National Parks Traveler

A first-of-its-kind, invitation-only gathering convenes in Austin, Texas, this weekend to discuss philanthropy and partnerships in the national parks. Hosted by the National Park Foundation, the Leadership Summit on Partnership and Philanthropy is intended to raise awareness of park philanthropy and bolster charitable giving to the park system.

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By Kurt Repanshek - October 12th, 2007 4:00am

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Alaska Regional Director Responds To Outrage Over Katmai Preserve Bear Hunt

The Katmai bear video has been one of the most-viewed posts on National Parks Traveler, being watched more than 4,000 times in less than a week. It has generated anguish, anger and controversy. Against this backdrop, Alaska Regional Director Marcia Blaszak has taken a moment to explain the Park Service's viewpoint of how to manage the bear hunt in Katmai National Preserve.

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By Marcia Blaszak - October 11th, 2007 8:21pm

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PEER: Centennial Challenge Might Exacerbate Park Service's Backlog Woes

I've previously written that the Bush administration's proposed Centennial Initiative appears to pay little attention to the National Park Service's ballooning $8 billion maintenance backlog. Some others are beginning to notice that, too.

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By Kurt Repanshek - October 11th, 2007 9:40am

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Visitation At Olympic National Park Up Nearly 16 Percent

A year ago some in Congress were greatly concerned that the national park system was experiencing an unhealthy decline in visitation. That's not the case this year, where visitor traffic is on the upswing in a number of parks.

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By Kurt Repanshek - October 10th, 2007 9:12am

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4-Year-old Dies in Fall off South Rim of Grand Canyon

A 4-year-old girl has been killed in a fall from the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

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By Kurt Repanshek - October 9th, 2007 9:58pm

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Yellowstone Snowmobiles: Has Apathy Arrived?

Run a breathtaking, and alarming, video of brown bears about to be slaughtered and there's an outpouring of emotion, angst, and vitriol against the National Park Service for allowing such a hunt. Mention that the National Park Service is fully behind snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park, where science has demonstrated they're a blight on the landscape, and there's a collective shrug of the shoulders. Has apathy settled in on this issue?