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Who Is the "Fringe Group" Behind the Yosemite Suit?

Jan 29th - 16:36pm | Ranger X

In 1892, John Muir founded a "fringe" group movement with only 182 members. The group was called the Sierra Club and pushed for the creation of the National Park Service and establishment and preservation of many iconic parks. Real change often seems to come from the so-called fringe.

Relevancy in the Parks Today

Jan 27th - 13:11pm | kath

It is a dilemma isn't it. Because as parks become more and more overrun and transportation in the parks becomes more and more regimented, I'm less likely to go. It's the 'nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded' conundrum.

Jan 26th - 15:49pm | repanshek

Kath, hot spots such as the South Rim during the summer months, Old Faithful, the Yosemite Valley, etc, are always going to be crowded, even if visitation were halved. And places such as Tokopah Falls, while perhaps too crowded for your comfort, I think are valuable in how they can quickly expose park newcomers and young families to the beauty that lies within the parks.

Jan 26th - 13:48pm | Snowbird

Ranger X: So, your a Bill Tweed fan, I've met him several times through the Sequoia Natural History Association. Yes indeed, he's a good prolific writer. I read one of his masterpieces (in my view) "Challenge Of The Big Trees"...very well researched and written.

Jan 26th - 13:10pm | kath

Good issue. But as National Parks become more crowded the experience there becomes more and more like a theme park. For instance, when I was there two years ago, the Grand Canyon had built a new visitor's center staging area for park visitors. From there you get on a tram to go the the rim. There are tram tours in Yosemite Valley.

Jan 26th - 12:18pm | Ranger X

"If we have to resort to games, gizmos and gasoline to make our national parks relevant, to get children interested in stepping into nature, to enjoy spotting a herd of elk in the soft evening light or giggle as the mud squishes between their toes when they step barefoot into a stream, then we surely will have made the national park concept irrelevant."

Jan 26th - 11:59am | jersu

Quite right, there is a big difference in the way the term "relevant" is being applied to the park experience. ARC seems to be using it in a macro sense, willing to transform parks to match consumer expectations, while park traditionalist use it in a micro sense, applying the term on a per-person basis.

A Rocky Mountain Birthday

Jan 26th - 16:48pm | Alan

I flew out to Estes Park in the late 90s for a rendezvous there of wildlands conservationists. And I couldn't escape the gut feeling that there was a community that should never have happened. I'd be interested in knowing just how many compromises, if any, were made when the park's boundaries were established.

Have National Parks Become Passe?

Jan 26th - 14:53pm | Snowbird

Ranger X, I agree with your concept of thinking here. However, there some whom graze the land far more than others and far more than their fair share...and needs. The question is how much is enough? I wish we all could (which I endorse) live like you in spartan simplicity...less of everything but the bare necessities for a reasonable comfortable living.

Jan 26th - 12:13pm | Ranger X

The "I'm better than you because..." attitude serves only to isolate the real issues. We are all to blame when it comes to environmental degradation, no matter what, or if, we drive.

Jan 26th - 10:40am | Snowbird

Dear Carol, so beautifully put and eloquently expressed. I'm waiting for Kurt's profound wisdom on the subject and Jim McDonalds comments. Should be interesting! Carol, I agree whole heartedly with your comments pertaining to the selfish subject who drives the SUV. My closes buddy, his dear son is in Iraq (marine corp) so that she can drive her 10 gallon per mile SUV...with pig selfishness.

Jan 26th - 08:50am | Carol

About John Locke: it seems to me, if you read Locke in his entirety, you see his focus is on a belief that it is better for everything should be held in commons, not private property, that then CONCEDES that's impractical in the selfish culture in which he lived, so adopted more of a "if you can't stop this cultural path you can at least try to minimize its damages"--but still advocated that every

Jan 25th - 19:28pm | Snowbird

Kurt, looking forward to your follow up blog on Jim's critique pertaining to your article: Have National Parks Become Passe. Should be interesting!...and can you dear Mustang Sally, learn to finish a sentence without interjecting some kind of malicious hate towards someone who disagrees with you. Peace to you baby!!

Jan 25th - 18:21pm | Sally

Uh...Snowbirdie...that's SIERRA not Sierra's...buy yourself a Harbrace!*snicker*

Jan 25th - 16:56pm | repanshek

Jim, good as always to hear from you. Thanks for the sneak peek of your thinking. Enjoy Miami and then get back to us. Be sure to read my next post on relevancy before you finish your response, though, as I'm sure it'll give you more fodder to respond to! Kurt

Jan 25th - 16:34pm | Jim Macdonald

Kurt, I think when it comes to Mather's vision, which is derived from the very foundational act of Yellowstone and the National Park Service, the reason I for one don't emphasize it is that I don't believe in it.

Jan 25th - 14:15pm | Snowbird

Rick, my lost soul brother. Yap! back in those day's Rick, I wore Jesus boots and had long hair while suantering through the mighty Sierra's. Damn, I miss those day's! Oh, yes Sally, and I wasn't on dope either...didn't have to be with all that clean mountain air.

Jan 25th - 12:52pm | Rick Smith

Hey Kurt--

Jan 24th - 20:16pm | Snowbird

Dear Mustang Sally: Not angry! I just have alot of fire in the belly and compassion to save a few precious things that your grandchildren can enjoy, like a National Park system that can fulfill it's responsibilties to it's visitors which has been mandated by Congress...not to be run on chicken feed. Sally, I really feel sorry for you. You know why?

Jan 24th - 18:41pm | Sally

Hey Snowbird...what's an "OVR vehicle"??? Dontcha mean ORV...Off Road Vehicle?? Get your terms straight if you're gonna trash talk. ...and why are you so angry?? All your posts are so angry! Have some peace and tolerance!

Jan 24th - 18:37pm | Sally

Hey Snowbird...I bet you eat your share of Big Macs!! LOL!!!

Jan 24th - 18:35pm | Sally

When folks are forced to ride shuttles and busses and sit next to and smell the awful body-odor stench of unbathed hippies/leftists, they will stay away. I have also talked to many people where I live who say that they wouldn't mind the parks sold to the highest bidder because they can't get into the park anymore because existing roads have been closed and turned to trails by treehuggers.

Jan 24th - 17:27pm | Random Walker

A nephew is never without the "10 Essentials" since reading "My Side of the Mountain" Another watches "Animal Planet" worrying about the Panda's habitat. Santa gave nephew number 3 a copy of "My Side of the Mountain." He is researching Alaska for an adventure. A niece is scrambling up rock walls following (and scaring) mom and dad.

Jan 24th - 10:44am | Snowbird

Kurt, your comments are well taken and most sobering that it should provoke a response from every park lover in the United States...perhaps aboard. I agree, the vision of Stephen Mather has lost it soul purpose what the National Parks should be today.

Groups Fighting Road Building In Death Valley

Jan 24th - 23:31pm | Ranger X

BGreen, First, "public oversight and exposure" can be done on foot. Second, if you're going to invent numbers, I'm not going to continue this conversation. 46,632,000 acres of wilderness in California? You'd have me believe that HALF the state is wilderness? Start giving me some sources or put down the crack pipe. Here are some facts/sources for you:

Jan 24th - 19:13pm | BGreen

"Listen (by Ranger X). My main point is this: There are already 785 miles of developed roads in Death Valley. How much is enough?"

Jan 24th - 18:10pm | Sally

...and Edward Abbey was known to always be under the influence of some heavy drugs...not to mention the fact that he was jealous of those who succeeded in life...but aren't most liberals on drugs?? LOL!!

Jan 23rd - 23:07pm | Ranger X

BGreen, I don't currently speak for the NPS, but I spoke with Ranger Charlie Callagan at Death Valley National Park who discussed the National Park Service's official position.

Jan 23rd - 18:22pm | repanshek

Hey, BGreen, swing and a miss. I can assure you that Ranger X and Alan are two different folks.

Jan 23rd - 18:16pm | BGreen

For those who desire to know more about Ranger X, and his personal exposure, education, and expertise regarding Death Valley biology and habitat... http://wolverines.wordpress.com/about/

Jan 23rd - 18:05pm | BGreen

Ranger X, Semantics and the Laws of this great land we choose to protect from exploitation are not "Meaningless mumbo jumbo." "The official policy of the NPS is to keep cars out of this area to preserve its wilderness characteristics." Ranger X, do you speak for the National Park Service?

Jan 23rd - 17:23pm | Snowbird

Hey Mustang Sally: You must shake your booties when you see trees. If you love plastic trees and concrete jungles stay at home in your smog filled backyard.

Jan 23rd - 17:15pm | Sally

Hey Ranger X: I LIKE the sound of motor vehicles...it adds to MY solitude, because when I can no longer hear it, I can compare the contrast between the two....

Jan 23rd - 17:09pm | RangerRichard

RIGHT ON BGreen!! Thanks for setting the record straight! We need more reasoned, intelligent minds like yourself on this blog!! Keep posting!

Jan 23rd - 15:34pm | Ranger X

"Old four-wheel-drive tracks crawl through Jail, Hall, and Surprise Canyons and into the park; these non-Wilderness corridors carve the area into four sections." http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&wname=Surprise%20Canyon

Jan 22nd - 22:49pm | BGreen

Some education is needed...

Jan 21st - 21:20pm | Starr

WRONG...the parks belong to all Americans... jus watch...the handicapped will be granted permission to use motorized devices this year as per ADA which will supercede Wild Act...then bikes are gonna be allowed too....ya!!

Jan 20th - 15:51pm | Alan

Ranger X is correct. Give a motorhead an inch, and he'll take a mile. I just wrote a newspaper column about this (see http://lowbagger.org/lockout.html).

Junior Rangers

Jan 23rd - 20:06pm | Snowbird

Ranger Richard: I think perhaps you must be smelling to much gun powder. With this President, all things are "disconncted", especially the war on terror...even his own party seems to be running away from him. I wonder why? And you Mustang Sally, are caught up in your own fear mongering. Relax and smell some pines for a change... instead hate blogging!

Jan 23rd - 17:25pm | RangerRichard

What a stupid comment, Snowbird! Do you really think the two are not connected? Who was it that said "all things are connected?"

Jan 23rd - 17:19pm | Sally

BECAUSE, Snowbird (DUH), you will no longer HAVE parks if we lose our freedom to those who wish to destroy western civilization! THINK!!!!!

Jan 22nd - 20:24pm | Snowbird

Random: Why can't the Bush administration abide by such a noble pledge and commitment...instead we have a sicking war that's tearing the shreds out of our resources and youth...and for what? Sick, sick and sickening!

Jan 22nd - 19:12pm | Random Walker

Proud card carrying Junior Ranger since '63 or there abouts here. On the back is the pledge: "I give my pledge as an American to save and faithfully to defend from waste the natural resources of my country - its soil and minerals, its forests, waters and wildlife."

Jan 22nd - 16:49pm | Snowbird

Ranger X: Need more good people like you out in the field doing this kind of work with are inner city kids, especially in the ghetto's.I commend you for your services with the Junior Ranger program.

Jan 22nd - 16:28pm | Ranger X

Thanks for highlighting the Junior Ranger program Kurt; I loved delivering programs for junior rangers. When I worked at Lava Beds, I developed a Junior Lookout program where kids of all ages got to learn to spot fires, learned about fire safety, and earned a badge and certificate. If you get to Lava Beds in the summer, take your kids and hike up Schonchin Butte.

Time For a New Public Lands Management System?

Jan 22nd - 14:24pm | Heather Flanagan

Being concerned about environmental issues, I was wondering if you knew about Sound Experience where kids and adults learn about the Puget Sound as well and how our choices impact the environment. I find that hearing about such programs guves me a little shot of hope so I thought I'd give you the link, too. Please take a look. It is a wonderful program!!!

Bracing For the America The Beautiful Pass

Jan 22nd - 11:32am | repanshek

Debby, you might try the Holly Springs National Forest or St. Francis National Forest. Or, without leaving home, on-line at http://store.usgs.gov/pass/

Jan 22nd - 10:30am | Debby Kelly

I work at Arkabutla Lake in Northwest Mississippi and have been searching for in our area that persons can purchase the America the Beautiful pass but have not been able to find any. Do you have any information as to where these can be purchased in the North Mississippi, West Tennessee area?

Death Valley Showdown

Jan 21st - 01:47am | BadTux

There was a road up Surprise Canyon usable by mule-drawn wagons starting in 1873, and it was usable by ordinary two-wheel-drive cars as late as 1984. It was (and is) a registered road in the Inyo County roads system, registered with the State of California as part of the Inyo County highway system.

Mary Wants More Private Funding--Updated

Jan 20th - 17:34pm | repanshek

Richard, you're absolutely right about the values of friends groups. My concern is what you refer to in passing -- so-called philanthropic donations that are really attempts to "influence policy or publicize corporate products."

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