The just-completed year of 2009 was a busy one for the Traveler, as our output grew exponentially compared to 2008. It also was heavy in reader traffic, as nearly 1 million stopped by to see what was going on in the national parks. That readership was more than twice what we counted in 2008, and we'd like to thank those who stopped by in 2009 for taking the time to visit and hope you'll both bookmark the Traveler and encourage your friends to check us out.
For all of 2009, we posted 1,619 articles, or roughly four on an average day. That total was an increase of nearly 83 percent over 2008, when there were 887 articles posted.
Understandably, quantity isn't always an indicator of overall quality, and reading tastes differ greatly in terms of what you'd like to see on the Traveler. While there certainly is an audience interested in some of the more heavily news-oriented posts surrounding the managing of the national parks and the National Park Service, we recognize that many readers are more interested in learning about what they can do in the parks or testing their brains on Bob's quizzes and puzzlers or chuckling over Jim's anecdotes from his 30 years rangering in the parks.
So, where will we head in 2010? We hope to offer a redesigned Traveler that is a bit crisper appearing and somewhat easier to navigate. We also plan to bolster our travel-related coverage of the parks, delve more into the natural and cultural history of the parks, and, hopefully, integrate more multi-media content in that regard.
To those in the National Park Service reading this, please keep us in mind with what's going on in your parks. While we receive a number of emailed releases from a handful of parks, and take RSS feeds from about a dozen or so, we'd like to hear from more parks, particularly with news of tours such as the one at Petersburg National Battlefield that we highlighted on Sunday and monthly activity calendars such as the one from Saguaro National Park that we posted today.
We'll also continue to leave the door open to guest columnists. We'd love to hear from park superintendents who have something to say, whether it focuses on a unique aspect of their parks or tips visitors can use in exploring their parks; to friends groups that want to explain their latest campaign; folks such as Dr. Tyler Nordgren, an astronomer and associate professor of physics at the University of Redlands in California, who has written a book about dark skies over national parks, or; even our elected politicians who have something to say about the national parks or National Park Service. And we're always looking for new voices to add to the Traveler (although there currently is no budget to afford them other than "thanks!" and a great and growing community to share your experiences with.)
If you want to take us up on this offer, simply use the "contact us" link in the Visitor Center box in the upper right-hand column.
To our readers, we hope we continue to meet your expectations and, as always, remain open to suggestions and comments regarding our coverage. What do you like, what don't you like? What type of stories would you like to see more of?
We also encourage you to check out our sponsors, as they provide some of the means that enable us to bring you a daily dose of commentary, news, and life in America's parks.
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Comments
Great job so far. Keep up the good work!
My wife and I enjoy nothing more than a long day hike in most of our National Parks from coast to coast. We are well travelled and most familiar with the problems some of our most precious parks are facing. We have been NPF members for many years and support their usually useful agenda. Thanks for your web site and it's entertaining and informative news. We are daily readers and we are very happy that readership has doubled in the last year, providing those that would have not known about both the challenges and legislation affecting our NATIONAL TREASURES.
Largely due to your articles, we have visited numerous National Parks we might not have otherwise visited at this time. We've also done new and different things in the parks (ie snowhoeing) that we've not done before - again, due in part to your articles and the posts of readers. I read the Traveler every day and have learned so much about our National Parks. Thank you!!!
I discovered NP Traveler purely by accident about a year ago. (I thought I was clicking into the National Geographic TRAVELER Magazine.) Now I have to jump on and take a look every morning or my day's simply not complete.
You're doing a wonderful job! Thank you very, very much. It's a shame this excellent website isn't better advertised in some way so more people could take advantage of it.
Am I correct in thinking this is something produced entirely by volunteer help without pay to anyone? It certainly shows a tremendous amount of dedication.
This is obviously a labor of love and I hope that feeling continues for a very long time. Please keep doing a wonderful job NPT!!
Lee, I'm afraid we have no budget for advertising or any help other than volunteer, though we're trying to change that. You can help us by spreading the word to family, friends, and strangers you meet in the parks!
Fred, great to hear from you again. Hope all's well.
Kurt, Jim, Bob, and all other NPT volunteers, thank you very much for all you have done to bring a wide variety of issues associated with protecting, preserving and enjoying our national parks to the online public.
Often, your articles have been of interest to those of us who have been, or are currently, members of the National Park Service. I frequently find the online commentary as interesting as the articles themselves. You have done the public and employees of the NPS a great service with your volunteer efforts.
Thank you too for continuing to feature articles that promote the value of a dark and starry night above our national parks (where curious minds and the celestial heavens collide).
Owen Hoffman
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Thanks for keeping us up-to-date. Starting in Charleston, SC we logged 9,000 miles during a six week span the summer of 2008 visiting national parks throughout the west and southwest. We will make a similar trip the summer of 2010 and will continue to monitor your site daily for tips and good stories. Many thanks for the good work!