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Op-Ed | Feral Horses Should Be Removed From Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Feb 18th - 01:00am | Mike B.

The article is spot on.  The horses and cattle have no business there and are degrading the habitat for native wildlife.

Feb 16th - 18:21pm | Jkm

Great Story. We should not let nostalgia get in the way of consse 

Feb 16th - 10:37am | Michelle

You're totally right. The BLM out west does round up and pay people a thousand dollars to adopt a mustan.  Over half of which are then resold and put in kill pens.      There are so many rescues now that deal with mustangs and donkeys that have been sent to the kill pens.  

Feb 15th - 21:00pm | Linda Uptegrove

OF COURSE THEY WOULD CALL THE HORSES LIVESTOCK ......THST GIVES THEN CONTROL OF HAVING KILL BUYERS TAKE THEM .....TAXES PAY FIR THIS PARK, "" NO ANIMAL THERE IS VETTED "" ...... NO GIVEN HAY, OR GRAIN. NO DENTIST NO SHOER ....SO HOW MUCH RIGHT DO THEY HAVE IVER ANYONE ELSE ..??? IF THESE HORSES, AND CATTLE REMOVED THEY WILL GO TO SLAUGHTER ....

Alligator Gar Spotted Along Florida’s Gulf Islands National Seashore

Feb 16th - 20:59pm | Richard S.

Saw someone catch a long nose gar off the pier in Cedar Key today. It was huge. about 4 foot long. Never seen one of those in salt water before

National Parks Traveler Episode 95: Canada's Glorious Parks

Feb 15th - 06:35am | Cara

I had to laugh when you asked if Lake O'hara was only selling for one day. We went to the Canadian Rock NPs in 2018. I called at 10 am on the day tickets open and the whole year was already sold out within 2 hours. Next time I know not to be relaxed and sleep in. 

Rush To The Outdoors Has Challenged Recreation.Gov

Feb 13th - 09:27am | R. Lerner

Reservations at campsites at all of the popular places, like Many Glacier and hundreds of other federal campgrounds, are impossible to secure by the average person, EVEN IF you're okay with the 6 motnh advance window.  I have tried many times, and as one user noted, all of the available sites (available fore 10 am Eastern) are always 100% booked nd gone within ONE SECOND of 10 am -- trust me, I

Jan 21st - 09:32am | Jmr

I totally agree! How about half and half! 

Interior Officials To Seek Land Swap With U.S. Virgin Islands For School On St. John

Feb 9th - 09:01am | Myrtle

Is the Virgin Islands (VI) truly gaining 11 acres if 3 acres contain National Park (NP) restrictions?  The U. S. Government as stewards of the National Park (NP) should give the 11 acres in #6 Catherineberg, St. John to the people of the VI.  Our K-12 school is urgently needed.   

End of a Curious Era at Mount Rainier National Park

Feb 7th - 16:41pm | Wyman Duane

Yes, I too miss the oddly, but stark structure as it had so much space for exhibits, gift shop, dining and areas where families could picnic and briefly escape the often harsh mountain weather.  Worked for 10 seasons with Guest Services, the sight of the DUB or PVC was always a welcome landmark.

Human Resource Problems Straining Workforce In Some National Parks

Feb 4th - 17:44pm | KM

I wonder what your response is in 2023 to the crisis we now have on our hands under this administration. Having been with the Park Service almost 10 years, I have never seen such desperation and suffering among my employees as I did last year. We were only able to fill 50% of our vacancies.

The Challenges Of Recreation.gov

Jan 31st - 14:26pm | AdamK

I see people complaing that the see an open day the night before, but when they check before 7am the next morning they find it is no longer available. I think that can happen when a person has the previous days reserved and then get's onto the system and changes their reservation. You are allowed to make changes after a waiting period.

Jan 24th - 19:22pm | SAM

I get really steamed at the folks who reserve sites a day or two before they intend to arrive. The sites sit empty a day or two then they show up just about the time the ranger is pulling down the reserved signs. I understand that folks sometimes have problems on the road, but if one does not occupy the site by morning it should be freed up.

Jan 15th - 20:40pm | Elizabeth

I agree, it appears someone hack the reservation system.   It is ridiculou!!!

Off The Well-Trod Path: The Mayna Avent Cabin In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jan 30th - 20:31pm | Jon

My great grandfather Humphrey Ownby built the cabin and lived in it nearly 50 years before selling it to his nephew who's father in law bought it for a wedding gift for him and his daughter. My grandfather was born in the cabin in 1910 and as great as that cabin is it doesn't come close to holding a candle to how great my grandfather was.

Jan 30th - 20:27pm | Jon

Do you mean Ida Ownby? She was born in 1886. My grandfather was born in the cabin in 1910 David Carl Ownby.  

Should Horses And Cattle Be Removed From Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Jan 30th - 15:20pm | Vickie BIrklid

The horses should stay in the park.  There is enough range and grass to maintain the populations of animals in the park, as evidenced in the past.

Jan 28th - 16:35pm | Brian Heath

Surely the park's wildlife management people can determine the right number of wild horses to maintain a good balance.  The horses' popularity with visitors shouldn't be ignored. 

Jan 23rd - 11:23am | Fred LaVenuta

The horses of Theodore National Park belong there. Considering the size of the Park 200 horses will not overrun the eco-system. They are attractive and exciting to visitors and have a place in the Park's food chain. Please do not allow the bureaucrats to prevail.

Jan 19th - 12:38pm | Marie29

You are so right!!  TRNP has removed several horses over the years and have people working hard to get them all adopted when they are removed.  Theses people have worked wonders and the horses have thankfully found wonderful homes.  The park also culls elk every few years - I think in 2022 they opened applications to injured military for the culling program.  I believe they also relocated 100 b

Jan 16th - 12:26pm | Bob Eckes

    Some 10 million years ago, up to a dozen species of horses roamed the Great Plains of North America. These relatives of the modern horse came in many shapes and sizes. Some lived in the forest, while others preferred open grassland. ( https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/horse/the-evolution-of-horses )

Jan 14th - 10:08am | Ernst Pijning

thank you for asking for public comments. I hope you will be able to keep the horses. Wasn't it Theodore Roosevelt himself who loved horses so much? What would it take to keep them?

Jan 13th - 17:00pm | Angela

They are not 'feral'. This is a derogatory term. They are a wild, indigenous sepcies. Yes, indigenous. The horse is native to North America. This is now being proven with DNA. If you want to cling to your outdated, cattle-industry bought 'studies', you are falling for lies. These horse are magnificent and benefit the environment, the cattle do not and the cattle shoud be removed.

Jan 12th - 22:25pm | Theresa johnson

Horse have been in this beautiful natural habitat for a century as have the cowboys & Indians, this is ND pride, keep and preserve our great herirage!

Dec 30th - 22:05pm | Peg Anderson

Removing cattle and horses is not a good idea because you need the grazing in order to balance the natural ecosystem. If you remove them completely, you will start seeing invasive species of plants. also, grazing helps sequester carbon. The key is to manage the herds. This is a win/win situation for tourism profits and the environmental impacts. 

Survey Says National Park Service Is Far from the Best Government Agency to Work For

Jan 30th - 08:04am | Josh

Rob,

Jan 30th - 07:38am | Josh

I agree with your first paragraph but disagree with your second. Good leadership is elusive but not exclusive. Just as highering a younger generation didn't change a toxic work environment, hiring more more "brown people" or more males/female wont do it either.

Jan 30th - 05:34am | Anonymous

A Couple of points,

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 206 | Wildlife Migratory Corridors

Jan 29th - 15:00pm | Kristi Brister

Our family has been trying to see all the national parks, we have been at it for the last 16 years and have been to 42. Our recent visit to some Alaska national parks really hit home how we are impacting them in a negative way, just by visiting. I'd love a podcast or list of ideas on how we can carbon offset our visits, limit our impacts, choose activities that don't damage the park, etc.

No Charges Forthcoming In Shooting of Grizzly In Denali National Park and Preserve

Jan 29th - 01:39am | Anonymous

Bear spray is good to carry it usually has a 20-30ft range depending on brand, but realisticly a bear can close a good distance in a short timespan so even with the heavy spray fog or cone of a spray is deployed it may not work on the bear given its adrenaline and rate of speed. These are predators that are no stranger to animals that are way stronger than you fighting back.

Remains of Sunken Ferryboat “Ellis Island” are Removed from Island Slip

Jan 27th - 00:55am | Larry Cohen

My Grandfather Louis Forminsky worked on the Ellis Island ferry in the engine room between service in the US Navy in WWI and WWII.   It would be great to see an exhibit dedicated to the ferry that brought so many immigrants from Ellis Island on the final leg of immigration.

Building with Notorious History in Death Valley National Park Burns in Mysterious Fire

Jan 26th - 12:27pm | I was there bef...

There was a bookshelf that actually had books on it, probably all placed there by visitors.  Things like "The Rise and Fall of the 3rd Reich", etc.  Outside of the house on some high ground there was a chair with the legs embedded in concrete.  

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Proposes A "Parking Fee"

Jan 26th - 06:56am | M Dotson

check out South Carolina's state park system. South Carolina earns 90% of operations cost thru it's 47 parks. The Feds in National park system just raise prices and invent more ways to charge users. The parks belong to the citizens of US. The park service works to manage our property. The federal system is broken and is not providing proper management. 

Update: At Grand Canyon National Park, an Abandoned Uranium Mine Must be Cleaned Up

Jan 26th - 00:57am | Paul Kricensky

WShouldn't the mine owners cvlean it up?

In Search Of Reasonable Housing For National Park Service Employees

Jan 21st - 15:10pm | Maria C

Unfortunately, yes. Yosemite is experiencing a bit of an employee exodus due to the fact that it can't meet it's employees' basic needs. I think there are two main factors at play to cause this. 1: Housing prices were adjusted to meet the cost of local rentals, causing rent to double for some seasonals. Rundown shacks that cost you $440 in 2021 cost close to $900 in 2022.

Wanderings From Cable Mountain In Zion National Park

Jan 21st - 10:38am | David Lawrence ...

David A Flanigan was my grandfather.  He had four sons but I am his only grandson with the Flanigan name.  One son died in a fire at a young age, and just daughters were born to uncle Alma.  Don Flanigan had no children.  My father, Orville, was 41 years old when I and my twin sister were born.

Grizzly Bear Shot and Killed By Hikers In Denali National Park and Preserve

Jan 20th - 19:08pm | Harmon Everett

I think your first statement is false. There have been human fatalities caused by bears in Denali. I was backpacking there in 1977, and we were asked to stop hiking and camp at the campground because of a fatal bear attack the previous day. A nature photographer had been hiking by himself when a bear attacked him for apparantly no reason and tore him to shreds.

Former NPS Chief Historian Robert Utley Passes At 92

Jan 19th - 17:05pm | Castle McLaughlin

Bob Utley was a superb historian and a steller human being who steadfastly stood up for what was right. The NPS and the world at large needs more people like him. 

National Parks Traveler: What We're Not

Jan 18th - 08:26am | y_p_w

Loui: One critical service you do offer that you didn't list is that you provide John Q Public an opportunity to be heard by park employees and other shareholders about the pressing issues facing the Service. Way better than the comment card box at each park!

Parking Reservations Coming To Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jan 14th - 15:09pm | Ray Retired at 70

Just like at the University of Tennessee. You pay for parking and then no parking space available. It's not stated what the parking fine is if people stay longer than 15 mins. How to make the 98% of out of state people pay any fine for over parking?

Bears Lost Ironic Advocate in Jim Cole

Jan 14th - 07:52am | Ingrid Morgan (Cole)

Having read all of Tim's books and experienced Jim's research tactics first-hand, I am still never in the position to judge another person's heart and character...I can only inspect their behavior.

Big Spring Lodge, Cabins Rehabilitation Lags At Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Jan 13th - 11:42am | MO Mule

Any news on the progression of the updates to the cabins?  No one seems ready to venture an end date to the improvments.  

Archaeologists Recovering Soldiers' Remains From Unstable Ground At Vicksburg National Cemetery

Jan 6th - 13:12pm | thelma Sims Dukes

The article, written in 2020 did or did not know that the burials were in Section J and T.  These records incicate that affected and still at-risk  (January 6, 2023)  in Section J and Section  T of the National Cemetery are predominantly associated with the United States Colored Troops (USCT).  I am not saying this to indicate that I think that their is a problem of race in getting the cemetery

National Park Service Continues To Languish In "Best Places To Work" Survey

Jan 4th - 23:16pm | WaltD

Your comment makes no sense.  Yes, volunteers are mostly happy with their opportunities of working in the parks.  But volunteers are NOT NPS employees.  Nature and beauty only goes so far when the overwhelming percentage of employees have negative views of their agencies.

Great Basin National Park: It's More Than Simply A Cave

Jan 3rd - 18:04pm | student

Used this for my research project on te Great Basin. Facinating indeed!

Two Mountain Lions Found Dead At Santa Monica Mountains NRA

Jan 3rd - 17:05pm | Cacey

This is one of the saddest things I have heard about ecotourism. We have got to stop this! Stand against it, to keep these animals and our environment from suffering even more!

NPS Proposing To Permanently Close Parking Areas At Harpers Ferry

Jan 1st - 14:33pm | Retired Educator

Difficult situation- not a bad problem to have. Too many people wanting to see and the the park, and not having enough parking? put in new lots down on Shenandoah street as close as you can to the attractions and use permeable asphalt. Honestly you're discouraging people from using a National Historic Park when it's your mission to increase park usage and visitation.

National Park Service Proposing To More Than Double Visitation To Cumberland Island

Dec 31st - 08:19am | Elizabeth Jean ...

Please do not allow any additional visitors per day.  Keep Cumberland Island the way it is!!

Some Questions Raised Over Cumberland Island National Seashore's Human Carrying Capacity

Dec 30th - 09:59am | Heidi Benz

I believe To increase the daily visitors to the Island by more than double was never the intent of the this National Seashore. Has anybody studied the impact to the Island just by trash people leave behind? The wildlife including the horses will be the one who pay for all this! At least have a system in place before you allow such increase!

Revealing The 20-Million-Year-Old Secrets Of Agate Springs

Dec 27th - 07:48am | Chris Whitr

Also, don't miss the exhibits of the Cook collection of artifacts he collected from several Indian tribes

The Essential RVing Guide

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