Plight of the Parks

National Park Service Retirees Outline 2008 Goals for Park Service

Science-led decisions. More principled leadership. A halt to fee hikes. Those are some of the things the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees would like to see from the National Park Service this year.

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By Kurt Repanshek - January 6th, 2008 7:32pm

1 comment

Segways in the National Parks: Do We Really Need Them?

Two Segway entrepreneurs have their sights on Yosemite and Sequoia national parks as the next frontier for these two-wheeled contraptions.

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By Kurt Repanshek - April 24th, 2008 3:56pm

58 comments

Is The National Park Service Protecting Its Heritage in Santa Fe?

One of New Mexico's best and best-preserved historic monuments, the former Southwest Regional Headquarters of the National Park Service at 1100 Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe, is in jeopardy from the very ones who are entrusted with its protection.

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By Jerry Rogers - December 31st, 2007 12:09pm

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World Heritage Report on Yellowstone National Park's Threats Called "Superficial"

A draft report Yellowstone National Park officials have prepared on threats to the park has been dubbed "superficial," and even park officials admit it's not overly comprehensive.

YELL-World Heritage Report.pdf

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By Kurt Repanshek - December 31st, 2007 10:07am

Association of National Park Rangers: Parks Should be Viewed in a National Context

Judging from the lobbying that revolves around the national parks, it's easy to see that local interests view the parks as local treasures, not the national jewels that they are. At the Association of National Park Rangers, President-elect Scott McElveen would like to see that change.

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By Kurt Repanshek - December 30th, 2007 1:10pm

Groups Sue Park Service Over ORV Use in Big Cypress National Preserve

A coalition of seven groups is suing the National Park Service over its decision to reauthorize off-road vehicle use in an area of Big Cypress National Preserve, saying the move directly impacts sensitive Florida panther habitat.

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By Kurt Repanshek - December 22nd, 2007 9:46am

8 comments

Senators' Letter to Open National Parks to Concealed Weapons

Attached is the letter a number of senators sent to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne asking him to overturn the National Park Service's ban on concealed weapons in national parks.

Firearms-Parks Letter.pdf

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By Kurt Repanshek - December 19th, 2007 5:07pm

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Senators Pushing To Allow Concealed Weapons in National Parks

There's a move under way in the U.S. Senate to have Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne reverse the National Park Service's ban against the public carrying concealed weapons in the national parks.

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By Kurt Repanshek - December 19th, 2007 10:58am

34 comments

Economic Greed Tarnishes Our National Park System

For longer than the National Park Service has been in business, capitalists have pulled at national parks, looking for a way to get their financial cut of natural resources. Should we be surprised at this behavior? Of course not. Disappointed? I'd like to think so.

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By Kurt Repanshek - December 15th, 2007 11:44am

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Are The National Parks Not Part of Our Federal Lands?

A funny thing seems to have happened to U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Mike Crapo on their way to fighting to keep public lands in the public's hands: They overlooked the 84 million acres of the national park system.

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By Kurt Repanshek - December 14th, 2007 9:20am

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INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.