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PEER: NPS Remains Plagued By Low Morale, Rising Attrition

Dec 5th - 13:12pm | SmokeyBear

Every few years the nps comes up with a new catchphrase and "feel good" name for some program that's going to improve morale, harassment, etc. They come up with all of these bullet statements to go along with the program name. And they force employees to attend a training session. It's all a waste of time and money because nothing ever changes!

Only One Signature Will Be Allowed On America The Beautiful National Parks Passes

Dec 5th - 11:35am | Bill

Lee, on our most recent trip when we did show the pass, I also had to provide an ID to go with it.  Pretty sure they won't take The Jones Family as an acceptable signature.  I too am a bit disapointed as occassionally one of other of us could make a separate trip and want to use the pass.

Dec 4th - 06:27am | Lee Dalton

Try signing it with "The Jones Family" and see if that works. 

Dec 4th - 06:13am | john928gt

So if the family member who signed isn't on the trip, then its not valid for the spouse/partner? That's really disappointing.

A Return To Homestead National Monument Of America

Dec 3rd - 11:26am | Rebecca Latson

Thanks for the heads up! It's been changed. Nice to know people are reading older Traveler articles! :)

Dec 3rd - 10:04am | WT Hegy

I noticed near the start of your article you have the date of the Homestead Act as 1962.  I think you mean 1862. You might wish to correct that. 

Fee Change Coming To Grand Teton National Park Backpacking Permits

Dec 2nd - 09:10am | SmokiesBackpacker

"The backcountry permit system is vital to providing an outstanding visitor experience"  I realize this is an NPS press release but seriously? No fee has ever enhanced anyone's visitor experience. The NPS has lost its soul in their quest for more fees.

Dec 1st - 16:04pm | chris...

Inreasing fees to cover recreation.gov which does nothing to help the parks is beyond the pale. How many crimes can the NPS commit before our public lands become... public again? I spilled blood and a lot of effort for the NPS and the publics greater good.  I did not slave so Bill Gates could profit.  this will only demoralize the NPS staff further

UPDATED | Paradise Lost At Virgin Islands National Park

Dec 1st - 19:25pm | Fleur

You seem to have overlooked CBIA's consistent refusal to negotiate a concession lease beyond 2023. 

Inside The Battle To Save The Cats That Call San Juan National Historic Site Home

Dec 1st - 04:06am | Suzanne Lane

There has to be multiple solutions.  Adoptions, fosters, tnr all three are good.  Take care of them and and find places for some.  Thin the population out.  TNR is great.  There was a cat that hung out with mine.  When Humane Society was helping me get my 2 cats moved with me the stray got humanely trapped.  They were going to do TNR but after the neuter he got so sweet they put him up for adop

Why Should Traveler's Lights Stay On?

Nov 30th - 19:17pm | BigBendGreyWolf

I was not able to donate on my phone. After clicking on donate the window that appeared was blank. I ended up using my laptop and the captcha puzzle failed to load the first time but I was successful the second time. Just passing along in case it helps others make a donation (try using laptop or desktop computer if having issues with your phone).

Traveler Special Report: The Cost Of Invasive Species In The National Park System

Nov 30th - 14:25pm | Kelly Ryerson

Regarding the comment above, glyphosate indeed is carcinogenic and I recommend reading about the differences between the IARC classification and that of the US EPA. Add in the levels of ghostwritten research and industry pressuring the EPA, and then you shoudl be highly concerned that this toxic chemical is sprayed anywhere near you, your family, or national parks. 

Wolverines To Gain Protection Under Endangered Species Act

Nov 30th - 10:33am | A. Johnson

The FWS's yo-yo debacle with protecting the wolverine only indicates that politics is involved.   When can we have federal agencies that actually DO THEIR JOBS?

National Park Service Drawing A Line On Fixed Climbing Anchors In Wilderness

Nov 30th - 07:33am | chris...

Well you wont rap off your route... Any tat or left behind anchors will be considered litter and citations will be issued.  Perhaps alpine climbers with abalakov anchors will still be able to climb without getting a permit at recreation.gov

Nov 30th - 01:42am | Mike B.

I've never had a problem finding a rock or some kind of structure to loop the rope around.  Not that it really matters; a wilderness doesn't exist merely to satisfy you or me.  If you want to climb there without any kind of artificial protection, though, knock yourself out.

Nov 29th - 12:29pm | John Godino

And how are you going to rappel off of your route? Leave cams behind at every rap station?

Nov 28th - 17:34pm | Mike B.

As a trad climber, I believe fixed anchors have no place in designated wildernesses.  There are plenty of other places to use them.

Nov 28th - 14:21pm | Dale Becker

I support the National Park Service and the Forest Service's efforts to limit the number of permanent equipment installations in our wilderness areas within federal lands.  These areas are designated and maintained as wilderness for their wildeerness qualities.  I have recently heard of some climbers actually installing thise fixtures in to cliffs in Utah that were the sites of ancient indigeno

Nov 27th - 11:22am | Sierra

^ oversimplified and simply not true. climbing needs limits on some places due to rising popularity - holding a permit means you aren't going to wait in long lines, deal with heavy wear and tear or encounter as much ignorance on those routes. Unlike Disneyland, climbing regulation doesn't intend to give out more tickets than it has seats on the ride. 

Nov 27th - 09:46am | chris...

You can book your rock climb on recreation.gov. they are privatizing recreation.  you were told many moons ago

A View From The Overlook: Nudity And The National Parks

Nov 29th - 12:46pm | Nj

Lawyer here. I was about to commend CACO's skillful definition of nudity but stopped short at "rectum". The rectum being a medical term for "the most distal portion of the large intestine, bound by the sigmoid colon proximally and converging into the anal canal distally", that would be very hard to cover with a fully opaque covering. At least without surgical assistance. 

Great Smoky Mountains Announces 2023 Fee Program Changes

Nov 29th - 09:17am | stanley

the park cant charge to enter park or it will revert back to orginal owners. but i think that charging for parking is b.s.

Photography In The National Parks: Winter Is Coming

Nov 29th - 01:37am | Rick B.

Love how you've captured various scenes of falling snow here. As always, nice work.

Coming To Terms With A Cancer Diagnosis In Grand Teton National Park

Nov 28th - 13:41pm | boomerranger

Jay Eickenhorst here -- 12 years retired from 42 years Fed service. USN/USFS/USNPS-YOSE/GOGA/MUWO & sorta SAFR. Today was my first look at NPT for a fortnight plus -- been bizzier'n a ... hmm ... no suitable tropes. First time commenting publicly.

Nov 27th - 14:40pm | David Crowl

Thank you for sharing such a personal experience that those of us who are over 60 can relate. My Father has prostate cancer in his 80's and is still living with it so I am aware that my chances of a similar story in my future could have a different outcome. Definately continue getting tested on a regular basis and chalk it up to aging.

Nov 25th - 09:12am | Bill Chapman

Thank you for sharing your personal story for all of us to benefit from!  Also. the National Parks are one way to heip us maintain our health. 

Nov 24th - 10:45am | Lee Dalton

And I, too, have enjoyed NPT for many years.  And I agree with Kathy.  I hope it will continue, but also hope that someone may step forward to take over and keep it going.  Although that's probably a long shot.  A question : Will past NPT stories and podcasts be stored somewhere somehow so they'll still be available?

Nov 23rd - 23:18pm | Kathy Duret

I, too am glad for this great news.  Thank  you for sharing this experience with all of us. I have enjoyed reading the NPT every day for many years.  Thank you.

Nov 23rd - 09:14am | Will

I'm glad this had a happy ending. And much as I enjoy reading NPT and hope it continues, I encourage you to consider if retirement might be a good option. I've heard too many stories of people who work until they die and do not get to enjoy the satisfaction of retirement.

How To Keep The Traveler's Lights On

Nov 26th - 15:21pm | Ken Pense

Thank you for all you do.  I'm in for 2 1/2 people of those 4000.  

Nov 22nd - 08:37am | Kurt Repanshek

Yes it will, WRC. Many thanks.

Nov 21st - 19:12pm | wrcmobile

I'd really prefer to make a once a year donation of $120 rather than making a $10 donation each month. Will that count the same way for purposes of keeping The Traveler's lights on? 

Nov 21st - 19:03pm | Josh Flory

The Traveler is an invaluable source of information on so many levels. Personally, I use it for trip planning and to keep abreast of the news and politics surrounding these special places. I also appreciate its role as "watchdog", holding public officials accountable for decisions that adversely impact the parks and their resources.

Nov 21st - 16:57pm | Richard Knight

There is only one National Parks Traveler. 

Nov 21st - 16:41pm | Sharon Ann Letz

Never having donated in previous years of reading and enjoying the Traveler, I owe you big.  I'll sign up.

Nov 21st - 13:21pm | Arthur P Foley

Your work is much appreciated. I'm in!

Nov 21st - 11:50am | Phillip Butto

Park Lovers,

Nov 21st - 11:16am | Gila Monster

Fingers crossed that enough people sign up. I would miss this site dearly.

Nov 21st - 01:15am | Stuiterbal

I have chipped in. Hope to keep seeing Traveler going.

Nov 20th - 20:08pm | Loui

It boils down to a public service to pay.  I'm in.

Exploring Pictured Rocks’ Beaver Basin Wilderness

Nov 25th - 13:51pm | Bob Pahre

Glad you had a good experience at Pictured Rocks, Mike! As West Coast born and raised, I have enjoyed getting to know the parks of the Great Lakes over the years.

Nov 24th - 20:57pm | Mike Painter

This West Coast guy had a nice time viviting Pictured Rocks NL some years ago with Michigan friends . Although we didn't backpack, but camped for a few nights, we saw quite a bit inluding the Au Sable lighthouse, and went canoeeing along the rocks east from Miner's Beach. Sunsets over Lake Suprior were fantastic. It was great!

Sunsets Aren’t Enough

Nov 25th - 11:08am | Anonymous

Those LE should be getting standby pay which get 25% salary increase. Talk to your admin assistant and HR specialist if they aren't. I understand what you are saying though. 

Nov 25th - 11:04am | Anonymous

I am on USAjobs almost daily. I do see some new titles for positions that I haven't seen before, however, there are still thousands of positions that aren't being filled- hiring managers are scrambling to fill these last minute. In addition, I know of positions, as stated in the article, that used to exist that disappeared because as superint chang, so do the org charts.

Nov 25th - 10:29am | Former ranger

interesting that you should mention the tribal affairs positions, as they are a position that most employees of the park service are locked out of. Their myopic qualification requirements, which regard anthropologists as the solely qualified people means that other highly educated people like historians who have long and rich experience with indigenous history are locked out

Nov 24th - 23:16pm | VRP Ranger

Having the same pay and grade for Rangers that do vastly different jobs is not only unfair but it also means that those with the easier jobs get the quicker promotions and that is a huge part of the problem. For example, in the Visitor and Resource Protection Field, those who work on small urban "Icon" Parks only have to do law enforcement and only work a standard 9 to 5 job.

Nov 21st - 14:05pm | T Burt

How about we simple make it less "far flung"?  Too many units!!!

Nov 21st - 07:28am | Ian Mck.

So much of what is reported here is true and troubling. Nearly as troubling is leaving out all of the effort and progress made, particularly in 2023 with literally hundreds of new positions and FTE being added to the service in a nearly unprecedented budget year thanks to this Administration. IRA funding will add hundreds of frontline staff across the system for the next decade.

Nov 20th - 11:17am | Retired NPS

The housing issue is sad, below building codes, and very real...but also uneven funding for the parks and staff being furloughed whenever congress can't get their act together.  Feels like we are always political footballs.

How Might The Colter Bay Area Be Improved To Make Your Grand Teton National Park Visit More Enjoyable

Nov 22nd - 21:14pm | RR

It really doesn't matter if the bay is completely dry like it was when I visited 2022...

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

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

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.