The iconic Route 66 represented the American dream, but according to The Guardian, only 85% of the route still exists today due to the redevelopment of the highway system.
The birthplace of the blues is also facing challenges in attracting tourists, which enables them to maintain historic sites and promote its musical history.
While the area is still popular with tourists, local preservationists are concerned about how they can maintain the quarter’s historic character amid modern societal pressures.
According to the Wilderness Society, “the Mojave Desert Mountains and their native plants and animals are threatened by poorly sited energy projects, mining, and uncontrolled off-road vehicle use.”
There are also concerns about the cultural sensitivity of the site, so preservationists are taking steps to address maintenance while respecting the site’s complex heritage.
While tourism is an essential source of income for the area, experts are attempting to find a balance between this and the environmental conservation of the falls.
Crucial to American westward expansion, the Oregon Trail is rich in history but is now facing threats from development and natural erosion.
It’s been shrinking for decades, killing off fish species that attract migratory birds and exposing lake bed that generates dust that is harmful to human health.