Is Social Media Ruining Nature?

    In February 2019, the fields around Lake Elsinore, California, exploded with color. Thousands of bright-orange poppies burst into bloom. It was a beautiful sight—the flowers and the hills and the clear blue sky.

    Then the people arrived. 

    It started with a few posts on Instagram. News of the poppy bloom spread quickly. Soon, more than 100,000 visitors clogged the tiny town. They left the trails looking for the perfect photo. They picked blossoms and stomped on flowers. Finally, the town’s mayor tried to block off the poppy fields. He begged people to stay away. 

    Nature lovers began to blame social media for the mess. They responded to poppy photos on Instagram with angry comments. “Stop ruining the flowers for your selfish selfies,” one person wrote. 

    In a few weeks, the flowers—and the crowds—were gone. But a big question remained: Is social media bad for nature?

    Lake  Elsinore, California, is surrounded by fields. In February 2019, the fields became colorful. Thousands of poppy flowers bloomed. They were bright orange. It was a beautiful sight. 

    Then the people came. 

    It started on Instagram. A few posts showed the flowers. News of the poppy bloom spread quickly. Soon, the tiny town had more than 100,000 visitors. They wanted the perfect photo. They walked off the trails. They stomped on flowers. They picked flowers too.

    People who love nature blamed social media for the mess. They made angry comments on poppy photos on Instagram. “Stop ruining the flowers for your selfish selfies,” one person wrote. 

    In a few weeks, the flowers were gone. The crowds were gone too. But a big question remained: Is social media bad for nature?

    In February 2019, the fields around Lake Elsinore, California, exploded with color as thousands of bright-orange poppies bloomed. The flowers, green hills, and clear blue sky made for a beautiful site.

    Then the people arrived. 

    A few posts on Instagram were all it took. News of the poppy bloom spread quickly, and soon more than 100,000 visitors clogged the tiny town. In search of the perfect photo, they left the trails. Along the way, they picked blossoms and stomped on flowers. Finally, the town’s mayor attempted to block off the poppy fields and begged people to stay away. 

    Many people blamed social media for the mess. Nature lovers angrily responded to poppy photos on Instagram. “Stop ruining the flowers for your selfish selfies,” one person wrote. 

    After a few weeks, the flowers—and the crowds—were gone. But an important question remained: Is social media bad for nature?

    Social media has changed how we share photos. Travelers used to share their nature photos with a few friends. Now people post their favorite spots on Instagram. Thousands of strangers can see the posts. 

    More people are visiting wilderness areas because of the posts. That worries some experts. They say the attention hurts these places. 

    Instagram started in 2010. Since then, visits to national parks have gone up. Some places are getting overrun with visitors. Trails are worn down by too much foot traffic. Curious hikers go into the woods. They leave trash behind. 

    Some travelers even bother the animals. Last year, a visitor was in Yellowstone National Park. She tried to get close to a bison. She wanted a selfie with the bison. The bison wasn’t happy. It stuck her with its horns. It seriously injured her.

    Social media has transformed the way we show our love of nature. Travelers used to show photos of sunsets and mountains to a few friends—in person. Now people post their favorite spots on Instagram for thousands of strangers to see. 

    Because of these posts, wilderness areas are getting more visitors. This worries some experts. They say the most beautiful places on Earth are being harmed by the increased attention. 

    From the time Instagram was launched in 2010, visits to national parks have gone up. As a result, some places are getting overrun. Foot traffic is wearing down small, fragile trails. Curious hikers wander into the woods and leave trash behind. 

    And some travelers just can’t stay away from the wildlife. Last year, a visitor to Yellowstone National Park tried to get close to a bison for a selfie. The bison, annoyed, stuck her with its horns—and seriously injured her.

    Many places have put new rules in place to protect nature. Some places now let in only a set number of visitors each day. Others ask people to be careful about what they post.

    In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, officials have asked visitors to stop geotagging their posts. Other people have criticized influencers who don’t respect nature. (An influencer is a person who uses a large social media following to advertise products.) 

    Jaci Marie Smith is an influencer. She was one of the first people to discover the poppy bloom. She sat in the flowers. She showed off a $7.99 set of press-on fingernails. Her photos got more than 60,000 likes. They also got many angry comments. “Illegal,” wrote one person. “Try caring more about the world and others than yourself.”

    Some places have adjusted to the new crowds by limiting the number of visitors allowed each day. Others are asking people to be more careful when they post.

    Officials in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, have asked visitors to stop geotagging their posts. Other people have criticized influencers who show a lack of respect for nature. (An influencer is a person who uses a large social media following to advertise products.) 

    Jaci Marie Smith, for instance, was one of the first people to discover the poppy bloom. Her photos—which show her sitting in the flowers, displaying a $7.99 set of press-on fingernails—got more than 60,000 likes. They also got many angry comments. “Illegal,” wrote one person. “Try caring more about the world and others than yourself.”

    So should people stop posting about natural places? Most experts say no. Nature travelers buy things when they visit a place. That helps support the economy of that place. Posts about nature can also make people more interested in the outdoors.

    But think before you post, experts say. Don’t post a specific location. Use a general tag. And post photos that show you respect nature. 

    Do you love the outdoors? Then don’t just post about it. Visit websites for state and national parks. Volunteer to help build trails. You can also clean up litter or observe wildlife.

    That’s what Brian Modena wants people to do. He’s an official in Jackson Hole. He says it’s better to learn about an area from local residents. 

    And to do that, you have to put away your phone.

— With reporting by The New York Times and Chrisanne Grisé

    So should posting about your favorite hidden places become a thing of the past? Most experts say no—because nature travelers help support the economy in many areas. Furthermore, social media can prompt people to take a greater interest in the outdoors. 

    Instead, experts advise you to think before you post. Use a general tag instead of a specific location, and consider what your photos show. Will they encourage other people to respect the places you love? 

    And if you really love the outdoors, then do more than post about it. Visit the websites for state and national parks and search for volunteer opportunities, such as helping to build trails, clean up litter, or observe wildlife.

    That’s exactly what Brian Modena hopes to see. He’s one of the Jackson Hole officials who asked travelers to stop geotagging their posts. He says learning about the area from local residents results in a better experience. “We want people to have a real connection to nature,” he explains. 

    And that happens only when you put away your phone.

— With reporting by The New York Times and Chrisanne Grisé