A quick glance around the National Park System finds a celebration coming to Voyageurs National Park, gifted writers at Everglades National Park, and fall colors at Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

* Help Voyaguers National Park Association Help Voyageurs

Next spring will bring about the 50th birthday of the Voyageurs National Park Association, as well as the 40th anniversary of Voyageurs National Park. You can help celebrate both by lending some support to the association. Throughout 2015 the association will be working to

* Double the number of youth served in its National Park Teen Ambassador Program,

* Double the number of volunteers that support VNPA and the park

* Fund special new park projects, such as the inaugural bear DNA study.

"And of course, all the time we are still working to protect the park from environmental concerns such as sulfide mining and a proposed dam on the Namakan River," says the association's executive director, Christina Hausman. "How will we do it? We are counting on your help to meet all of these lofty goals."

To support the association in its work at the park, consider a tax deductible donation to the group.

* Environmental Writers Selected At Everglades National Park

A handful of university students have been selected to participate in the new Everglades Wilderness Writing Expedition. This innovative program is designed to connect aspiring local writers to the Everglades wilderness while creating future park stewards. These students, all from south Florida Universities, will participate in the adventure of a lifetime!

When asked in the application, “What do you think of when you hear the word 'Wilderness?', their answers ranged from 'Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh My!' to quoting Henry David Thoreau. Despite the wide spectrum of answers, all the students had one thing in common: they are all searching for an experience that removes them from traffic, cars, noise, smog and other urban norms. They all want to experience “wilderness," and not just any wilderness, but the one that exists right in their community; the Everglades.

“This program is a great opportunity for the park to inspire the future stewards of America’s natural and cultural resources. I look forward to hearing about their adventure in our wilderness,” said Everglades acting Superintendent Bob Krumenaker.

The selected students are:

* Florida International University: Alexandra Mosquero, Bryan Palacio, Ziggy Pastor, Alina Rafikova, Sandeep Varry, and Nicole Zummar

* University of Miami: Nadijah Campbell, Natasha Mijares and Dylann Turffs

* Florida Atlantic University: Stephanie Reed

* Miami Dade College: Johanna Piard

During the next six weeks the 10 students will delve into the mysteries and beauty of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness of Everglades National Park. They will participate in a series of wilderness day trips that will have them hiking, slogging, and paddling through the wild landscape of the Everglades. Their final journey will be a multi-night expedition, led by North Carolina Outward Bound, author and poet Anne Mcrary Sullivan, and park staff. Their contribution for this adventure will be documenting their experience and sharing their stories with millions of people in the local south Florida community. The project highlights the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964.

* Enjoy The Season With A Visit To Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Though battered by rain storms that brought flood waters last month, Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas is in good enough condition for visitors to enjoy the fall colors from late October into early November.

Guadalupe Mountains Dennis A. Vásquez says the Guadalupe Peak, McKittrick Canyon, Pinery, Devil’s Hall, Indian Meadows, Tejas, Permian Reef, Smith Spring, McKittrick Nature, Frijole, Foothills, and most backcountry trails are now open. The Salt Basin Overlook and El Capitan Trails are open between the Guadalupe Canyon Trailhead and Williams Ranch. The Manzanita Spring Trail is open. However, the hard-packed, accessible surface washed away.

At this time, all park trails are open for hiking and backpacking only, but not for stock use. The Pine Springs Visitor Center, Pine Springs and Dog Canyon Campgrounds, Salt Basin Dunes Day Use Area and all backcountry campgrounds are open. Frijole Ranch and Williams Ranch are open. However, the Frijole Ranch House sustained water damage during the storms and remains closed.

Park staff has stabilized Frijole Ranch Road and Williams Ranch Road and they are also safe and passable at this time. 

“At this time of year, as the weather begins to cool, the foliage begins to change colors to a spectacular display of reds, browns, oranges and yellows in preparation for winter. It is a wonderful time to hike, camp, watch wildlife, take nature photographs and backpack in the park," the superintendent said. "In the coming weeks, we expect the fall colors display to be particularly good in McKittrick Canyon, Smith Springs, Devil’s Hall and Dog Canyon.”

Visitors are asked to carpool, if possible, to alleviate congestion on park roads and parking areas. For updated status of the Fall Colors, call the Pine Springs Visitor Center (915) 828-3251 x2124.