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National Park Quiz 25: Threatened and Endangered

Oct 25th - 21:15pm | Grant McCreary

[Ed: Item#4 has been rewritten. Zion is no longer one of the choices.] On question #4, Zion should also be an acceptable answer. Some of the released condors have been sighted in Zion, especially in the Kolob Canyons portion. But, of course, they are much easier to find in the Grand Canyon.

Oct 23rd - 08:24am | Bob Janiskee

Thanks, Rick. I've been thinking about going to a once-a-month schedule for the national park quizzes beginning in January. Could you live with that? BTW, I'm always open to suggestions for themes. Guest quiz submissions, too. Would you like to try your hand at creating a quiz?

Oct 23rd - 08:13am | Rick Smith

Good quiz, Bob. Thanks for continuing to test our knowledge of our nation's national park areas. Rick Smith

Natchez Trace Parkway – Colorful Choice for a Southern Fall Trip

Oct 25th - 18:03pm | Anonymous

From 1994 - 1997 I worked in the Dancy, Kosciusko, and Tupelo Districts as a Wildland FireFighter.

Oct 23rd - 09:53am | Anonymous2

What part of the Trace did you work at/in?

Oct 22nd - 18:52pm | Anonymous

I am sure it was the people but after spending several years working at large western parks, I finished my short lived NPS career at this GEM. The folks that lived on and around this park truly knew the meaning of hospitality and the park staff were true stewards to their responsibility. The "Trace" is a great park.

How Will the Next Administration Deal With the Environment?

Oct 25th - 12:15pm | d-2

You may be right, but on your point that "the rest of the world is finally unwilling to fund its [our] enormous debt," in fact this week the US Treasury has been able to sell all the bonds it has wanted.

Oct 25th - 10:32am | Anonymous

Beamis: I have read many of your blogs that reflects much negativity, dour and gloom. For the next generations sake, how about offering some solutions so that we can move forward instead of regressing into a blog of doom and gloom. You squawk and bitch...so what new paradigm do you advocate?

Oct 24th - 15:41pm | d-2

I believe, and have experienced, making changes happen with Congress and the White House, whatever the party.

Oct 24th - 12:10pm | Bugsyshallfall

Lone Hiker, As one of the main Volunteers at a NPS unit, I know how you feel as sometimes the simplist of things can take FOREVER to do. P.S. If you find someone, I would like some of that stuff too.

Oct 24th - 12:06pm | Bugsyshallfall

There are a lot of "things" that need to happen with the park from the mundane, such as appropriate name changes, to the more serious the $4.5 billion maintance backlog and establishment of new parks. All of these issues are important and need to be addressed sooner rather than later. However, each of the candidates will address these issues differently.

Oct 24th - 12:00pm | Lone Hiker

'Tis the unfortunate truth that the most certain, enduring and accurate legacy of any man is lies not within the context of one's rhetoric, but rather in the footprint one leaves behind. For anyone fool enough to actually be swayed by campaign speeches, you get what you deserve. Talk itself is cheap, but never as worthless as when uttered by someone whose goal is election to public office.

Oct 24th - 09:55am | d-2

McCain has supported parks in Arizona. But he has opposed efforts of individual Members of Congress to add to the national park budgets through "add-ons" of additional funding. I think it is silly for anybody to think Congress should just rubber stamp ANY Administration's budget, whether Republican or Democratic budget.

Oct 24th - 01:54am | Gerald

If anyone thinks that Obama willl be good for our parks...think again. He will see that money goes to those who haven't earned it...tax "rebates" for those who haven't even paid taxes in the first place. Huge amounts of $$ to free health care for everyone...entitlements, entitlements, entitlements!! Obama's park budgets will be much smaller than even W's! Guaranteed!

Oct 23rd - 06:46am | Sabattis

Although, a link is provided to the full story, I have to quibble with the following characterization: "The Bush administration also did away with the popular National Parks Pass, a $50 gem that got you into any and all of the national park units as many times as you could squeeze into a calendar year."

Upon Further Review – The Whirlwind Tourist

Oct 24th - 23:50pm | On Da Road

Yes, it's kind of a shame. I had a group in Yellowstone who canceled the rest of there week reservation after two days 'because they had already seen everything'!

IMBA: Not Every Park Suitable For Mountain Biking, No Interests, Currently, For Trails in Wilderness Areas

Oct 24th - 20:28pm | Zebulon

d-2, all great points, but I just don't see how a leg activates paddles kayak is not mechanized. It has pedals (like a bike) that propels the kayak forward. The whole mechanized argument is a smoke screen. I'd rather see trails opened or close based on sound reasoning. If a trail sees hundreds of hikers each day, then it's probably not the best trails to open to other uses.

Oct 24th - 12:26pm | Bugsyshallfall

Dapster I promised not to digress, yet I feel I must. One last time....

Oct 24th - 09:31am | d-2

Well, Zebulon, national parks are not the only kinds of public lands. There are many different types of lands set aside at the state, local and national level for public enjoyment. All things do not have to be permitted at all of these places just because all are supported by public funds.

Oct 23rd - 22:15pm | Zebulon

I have yet to hear a reasonable argument as to why cyclists should be banned from Wilderness. People need to escape the harsh reality of daily life... Well, public parks are not your own private Idaho. Being publicly funded, they should be shared by all. All I hear is rationalization to justify the unjustifiable.

Oct 23rd - 15:29pm | Kurt Repanshek

Geez, Zeb, sounds to me like you need to get in touch with your inner 19th century anachronistic side. Why don't we just change all the rules and regulations to suit your fancies?

Oct 23rd - 15:16pm | d-2

That's an interesting take on the definition of mechanized. I don't see how skis, canoes, kayaks, snowshoes, or even high hiking poles are less mechanized than a bike. It just defies logic.

Oct 23rd - 14:11pm | Zebulon

"And really, let's be truthful, wilderness areas are not off-limits to humans. They are off-limits to motorized and mechanical vehicles and devices, but open to those on foot, cross-country skis, canoes, kayaks, snowshoes and probably some other non-mechanical means that don't come immediately to mind."

Oct 23rd - 11:38am | dapster

I promised not to digress, yet I feel I must. One last time.... Having worked at Fire Island National Seashore, I recognize the materials used to close beaches TEMPORARILY to protect nesting plovers. While the beaches are closed, again TEMPORARILY, the interdune regions of barrier islands are usually open to access and the bays behind them are also not affected.

Oct 23rd - 08:47am | Kurt Repanshek

These sort of temporary closures are part and parcel of the park system, although I doubt there are many. That said, I believe that in Yellowstone some areas near Mount Washburn are permanently closed to humans due to grizzly bear habitat.

Oct 23rd - 07:23am | dapster

Kurt, You are correct about the signage in these pictures. They were used to illustrate the point that "No Access" by any means does indeed exist in our National Parks.

Oct 22nd - 15:31pm | Kurt Repanshek

Dapster, I might be wrong, but I believe those signs are only erected during nesting of migratory birds and have nothing to do with wilderness. I've seen similar signs at Cape Cod National Seashore to protect nesting plovers.

Oct 22nd - 15:26pm | dapster

Sorry for straying, but it's still in context, sorta... So, when you talk about 2.58 percent of the lower 48 being designated as wilderness, is that so threatening? Not at all, when you look at just the percentages against the entire landmass. If that 2.58% includes 90% of your favorite area, then it makes a difference.

Oct 22nd - 14:58pm | Kurt Repanshek

Well, we're really starting to stray off-topic, but in a substantive way that begs a separate post of its own. Wilderness and wilderness study areas (WSAs) are interesting units. Some see them as protecting the last vestiges of true "wild lands" in this country, others see them as tools to thwart recreation, as Dapster fears is the case at Cape Hatteras.

Oct 22nd - 14:38pm | dapster

Beamis, Thanks for coming to my aid. Your quote below said it far more eloquently than my initial attempt:

Oct 22nd - 14:35pm | Kurt Repanshek

Thanks for the links. Definitely some interesting reading. As to some of your other questions/points: >>...why does NPT challenge only certain "recreation activities"? Why not challenge driving and lodges since those high-impact activities are provided elsewhere?<<

Oct 22nd - 13:41pm | Kurt Repanshek

Perhaps you could point out where those studies can be found, Zebulon.

Oct 22nd - 13:36pm | Zebulon

Bikes don't cause more damage than hikers. It's been scientifically proven. On the other hand, horses do. Well designed trails last for a long time, especially, if they're closed to all use for a reasonable period of time after a rain.

Oct 22nd - 13:21pm | tahoma

Both bikes and horses definitely can be more damaging per user to trail tread and adjacent vegetation than hikers. Bike damage is usually incision on steeper grades. Strings of pack animals can also do this in weak soils, but their specialty is churning the flatter riparian sections to mud holes.

Oct 22nd - 12:56pm | Anonymous

Key words: fire truck. I can understand your point of view if it was a truck randomly driving around...but it's a fire truck. I'll take whatever damage fire trucks cause instead of a giant fire.

Oct 22nd - 12:47pm | Kurt Repanshek

Richard, the box you refer to came from a page on IMBA's web site regarding frequently asked questions and wilderness areas.

Oct 22nd - 12:26pm | Richard

Who wrote that grayed box that says bikes are low impact and are compatible with wild places and the intent of the Wilderness Act? Does the Park Service really believe that mtn bikes are appropriate in wilderness as long as it isn't too rugged or steep? Since when?

Oct 22nd - 12:22pm | Richard

At Point Reyes Nat Seashore you can bike to a point on the Bear Valley trail, as at that point, 1/4 mile from the ocean, it becomes wilderness. I have seen a fire truck go beyond that point, on that trail that my bike cannot, and they cut trees alongside the trail so the fire truck could continue. There is no way things like that should happen.

Oct 22nd - 11:07am | Zebulon

"And, as another pointed out, mountain bike enthusiasts are not being banned from backcountry trails in the parks. At the current time they just can't ride their bikes on them"

Oct 22nd - 10:39am | dapster

Kurt, Broad brush cleaned and put away. My comments were aimed at some of the other posters, and certainly not at the author. Sorry if I was unclear on that. No offense intended. My point is parallel to this one brought up by Zebulon:

Sky-High Ginseng Prices Boost Illegal Harvest in Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Oct 24th - 12:36pm | Anonymous

where do you find out the current prices of ginseng?

Oct 24th - 12:34pm | east tn sang

How does one tell how "old" a ginseng plant is? Ive been through my woods and found lots of sang, but wouldnt dare dig it. Some are about 2 feet tall and have 4 prongs. One more, how do you approriate dig sang, if you were going to move it closer for protection? comments?

Oct 23rd - 20:53pm | Anonymous

just curious how much is ginseng going for these days?

Yosemite Visitor Falls to His Death

Oct 24th - 05:43am | Anonymous

Pat had 4 childern 3,6 ,9 and a newborn and awonderful wife. He will be missed by all. As a friend his death was hard on all.He was a good man and ahard worker. He would have wanted the best for all he left behind.

Blue Ridge Parkway’s 75th Anniversary Celebration Begins

Oct 23rd - 18:00pm | dapster

Anne, Thanks so very much for your answer to a challenging and quite "Mushy" question!

Oct 23rd - 15:24pm | dapster

Anon, Thanks for your input to my question. I had never heard of these instances, I'm guessing mainly do to my location in Richmond, VA. It does clearly show that lobbying and PAC donations can produce results, both desired and undesired.

Oct 23rd - 12:36pm | Anonymous

dapster, I would encourage you to look at two places to find the answer to your question.

Oct 23rd - 11:52am | amwdew

That's a great question, and one that I get asked all the time. I usually say a couple of things in answer:

Should Anything Be Done With Angel's Landing?

Oct 23rd - 15:15pm | Kris

The Zion Park Service shouldn't have to monitor who hikes Angel's Landing or any other major attraction in the main canyon. The vast majority of people who hike that trail come away happy and uninjured, with a newfound or renewed respect for its challenges.

Pruning the Parks: Mar-a-Lago National Historic Site (1972-1980) Was a Gift the National Park Service Couldn’t Afford to Keep

Oct 23rd - 06:16am | Sabattis

According to the National Park Service, Mar-a-Lago National Historic Site never had a visible staff presence from the National Park Service and was never opened to the public. Unfortunately, the endowment left by Ms.

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