National Parks Traveler

I grew up in New Jersey, so I have no qualms about questioning the efforts by the Garden State's congressional delegation to force the National Park Service to add a waterfall to its collection of sites. This is just the latest instance of politicians simply looking to bring the Park Service brand closer to home for economic benefits.

Read more about Is New Jersey Delegation Unduly Forcing Great Falls of Paterson Park on NPS?

By Kurt Repanshek - October 23rd, 2007 10:28am

4 comments

Kids Detached From Nature? Here's One Example

Think electronics aren't getting in the way of kids and nature? While it might not be true in every nook and cranny of the country, it is happening in some areas. Take California, for instance. Tommy Nguyen told the San Francisco Chronicle trees are pretty boring.

Read more about Kids Detached From Nature? Here's One Example

By Kurt Repanshek - October 23rd, 2007 10:06am

17 comments

Leadership Summit: Some Afterthoughts

If nothing else, last week's Leadership Summit on Partnership and Philanthropy hosted by the National Park Foundation demonstrated that some major corporations want to support the national parks. The question that lingers, though, is to what extent?

Read more about Leadership Summit: Some Afterthoughts

By Kurt Repanshek - October 23rd, 2007 3:01am

1 comment

60 Minutes : The Age of Megafires

"60 Minutes" examines the increasing rate, intensity, and size of wildfires in the West. This is an issue that affects all land management agencies, including the National Park Service. Past fire management practices and climate change are a combination that foster the new age of megafires.

Read more about 60 Minutes : The Age of Megafires

By jersu - October 22nd, 2007 2:45pm

8 comments

Jumping Off Bridge an Annual Tradition in New River Gorge

Annually, on the third weekend of October, thousands of spectators watch over the course of the day as hundreds of BASE jumpers leap from the top of New River Gorge Bridge with the hope their parachutes take them safely to the river's shore, 876 feet below.

Read more about Jumping Off Bridge an Annual Tradition in New River Gorge

By jersu - October 22nd, 2007 4:11am

2 comments

Director Bomar: Let Science, Not Politics, Decide the Yellowstone Snowmobile Issue

The pledge by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and National Park Service Director Mary Bomar to let science prevail in national park management decisions is nearing its defining test. If science is not supported in Yellowstone, where else in the park system will it have the final say?

Read more about Director Bomar: Let Science, Not Politics, Decide the Yellowstone Snowmobile Issue

By Kurt Repanshek - October 22nd, 2007 3:00am

13 comments

November Lodging Deals To Be Found in Shenandoah National Park

Even though parts of the country are unseasonably warm this Fall, the end of the season for many lodges across the national park system isn't too far off. With that in mind, the folks who run the lodges in Shenandoah National Park are offering a deal for much of the month of November.

Read more about November Lodging Deals To Be Found in Shenandoah National Park

By Kurt Repanshek - October 21st, 2007 6:26pm

Groups Sue Cape Hatteras National Seashore Over ORV Traffic

Back in July I predicted that the managers of Cape Hatteras National Seashore would be sued for allowing off-road vehicles to navigate the seashore without a valid ORV management plan in place. Well, that lawsuit has arrived in court.

Read more about Groups Sue Cape Hatteras National Seashore Over ORV Traffic

By Kurt Repanshek - October 19th, 2007 9:32am

20 comments

2008 Marks 50 Years of Wolf, Moose Studies At Isle Royale National Park

I've long wanted to visit Isle Royale National Park. The mix of rock and forest surrounded by Lake Superior has intrigued me for many years, as has the park's resident wolf and moose populations.

Read more about 2008 Marks 50 Years of Wolf, Moose Studies At Isle Royale National Park

By Kurt Repanshek - October 18th, 2007 9:26am

1 comment

Yellowstone Bison Population Healthy; Montana Priming For Hunts

The bison herd in Yellowstone National Park is doing quite well, thank you very much. According to the summer count, there are nearly 5,000 bison in the park. Up in Montana, meanwhile, state officials are already planning this winter's bison hunt just north of Yellowstone.