For the last couple years, I've been subscribed to a private email list moderated by a fellow that is tied into some amazing sources of news and information regarding the National Park Service. There had been some rules regarding the list that made it difficult to open it to up public access, but things have just changed. Art Allen, the moderator of the list, has created a new email list/discussion group that has bypassed the old restrictions, and is now publicly accessible. Art's one of the folks hanging out in our Visitor Center, and as you can see, he's got quite a history with the National Park Service. This is where Art has published his new list -

Google Groups : Parkland Watch

You'll see it all on this list, park news, politics, opinion, and occasionally some insider memos and other detail. Typically the list generates 30 or so new email a day, so be prepared for some reading if you subscribe! Art has described the list this way,

This is the place to find news about what's going on in the National Park Service (and all the public lands), and to express your personal views on park or other matters. We urge you to share your opinion on matters that concern you. Debate about differing views is welcome.

Art is pretty good at this. As moderator of the private list, he had posted nearly 20,000 messages. Typically, Art will provide additional commentary about a lot of the news at the heading of each piece. If the new list is as successful as the former list, it will be a lot of fun, and we'll have Art to thank as the brains behind the operation.