Holly Hughes is the editor of the book “500 Places to See Before they Disappear“. She talks to us about ecotourism, preservation and conservation, and disappearing places in the NYC area.

1. When you wrote “500 places”, what was the time-frame you envisioned for the “disappearing” aspect?

Some destinations in the book are in more imminent danger than others, certainly. The time frame I had in mind was more like within the next seven years–provided nothing was done to save them. That’s an important clause.

2. Are there any destinations in the book which have already disappeared?

There are a few sights that have already been irreparably damaged, just to establish the point that sights do disappear. For example, there’s the Buddhas of Bamiyan, in Afghanistan, ancient sacred figures which the Taliban deliberately blew up in 2001. There’s a plan to replace them, but even if they’re rebuilt with fragments of the originals, they will still be only replicas.
Also of note: Pompey’s Pillar, in Billings, Montana, a rock formation that bears the only physical evidence of the Lewis & Clark expedition. The formation’s still there, but the sweeping Yellowstone Valley panorama that Lewis & Clark admired is now marred by a hulking set of high-speed grain elevators, which local activists tried and failed to prevent. It’s a sobering truth that sometimes the environmentalists fail.

3. Did you balance those with any success stories?

Yes, several destinations in the book were included not because they are in danger, but because they successfully preserve a species or an ecosystem that is threatened elsewhere. For example, I feature several beaches where the dwindling population of piping plovers still nest safely. Although the great sweeping prairielands of North America have largely disappeared, I directed readers to several small preserves across the U.S. where the prairie ecosystem has been wonderfully resurrected.

4. Since the book was published (in late 2008), have there been any new successes?

In January, the U.S. government ordered the modification or removal of 4 hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River in California and Oregon, thus restoring a crucial system for salmon and bald eagles. Also, I’ve read that the Egyptian government has taken steps to clear out the welter of souvenir stands and tour hustlers from the vicinity of the Great Pyramids.

5. Have there been any situations where the situation has gotten worse?

Well, soon after the book was published, the state of Florida announced that it was planning to buy back 181,000 acres of Everglades land from U.S. Sugar to restore the “river of grass” ecosystem. Since then, Florida’s budget crisis caused the governor to scale back the deal radically. That was a huge disappointment for environmentalists.

6. What percentage of the endangered destinations in the book are threatened by human actions?

It’s almost impossible to separate the man-made causes from the natural causes. Rising river levels in Europe, for example, which have endangered historic cities such as Florence and Prague – they’re impacted by climate change, which is to some degree cyclical but is also heightened by pollution and global warming. And deforestation of agricultural lands across central Europe has only exacerbated the problem.

7. Why did you include manmade sights – cities, historic buildings, cultural artifacts – alongside natural landscapes and animal species?

As I researched this book, it became clear that the creations of civilization were often threatened by the same forces that were destroying natural landscapes. I keep coming back to the spectre of the Hurricane Katrina devastation (another example, by the way, of a disaster caused both by natural forces and by human error).

8. What are some of the places in the Eastern Seaboard/Mid-Atlantic States/New England area that most concern you?

I have a personal attachment to the Adirondacks, which I first visited as a child visiting my grandfather’s cabin. With such a huge inter-related water system, it’s a constant struggle to prevent the invasion of non-native species. And as widespread as that protected area is, it’s still at the mercy of acid rain and rising mercury levels in the water. The loon population – which is what biologists call a “sentinel species,” reflecting the health of the entire food chain – is increasingly impacted by those stresses to the whole ecosystem.

9. Anything even more local to NYC?

The jury is still out on whether the historic amusements of Coney Island will be saved. The Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone are still in operation, but Astroland closed down in 2008. Beyond being an iconic 20th-century cultural scene, that was just a really cool small-scale place to take the kids on a summer afternoon. It makes me incredibly sad to think of it being swept away by real-estate redevelopment.

10. How do you reconcile the idea of urging readers to visit sights that are being damaged by too much tourism?

It’s a vexing question. The Galapagos Islands, for example, are worth seeing because their isolation preserved several unique ecosystems – the number of endemic species there is just amazing. But with so many visitors these days, the threat of non-native species is sharply on the rise. I still think it’s an important destination for anyone who cares about the environment, but if you’re going to visit, travel only with responsible tour companies that consider the environmental impact of their visits.

11. What about local authorities that over-exploit their own tourist attractions?

There certainly have been instances of mismanagement in places like Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, and Pompeii, all of which show the strain of too much tourism. Their local economies have grown so dependent on the tourist trade, however, that I don’t want to discourage travelers from going there. What we can do is to visit such sites more thoughtfully. Instead of taking your own car, go with a group tour. Go early in the morning or late afternoon when the crowds have eased off. Stay overnight near the sight so you can patronize local hotels and restaurants. And for goodness’ sake, respect rules about staying on paths and not touching artifacts.

12. Are there other destinations in the book that have been more thoughtfully managed?

I am impressed by what’s been done at the Acropolis – its new museum protects several original structures, which were being damaged by Athens’ air pollution. It’s not quite the same as seeing all the originals in place on the hilltop, but the replicas on the outdoor site are hard to tell from the originals. Stonehenge is another example – it was amazing in the old days when you could walk right up to the standing stones, but I’m still moved by the site, even though visitors are now kept at a distance. These are trade-offs we have to accept.

13. What do you hope your readers will take away from your book?

Don’t take anything for granted – the landscapes and historic buildings that are here today may not be here tomorrow, so see them now. And use your tourist dollars to support environmental change. Getting off the beaten path at a national park or nature preserve can be the highlight of your vacation, and will change you in ways you never expected.

Holly Hughes writes about travel for Frommer’s travel guides.