International Nature Preserve: Difference between revisions

| image_skyline                  = Blomsterbugten(js).jpg

| image_caption                  = View of Maziksound, International Nature Preserve

| image_flag                      = Nature preserve flag.png

| leader_name                    = Patrice Cesco

| established_date                = 2018

The idea of an international nature preserve was discussed as early as the years immediately following the [[First Great War]], but no international body existed that could govern such a location and siting the preserve was a contentious issue. Most advocates argued the preserve had to be completely free of sovereign influence, and few nations which otherwise supported the project were willing to surrender territory for such a purpose. Land in northern [[Crona]] - particularly within sparsely populated portions of [[Venua'tino]], which had been under [[League of Nations]] authority since 1967 - became a viable option during [[The Deluge]] as the region received renewed international attention. The League of Nations subsequently passed a Preserve Act authorizing the creation of a preserve in 2016. A land survey conducted in 2017 found significant non-populated and non-grazing areas which were suitable for use, and the Cronan preserve was formally designated in 2018.

As provided in the [[Code of the League of Nations]], the [[Provost-General_of_the_League_of_Nations#Protected_Lands_and_Sea_Lanes_Authority|Protected Lands and Sea Lanes Authority]] of the [[League of Nations]] is formally responsible for the administration of the preserve. The Authority maintains a set of laws - the Basic Statute of Conduct in the International Nature Preserve - as well as four agencies which operate primarily within the Preserve: the Maintenance and Facilities Agency, the Ecological Studies Agency, the Preserve Hospital and Wellness Agency, and the Preserve Security Force. These agencies provide for the basic day-to-day function within the preserve, and the Security Force is responsible for preventing poaching as well as hazardous dumping of materials. The Authority, though based out of [[Alba Concordia]], functionally operates out of its headquarters in Aurora City within the Preserve. Within the Authority, the Commissioner of Protected Lands and Sea Lanes has deputed day-to-day executive authority within the preserve to the Deputy Commissioner for the Nature Preserve (DCNP). The site is funded by the League of Nations directly, by usage fees, and by some national agreements to fund the project.

The [[Code of the League of Nations]] provides that every member of the League of Nations may construct one research and observation facility within the preserve, limited to fifty researchers at any given time. Forty two nations have constructed such facilities, most of them in the wilderness areas. The Code also allows for tourist use of the preserve and the limited construction of hotels and hostels. Since the formation of the park, the Authority has only authorized hotels and hostels in one location - Aurora City - and it limits the entire preserve to no more than 35,000 concurrent tourists.

In the northwestern corner of the Northern Wilderness Area sits the International Seed Redundancy Facility. Mostly underground, this large structure serves as secure backup facility for the world's crop diversity. It maintains all agricultural products widely used as well as most types of flora currently known. The Facility provides security of the world's food supply against the loss of seeds in genebanks due to mismanagement, accident, equipment failures, funding cuts, war, sabotage, disease and natural disasters. Constructed between 2018 and 2020, most of the structure sits 500 ft within a sandstone mountain in the preserve. It was designed by [[Urcea|Urcean]] engineering firms to be able to withstand a direct hit from a 200kt nuclear bomb. The complexity and robustness of the site lead to significant construction issues, as all of the equipment and materials had to be flown in via helicopter. Sitting far above sea level and far from major tectonic activity, the area is considered safe from most natural and manmade catastrophes. The seeds are stored in sealed three-ply foil packages and then placed into plastic tote containers on metal shelving racks. The storage rooms are kept at −18 °C (−0.4 °F). Many of the principles of seed preservation and the methods employed by the Facility were based on procedures perfected at the [[Polar World Archive]], a facility operated by [[Metzetta]].

 

The Geodesic Climate "City" is an expansive area about 20 miles from Aurora City which has forty freestanding climate controlled geodesic domes designed for preservation of foreign flora, insect life, as well as small mammals and amphibians. The domes retain much of the sun's natural heat due to the way they are constructed and need only modest electric heat powered by a nuclear reactor (the Geodesic Nuclear Power Facility) constructed about ten miles from the dome city. Most of the forty domes are about 100 feet in diameter and they are maintained by the Ecological Studies Agency. Each dome is intended to preserve a specific region's flora and fauna, and accordingly the climate controls in each match conditions of the source of the creatures and plants. Strict policies preventing cross-contamination are in place. The dome city began construction in 2019 and was completed in 2024, with significant delays due to the [[Final War of the Deluge]].  

 

One dome, which contains a carefully curated mix of bugs and small animals from across the world, is open to the public year round. The "zoo dome" has become famous for its variety of colorful butterflies, who thrive in the dome's conditions and are easily seen in large numbers. Another well known dome is [[Kikpar]], which preserves flora and fauna native to central [[Sarpedon]] including [[Kikpari]]. In 2027, the Kikpari attempted to break out of the dome, injuring several researchers in the process before being suppressed.

Aurora City is the primary population center of the preserve and the only location where "civilian" economic activity is allowed. The permanent population of the City is about 2,000 and its primary economic sectors are government, tourism and transportation. The only large airport and seaport within the preserve are located in Aurora City. It has a small downtown area with shops, restaurants, and one [[Catholic Church]], Our Lady of the Snows, which is part of the Archdiocese of [[New Harren|Port St. Charles]]. Hotels are the most prominent structures in Aurora City, though the large Protected Lands and Sea Lanes Authority complex is the largest building in town, and it serves as the de facto governmental headquarters for the preserve. The city's location, an old Venua'tino fishing village, was chosen due to its natural sheltered harbor as well as stunning mountain views. Within Aurora City, the [[Taler]] is used as the de facto currency of exchange, and a majority of foreign visitors are from the [[Levantine Union]] or [[Nysdra Sea Treaty Association]].