited between approximately 110 –270 million years ago and is not only unsightly, it also damaged the habitats for lichen and microorganisms and destroying desert varnish (thin, dark mineral coating of manganese, iron oxides, and clay found on exposed rock surfaces in arid environments).
Graffiti is unfortunately growing problem on our public lands, possibly a side effect of their increasing popularity. As more and more folks visit these incredible 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.
“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.” -Zion National Park
Here’s Zion National Park’s message to the recent tic-tac-toe players, let it be a lesson to us all:
ZION NATIONAL PARK:
Zion rocks!… but graffiti doesn’t.
Help take care of your national parks! That includes not drawing on the rocks. Sandstone is easily damaged, which makes removing vandalism difficult. To make matters worse, once someone defaces an area, other people tend to copy their behavior, and the problem can quickly spiral out of control.
Even something like a quick game of tic-tac-toe can cause lasting harm to the ecosystem when it’s scratched into rock – damaging habitats for lichen and microorganisms, destroying desert varnish, and causing unsightly scars on the landscape.
Remember to leave no trace during your visit not just because it’s illegal, but because it’s the right thing to do!
