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Padre Island National Seashore

Trump Administration Moves To Weaken Endangered Species Act, Species In National Parks Could Suffer

In the wake of a report stating that nearly 30,000 species worldwide are at risk of going extinct, the Trump administration on Monday announced changes to the Endangered Species Act that opponents warned would weaken protections for species in danger of being lost.

Heading out to the Gulf of Mexico at Padre Island National Seashore

A nacho-sized Kemp's ridley sea turtle hatchling making its way from the beach out into the Gulf of Mexico at Padre Island National Seashore, Texas

From mid-June through August, you can attend a public release of Kemp's ridley sea turtle hatchlings at Malaquite Beach, in front of the Visitor Center. These public releases are held at 6:45 a.m. and the National Park Service website for Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, has a page dedicated to information about sea turtles and hatchling releases https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/nature/hatchlingreleases.htm

Rebecca Latson
Heading Out To Sea

Proposed Changes To Endangered Species Act Would Impact National Parks And Their Wild Kingdoms

Rule changes the Trump administration is proposing for the Endangered Species Act, though not expected to directly impact species inside the National Park System, would have indirect impacts that could jeopardize plant and animal species and in the long-run could affect visitors' experiences, according to experts well versed in how the act functions.

Photography In The National Parks: Capturing Texture, Pattern, And Color In Your Compositions

Contributing photographer Rebecca Latson wants you to focus your powers of observation on the properties of texture, pattern, and color that you see in your viewfinder. Rebecca offers five techniques that she uses when photographing compositions focusing on any and all of these properties found within a national park.

Photography In The National Parks: My Five Favorites From 2017

Happy New Year! Continuing a tradition started several years ago with the Traveler, photographer Rebecca Latson lists 5 of her favorite photos taken during 2017 and explains why they are her favorites. Rebecca details settings, weather and lighting conditions, as well as the story behind each photo.

Interior Department's Proposal To Open Offshore Areas To Drilling Could Impact National Park System

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's announcement Thursday that the Trump administration intends to open up coastal areas to oil and gas leasing drew immediate condemnation from the National Parks and Conservation Association, which fears that could adversely impact national seashores and parks.

Fall Wildlife In The National Park System: A Quick List

Most likely, you’re well aware that Yellowstone National Park is a great destination to see elk and bison in fall, and that Glacier National Park will reward you with mountain goat and bighorn sheep sightings. But where else can you head in the National Park System, preferably someplace without so many crowds?

Hatch And Release At Padre Island National Seashore

During early June 2017, Traveler contributor Rebecca Latson had the privilege of witnessing and photographing several Kemp's ridley sea turtle public hatchling releases. In this article, she chronicles the work it takes to pull off a successful release and provides answers to questions involving this endangered species of sea turtle found along the Texas coast.

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