Rick is a retired National Park Service employee. He served in 6 national parks, 2 regional offices, and in the Service's headquarters office in DC. Prior to his NPS career, he was a Peace Corps Volunteer, serving as a professor in the philosophy department in Paraguay's National University. He has worked extensively in Latin American as a protected area specialist.

Boulder, CO-based Claire Walter is an award-winning freelance writer specializing in travel, snowsports and food. She lives less than an hour from the east entrance to Rocky Mountain National National Park. The most exotic stamp in her National Parks Passport is from the Anaktuvuk Pass ranger station in Alaska's Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve.

Born in Nebraska in 1947...Swiss ancestory, adopted by Scotch/Dutch Irish parents, grew up in a Freestone Peach Orchard near the Missouri River...lots of iris and birds. Love Jesus because He first loved me...treasure the Creator's creation and thankful to be a part of it.

Bryan Faehner is the Associate Director for Park Uses at the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Bryan formerly worked as a seasonal park ranger at North Cascades National Park in Washington State. Bryan has a masters degree in public land policy and law from the University of Montana and currently works in Washington, DC.

A while ago I gave myself the goal of visiting all of the national parks in the NPS system- a goal I share with my wife (which makes things much easier!). It was on our first big parks trip that I found that photography was to become more than a casual hobby for me. Now we're nearing the halfway mark on our list and I'm excited to be able to share our experiences with everyone. 3 things you should have ...

Born in JEB Stuart Circle Hospital in Richmond, Virginia in 1965. Reside in Henrico County, just North of Richmond. Father, Husband, Surfer, Sailor, Snowboarder, Skier, Hiker, Kayaker, Canoeist, Photographer, PADI Certified DiveMaster, Rescue Diver, Wreck Diving Specialist, Blended Gas Diver, Aquarist, Retired Professional Musician. Mechanical Engineer by trade. Journeyman Machinist prior to Engineering. 21 years at same employ. CHNSRA Property Owner since 1993. Public Land Access Activist.

"Sabattis" is a frequent commenter and occasional contributor to National Parks Traveler. He currently prefers to remain anonymous while providing insights on some of the inner-workings of Washington as it relates to National Parks.

Jim Cureton is a retired project manager and business process consultant. He is also a photographer and musician. Jim grew up in Knoxville, TN and developed an early interest in National Parks, with regular visits to the nearby "Smokies" Beginning in the mid 60s, Jim began yearly trips to western national parks, particularly Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Yosemite, and now visits as frequently as possible. Some of Jim's photography can be found on his photography website at http://www.jimcureton.com

A former historian with the National Park Service, Richard Sellars is the author of "Preserving Nature in the National Parks: A History," which became the catalyst for the Natural Resource Challenge, a multi-year budget initiative by Congress to revitalize natural resource management and science in the national parks. Preserving Nature, which has received international notice, is a critical study of the conflicts between traditional scenery-and-tourism management and emerging ecological concepts in the national parks, spanning the period from the creation ...

Jim Burnett has had the unusual opportunity to enjoy not one, but two "dream careers." Three decades as a ranger with the National Park Service took him to eight parks: Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, Glacier, Buffalo River, Big Thicket, Lincoln Boyhood, National Capital Parks and Colonial. Most of his career was spent in "protection" duties (fire, search & rescue, emergency medical services, and law enforcement), but he also had the chance to work in natural resource management and interpretation. Following ...

Double Major in Economics and Environmental studies pretty much, and one of the Senior Volunteers at Boston Harbor Islands, a National Park Area

I'm an amateur ecologist, amateur writer, amateur photographer, amateur everything ad infinitum. I'm only 35, so I'll figure out what I want to be when I grown up. Plenty of time, yet. I suppose you could call me a professional coral farmer. Yes, I spend most of my days propagating coral for sale to the aquarium trade. There are probably very few people who handle as many live Cnidarians as I do, especially surprising given that I live in Michigan. ...

Hi, I am a National Parks traveler. I love the natural beauty found in these wonderful parks. I enjoy photographing the wild life and sights. This is a great site to keep up with all the news related to the National Parks.

My ultimate dream is to travel to all 50 states and visit every National Park. I'm not sure if I'll ever reach that goal, but I figure the journey will be incredibly worth the effort.

JOHN ADORNATO III is the Director of the Sun Coast Regional Office of National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice of the American people in protecting and enhancing our National Park System. The Sun Coast’s main campaigns are to work towards successful benefits of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan for the south Florida national parks and the protection of the resources and fishery of Florida Bay. John joined NPCA ...

I'm not lucky enough to work outdoors so I rely of insufficient vacation time to get out as often as possilbe. I've been to many of our Nat'l Parks, but hope to see them all at least once while trekking about. Love hiking, backpacking, paddling trips - whether for a day or extended. Even though I'm still living in the East (Maryland), I love everyplace I've been out West and hope to retire there sooner rather than later.

My interest in joining this forum are related to my concerns for Yosemite National Park and how the park intends to manage resources, moving forward, subsequent to the recent litigation, where the Ninth District Court has ruled in favor of Friends of Yosemite Valley, and their associates, of whom I have high respect for. As the late David Brower said, and I quote, "Yosemite should be a nature center, not a profit." Mr. Brower was a staunch supporter of Friends ...

Student/Park Naturalist currently living in Lexington, Kentucky. Eric is a former NPS seasonal ranger, having worked three seasons at Wind Cave National Park and three seasons at Carlsbad Caverns National Park.