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Interior Secretary Salazar Welcomes Teresa Chambers Back As U.S. Park Police Chief

Jan 21st - 19:05pm | Anonymous

Wow, you guys never let go of this mule thing, do you?

Jan 21st - 14:19pm | Anonymous

You're very correct, Ranger. Just try and EVEN discuss the Grand Canyon Mule Issue with with anyone that works for either the Concessionaire or NPS at the Canyon.

Jan 21st - 13:37pm | Ranger Bill

A mere seven years after having the audacity to speak the truth to power, she gets her job back. Great for her, but not exactly inspiring to other would be whistle-blowers in the NPS.

Annual Count Shows Huge Decline In Yellowstone National Park Elk Herd, But How Accurate Is It?

Jan 21st - 18:55pm | anonymous

There have been too many elk in the herd for over forty years. So what exactly is the problem with this count? Anyone who has spent more than five minutes in the park would notice the negative impacts from an overabundance. That is if they are intellectually honest with themselves.

Jan 21st - 12:49pm | wyowind

A study recently has shown that fewer elk cows are even pregnant in wolf populated areas. They are run and spooked to the point that they don't have the nutrition necessary to carry a pregnancy. In nature, the female is most important, keeping her alive comes first, so nutritional intake, whatever it may be, will go to maintain the life of the cow. The fetus or embryo will be reabsorbed.

Jan 20th - 15:39pm | Anonymous

How is it the wolf lovers don't realize the a wolf doesn't actually have to bleed out an elk to kill it. They starve them to death in whole herds in the back canyons or run them to exhaustion in the deep snow causing them to die from the elements. It's a sad thing that we have let this issue get so far out of control!

Jan 20th - 15:34pm | Anonymous

Hell yes 32 wolves can kill 1,400 elk! Have you ever researched how wolves kill..? How many ungulates they kill, not just for food, but, also for sport and teaching. It is estimated that each wolf kills an ungulate for food every two weeks, and, for each one they kill for food there is another taken down for the sport/teaching.

Traveler's Checklist: Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Jan 21st - 13:54pm | Ranger Bill

That should be Alley is located on Route 106, not 160, which is further south. * GREAT ARTICLE! [* Nice catch. The type has been corrected. Ed.]

Business Survey On Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Management Plan's Impacts Points to Uncertainty

Jan 21st - 12:19pm | y_p_w

Well - Kurt brought up the Endangered Species Act. That's pretty much the neutron bomb of all federal laws. I've literally seen it stop private development in its tracks (look up the San Francisco garter snake for examples). No doubt there are a bunch of competing laws on the books, and it'll be up to the courts to decide.

Jan 21st - 11:46am | Ron Saunders

I have not read all of it yet but, have scanned some of it so far. Speaking of the website ( history/caha) provided by Ginny in her above post. I will read all of it and particularly the letters to the people "Bankers" where promises were made as well as requests asked of them. I believe the order of the day during the time of these writings was that A Mans Word Was His Bond.

Jan 21st - 06:53am | Matt Stubbs

Well Kurt I will say that if wilderness is what they want then let them have pea island, but this will not satisfy them as they were already given pea island and now they want more. Look back a little further and realize humans changed the landscape of this island to fit there needs in the 30's with the CCC. You cannot simply reference keeping this a wilderness and preclude people from access.

Jan 21st - 04:12am | Anonymous

So the NPS is actively destroying OUR wilderness by putting thousands of stakes, signs, strings. People and ORVs are and have not destroyed any wilderness.

Jan 20th - 18:50pm | Kurt Repanshek

Ginny, thanks for linking to this report. It lays an interesting foundation for the current debate over access, which, as you no doubt know, dates back to the 1940s. While this is certainly a tough issue for all involved, the administrative history also mentions "wilderness" and specifically references Congress's intent that Cape Hatteras contain "primitive wilderness."

Jan 20th - 17:43pm | Ginny

Once again, read the NPS administrative history. The park was set aside for recreation and the DOI promised a road and to support the continued development of the fledgling tourist economy that existed at the time the park was proposed. The naturalists lost on this one area and they have been trying to wiggle their way back in ever since.

Jan 19th - 13:20pm | Matt Stubbs

Artie I hope to see you one day at the point, but it will not be during the summer due to closures neither one of us will be allowed. I will say that when I go to the point I like to spend better part of a day there and you cannot do that long of a stay with children without having the items kids require sunscreen, food, water, maybe a chair for the wife and a rod in my hand.

Jan 19th - 13:12pm | Ron Saunders

Artie, All due respect and I appreciate where you are coming from but, I suspect you just gave a few fishermen/women that frequent "the point" their chuckle for the day. Ron

Jan 19th - 12:39pm | Ron Saunders

Anon 8:43

Grand Canyon National Park Officials Release Stock Use Plan, Including Mule Ride Quotas

Jan 21st - 11:22am | Ghost Writer

Submitted by 20 year veteran of rides originating from North Rim, KM:

Jan 20th - 21:45pm | Laurie

I think that the hikers who don't want to share the trails with the mules are selfish and ill-informed, with a large sense of self-entitlement. If they don't like the mules, then why don't they hike on some of the other more than 250 miles of trails in the canyon? Why do they insist on the (relatively) easiest trail, the BA for their use?

Jan 20th - 00:34am | Keeper

Submitted Public Comment by Keith Green, long time Canyon Resident and NPS Interpretive Ranger, Retired.

Jan 19th - 18:43pm | JIM-VT

This is really good news for Grand Canyon hikers that stay at Phantom Ranch. Currently, Phantom Ranch has 4 hiker dorms (two male and two female dorms - each with 5 bunk beds for 10 people), and 12 historic cabins. As many of you might know, it is extremely difficult to get reservations for either, and the phone lines to Xanterra are jammed for hours on the first day of each month.

The Skiing's Good At Acadia National Park

Jan 21st - 09:15am | Steve Nelson

I wish I was in shape to do that! Those carriage roads cover a lot of territory.

Late Sen. Ted Stevens Honored With Mountain In Denali National Park and Preserve

Jan 20th - 21:21pm | Jon Merryman

How symbolic that the King of pork barrel spending should have a mountain named after him -- to represent that mountain of debt he left behind for the rest of us and our children's children to pay off.

National Park Mystery Photo 31 Revealed: Lewis Mountain Negro Area Sign Exhibit at Shenandoah

Jan 20th - 19:09pm | desi cortez

Thank you for telling and showing the truth, how so very separate and unequal this nation was.

Updated: The National Park Foundation And The Special "National Parks Edition" Toyota FJ Cruiser

Jan 20th - 17:34pm | Jenn

Irresponsible and a clear lack of good judgment. "The issue of carbon footprints, the issue of responibility for emissions, we’re not trying to fight that battle." If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem...

Coming to A Classroom Near You: Gulf Islands National Seashore

Jan 20th - 16:54pm | Keeper

The things you speak of, Matt, I've been watching since I was a little kid. I am/was ALWAYS outside somewhere in the best playground in the universe. I felt/feel that I'm actually "A PART" of it all. Part of the food chain, getting hammered at times but accepting my punishment :).

Jan 20th - 16:39pm | Ryan

It is an opportunity for someone in Kansas to see what it's like on the Gulf of Mexico...might spark a young mind to want to visit one day.

Jan 20th - 16:24pm | y_p_w

I'm just thinking that you choose the wrong articles to air your views. Gulf Islands NS is in no danger of selling of or closing off to the public. They still encourage in-person educational field trips, along with educational fee waivers. This "electronic field trip" looks to be simply a supplemental program to reach out to the widest possible audience.

Jan 20th - 14:31pm | Matt Stubbs

Depends on the party...I just do not like the road we are headed as a society. With the severe limiting of access in Cape Hatteras I have become more cynical of the way things are portrayed.

Jan 20th - 13:38pm | y_p_w

Matt Stubbs: Welcome to the future of access to the National Park systems... You must be a lot of fun at parties. ;)

Jan 20th - 07:36am | Matt Stubbs

Welcome to the future of access to the National Park systems...

What Should Gettysburg National Military Park Do With Its Empty Cyclorama Building?

Jan 20th - 13:44pm | Anonymous

Y'all know that the ground is not to be restored to its "1863 condition" right? The NPS has revealed drawings for the site that show retention of the Rosensteel parking lot for more than 40 buses and some number of cars as well.

National Park Service Looking For Kids Interested in Becoming Junior Civil War Historians

Jan 20th - 12:11pm | Amy from visit-...

I think this is a great idea! Why isn't Gettysburg participating?

National Park Mystery Photo 31: A Reminder That Things Were Once Very Different

Jan 20th - 09:24am | Anonymous

Anon 1:29 - There is something to see here. It's important to remember our history (not ignore it) so that we (Americans) can learn from our mistakes and not repeat them.

Jan 19th - 13:35pm | Bob Janiskee

That's right, Anon 1:39 and Eric. The mystery photo shows part of an exhibit sign at the Byrd Visitor Center at Big Meadow. The sign is not a rehab job, Eric. It's just a sign that was made for exhibit purposes. It was never displayed at Lewis Mountain. Indeed, to the best of my knowledge it has never been displayed outdoors.

Jan 19th - 13:26pm | Kurt Repanshek

Yes, we can be picky. Particularly the professor;-) That said, you're right, Eric, it's in the visitor center. Tomorrow the professor will explain why.

Jan 19th - 13:15pm | Eric

Now you're getting really picky. Since the sign looks nice and clean it was clearly rehabbed. In that case it must be on exhibit. Therefore it is in a Visitor Center. Finally, for the sheer irony of it, and based upon your clues, I will have to conclude (guess) it is in the Byrd Visitor Center. Am I close?

Jan 19th - 12:39pm | Anonymous

I would assume it is located inthe park museum of some sort. You know showing the history of the park. I belive it had segragated facilities from 1939-1950 9internet) at lewis mountain as well as elsewhere.

Jan 19th - 12:29pm | Kurt Repanshek

Actually, anonymous, we're pretty picky about our Mystery Photos;-). And the sign can be seen in the park today....but where? That's the final aspect of this mystery.

The Traveler's First "Take Your Family to The National Parks" Essay Contest

Jan 20th - 07:15am | Connie Hopkins

Awesome idea! Letting my grand-daughters know!

Peeking Inside The Rangers Club At Yosemite National Park

Jan 19th - 17:28pm | Jeanne Lee

Admit it Dave, how we cleaned up after our fights so Bertha wouldn't get on our backs. Or when Maria and I put vegetables into Farrell and Henson's 'stew'. Uncle Fred was so cool, it was a family away from home in the RC, thanks to all of you that shared the experience with us!

Jan 19th - 15:25pm | dave cox

I had the privilege of living in the Ranger’s Club from 1970-72. It was truly one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Unfortunately, I did not fully appreciate my good fortune at the time. In fact, the first spring I was somewhat annoyed that the roar from the Lower Yosemite Falls made it difficult fall asleep at night.

Flamingo Lodge is No More

Jan 19th - 17:19pm | Reid Tillery

I loved staying at the old lodge, and eating at the restaurant. Had lots of good times there. No, it wasn't the fancy uptown place some people seem to always expect, but, hey, it was deep in the Everglades, and Flamingo was great for star gazing at night. I used to like the screened-in pool. And the mosquitoes--those pesky little flower pollinators--were all part of the wild experience.

Watching Climate Change Across the National Park System

Jan 19th - 17:02pm | Anonymous

The comment above is valid except the part about the wheels falling off Climate Change. We have to address all of this and it will take many people with many different focuses to do what needs to be done, so let's no attack one persons vocation if it helps the overall dilemma.

Jan 19th - 14:23pm | Anonymous

The wheels came off the "global climate change" more than a year ago. Let's move on to the really important areas that need our concern - such as just where to find the money to manage all the national park land added during the past two decades, what to do with all the waste materials our society generates, a realistic policy on DDT, etc.

Books We've Read, And Liked, in 2010

Jan 19th - 15:08pm | GREECE

Please, may I inform us: The First edition for PINDOS:NATIONAL PARK (Epirus-West Macedonia in Greece). It's a global cooperation for Pindos environment and civilazation. 400 p. , full colour, 30x23 cm, 2500 photos of famous scientist, visitors and photographers.

Reader Participation Day: How Important Are National Park Visitation Data to You?

Jan 19th - 13:53pm | electriclady281

I think that the more information available to potential visitors, the better. People visit the parks for varied reasons; one may be to avoid crowds, so monthly--or even weekly--visitation numbers would provide significant information, as would that on tours and activities for children, historical information, weather data, and any other information that would be interesting and helpful.

Reader Participation Day: Should Pets Be Given More Leeway in National Parks?

Jan 19th - 13:07pm | Richard Jerden

No dogs!

Jan 19th - 12:51pm | Richard Jerden

Most dog owners are oblivious to the negative impacts their animals have on others. I currently do not have a dog, but have had several in the past. I also have many close friends who have dogs. I have no doubt it is difficult to come up with hard difinitive empirical science which would satisfy. There are probably few researchers looking into this sorta problem.

Probe Raises Questions Over National Park Service Investigation at Hubbell Trading Post

Jan 19th - 13:06pm | Marjorie Hlava

This whole thing is thick with intrigue. If you want to help Malone....

The Essential RVing Guide

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So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.