BLM Waives Recreation-related Fees for Veterans on Veterans Day
November 10, 2008
The Bureau of Land Management will waive recreation-related fees for veterans and military personnel, along with their families, on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11.
BLM Director Jim Caswell, a Vietnam veteran, encouraged veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces to recreate on BLM-managed or other Federal lands on November 11, saying, “We want to thank the men and women who have served or are serving our country through military service. This is a small, but special way in which we can express our gratitude and our appreciation to them.”
The waiver of entrance and/or standard amenity fees on Veterans Day applies annually, starting in 2006, to public recreation lands under the management of the BLM, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation (all agencies of the Department of the Interior), along with the U.S. Forest Service (part of the Department of Agriculture).
The Veterans Day fee waiver takes place on November 11, even if the Federal observance of the holiday should occur on a different day. This year, the Federal observance of Veterans Day falls on Tuesday, November 11.
Recreation fee-setting and waiver authority for the BLM and other Federal agencies is based on the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, passed by Congress as part of a Fiscal Year 2005 appropriations bill that was signed into law by President Bush on December 8, 2004.
The BLM manages more land – 258 million surface acres – than any other Federal agency. Most of this public land is located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on the public lands.
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National Park Service Announces Support for Wounded Warrior Project
September 23, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Park Service will provide enhanced programs and services for injured military members through a partnership established with Wounded Warrior Project.
In a ceremony held at the Lincoln Memorial, National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar and Wounded Warrior Project Executive Director and Founder John Melia signed an agreement to develop opportunities to help severely injured military members mend physically, mentally, and spiritually in parks.
“The words of Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address carved on the wall inside of the memorial remind all of us ‘to care for him who shall have borne the battle,” said Bomar. “National parks are places of refuge and inspiration. I am thrilled that this partnership will allow more veterans to be rejuvenated by the serenity, beauty, and recreational opportunities found in parks.”
In addition to identifying a variety of activities and locations for Wounded Warrior Project programs, the National Park Service will provide information on park concessions, cooperating associations, and employment opportunities for veterans and their families.
“Wounded Warrior Project is grateful to the National Park Service for this opportunity,” said Melia. “These heroes have sacrificed greatly in service to their country. I think it is fitting that, through this partnership, some of America’s best places will be available to help them heal.”
The first collaborative effort between the National Park Service and Wounded Warrior Project will take place at Acadia National Park in Maine on October 20, 2008. Project Odyssey is designed to aid the recovery process for those suffering from combat stress and post traumatic stress disorder. Other programs are already planned for Yosemite National Park in California and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The programs are funded with support from the Coleman Company. Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. It serves to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call (904) 296-7350 or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org
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Hawaii DLNR Invites Public Participation in 2008 Update of State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
September 19, 2008
HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of State Parks is seeking public participation on an update of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) that will help shape the future of hiking, biking, boating, hunting, fishing and ocean recreation in Hawai‘i.
“The 2008 Outdoor Recreation Plan update represents a cooperative effort between government agencies and Hawai‘i’s residents to identify the needs and priorities for acquiring, developing, and protecting all types of outdoor recreation resources within the State over the next five years. We encourage everyone to get involved and provide input about the future of outdoor recreation in Hawai‘i,” 
said Laura H. Thielen, Chairperson of DLNR.
The public is invited to participate in meetings which start October 1, via an online survey, and through written comments. Updating the plan will enable Hawai‘i to maintain eligibility to receive federal grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), administered through the National Park Service.
The public is encouraged to attend the public meeting on their island to share their thoughts on outdoor recreation in their community, county, and state. These meetings will address a broad range of recreational activities and sites, from ballfields, courts, swimming pools and golf courses to hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, boating, surfing, and other outdoor recreation and ocean sports.
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National Park Service Unveils New Website For Children
August 24, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC – The Kids Zone, a new addition to the National Park Service’s website, http://www.nps.gov, contains more than 50 interactive activities designed to connect children with the people, places, and events commemorated in the country’s 391 National Park Service sites.
Starting August 25, children visiting the website can learn about Mitsy, a nine-year-old Border Collie who performs an important job at the Statue of Liberty or little Lula McLean’s rag doll which is a witness to history at Appomattox Courthouse or how Thomas Edison changed their lives.
“The Kids Zone, launched on the 92nd anniversary of the National Park Service, introduces the next generation of park stewards to the fascinating stories told in national parks,” said National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar. “The website will enable young people to actively explore parks without leaving home but, hopefully, will also inspire them to visit these special places in person.”
The website includes information on the 325 in-park Junior Ranger programs where young visitors complete booklets on park resources and earn certificates, patches, or badges. In 2007, more than 440,000 children participated in Junior Ranger programs nationwide.
Other features on the website include stories by children who live in national parks, biographies of dogs who work in national parks, and an expanded WebRangers page. Children can continue to earn a WebRanger patch after completing exercises that include decoding a secret message from George Washington, helping endangered turtles get to the sea, setting up a ranger station, tracking animals, and learning how to survive in the desert.
The Kids Zone “hot button” on http://www.nps.gov, the National Park Service homepage, will provide a direct link to the expanded children’s website starting on August 25, 2008.
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Cast Away: Park Rangers Take Public on Podcasting Adventure
August 1, 2008
WASHINGTON – All across the country, park rangers are turning into podcasters. Hundreds of brief audio and video programs are up on park websites and on iTunes giving visitors a new national park experience. People can learn about park resources, take a guided tour, get help planning trips, and, best of all, meet actual rangers.
“While nothing can replace a personal experience in a national park, we think our podcasts will enhance people’s trips or give them the opportunity to learn about a park that they can’t visit,” said Mary A. Bomar, Director of the National Park Service. “Whether people download them to portable devices or watch them on their computers, these free electronic presentations give us another way to serve park enthusiasts of all ages.”
Learn About Parks Many parks offer interpretive podcasts about wildlife, history, and topical issues like climate change and fire management. The most extensive collection of park podcasts is from Yellowstone National Park where they are reaching out to new and nontraditional audiences to spark an interest in visiting the park. The Inside Yellowstone series has more than 50 episodes, which are one to two minutes in length. More episodes are on the way.
“Our podcasts give people from every corner of the earth the chance to fall in love with Yellowstone and become its stewards for the future,” said George Heinz, one of the writers and on-screen personalities for the podcast series. The park has another online series called Yellowstone InDepth that presents mini-documentaries on subjects like volcanoes, invasive species, bears, and wolves.
Yosemite National Park launched a new monthly podcast called Yosemite Nature Notes. A printed publication of the same name began in the 1920s and existed for five decades. “Just like the earlier version of Nature Notes, our podcasts tell Yosemite’s stories from the perspective of the people who work here,” said Steve Bumgardner, videographer and producer at Yosemite National Park. “I like the idea that we’ve brought this institution back to life and that we use new media to put a personal face on the National Park Service.”
“My favorite podcast about Canyonlands National Park is the one on potholes,” said Carter, an 8-year-old visitor who watched all of the park’s podcasts before his trip. “It was so interesting to learn that tiny creatures are living in a bunch of dirt.” Carter’s sister Brooke, 11, appreciated knowing how to recognize cryptobiotic soils so she didn’t walk on the delicate crust. Their mother, Tiffani, thought the podcasts empowered her kids and said, “they loved being the experts and teaching us (their parents) what they learned while we walked around the park.”
Take a Guided Tour In addition to general information, podcasts are a great way to offer ranger-led tours of specific areas that people can enjoy on their own schedule. More and more people download guided tours onto their iPods or mp3 players prior to their national park trip. When they arrive, they literally have a ranger in the palm of their hand to guide them on a walking or driving tour.
At Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, people stop at overlooks along the South Rim Road and watch podcasts about geology, history, life, and recreation at those exact spots. Everglades National Park also has a car tour (audio only) that leads listeners on a guided exploration down the main park road. Four civil war battlefields – Gettysburg, Antietam, Petersburg, and Richmond – offer podcasts that allow you to walk or drive along as you listen to an NPS historian talk about decisive and dramatic battles.
Urban parks use podcast tours to reach local residents who may not know much about the parks they pass every day. For example, residents in Minneapolis and St. Paul can listen to information about Mississippi National River and Recreation Area while walking a four-mile loop near the river. Residents of Washington D.C. can download walking tours for Rock Creek Park and people in St. Louis can do the same for Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
Plan a Trip Visitors already use the internet to research park trips, but now podcasts make it more personal. “It’s a blast when visitors hear my voice and recognize me from the podcast,” said Elysha Iversen, Wilderness Visitor Use Assistant at Grand Canyon National Park. “It tells me that we actually reach people and help them plan their hikes before they get here.” Iversen and others record podcasts with important safety information about trail conditions. The park also offers hiking and river running orientation videos as podcasts and will soon, launch new podcasts about Leave No Trace to help people reduce their recreational impacts.
Glacier National Park offers videos online about hiking, and rangers say the programs speed up the backcountry permit process. “Rather than having to watch the video at the permit station which is required, more and more visitors have watched it online ahead of time,” said Bill Hayden, Interpretive Specialist.
Other parks help people plan trips with podcasts, too. Visitors can learn about recreational activities at Curecanti National Recreation Area, like fishing, hiking, and camping. Katmai National Park and Preserve has an audio podcast weaving together music, stories, and tips for reaching that remote wilderness area.
Take a Virtual Tour While not available for download like podcasts, virtual tours give people a park experience right on their home computer. For example, Clara Barton National Historic Site offers a virtual tour of Barton’s home, a building that served as the national headquarters for the American Red Cross. The tour allows visitors to navigate through all three levels of the house and gives access to images, text, and audio clips.
Acadia National Park has an eCruise along the rocky shores of Mount Desert Island and Glacier National Park offers eHikes that take visitors through stunning wilderness areas among glaciers, wildflowers, and bears. The experiences really have visitors buzzing. One man wrote, “I am a fighter pilot in Iraq…and it makes my day when I can take a hike in Glacier even if it’s from behind my computer.” A teacher from Michigan said, “the virtual hikes are awesome for a classroom project I am doing with my 5th graders.” And, another visitor remarked, “they are perhaps the next best thing to actually being there.”
New virtual tours are coming soon: Zion National Park will release an eHike for Angel’s Landing; Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will launch eHikes that go through the Sierra Nevada foothills or among the giant sequoias; and the Statue of Liberty will provide an eTour covering Liberty Island, the inside of Lady Liberty, and a 360-degree view from her crown.
Some worry that creating podcasts and virtual tours about national parks may keep people, especially children, disconnected from the actual places. “Personally, I don’t think that people are going to give up on the real thing,” said Todd Edgar, Media Specialist at Acadia National Park. “After learning about parks from our online resources, people want to get outside and explore on their own.”
For many other national park podcasts and virtual tours, go to www.nps.gov. If a park unit offers online programs, you will find them by clicking on “Photos and Multimedia” in the left navigation bar of their homepage. The following list provides links for the podcasts mentioned above. Links for podcasts and virtual tours mentioned above:
Acadia NP - http://www.nps.gov/acad/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm
Antietam National Battlefield - http://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP - http://www.nps.gov/blca/photosmultimedia/parkcast_srtour.htm
Canyonlands NP - http://www.nps.gov/cany/photosmultimedia/multimedia.htm
Clara Barton National Historic Site - http://www.nps.gov/clba/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm
Curecanti National Recreation Area - http://www.nps.gov/cure/photosmultimedia/parkcasts.htm
Everglades NP - http://www.nps.gov/ever/photosmultimedia/podcast.htm
Gettysburg National Military Park - http://www.nps.gov/gett/historyculture/gettysburg-podcast-tours.htm
Glacier NP - http://www.nps.gov/glac/photosmultimedia/index.htm
Grand Canyon NP - http://www.nps.gov/grca/photosmultimedia/index.htm
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial - http://www.nps.gov/jeff/photosmultimedia/pastcast.htm
Katmai National Park and Preserve - http://www.nps.gov/katm/photosmultimedia/katmai-podcasts.htm
Mississippi National River & Rec. Area - http://www.nps.gov/miss/hrhy.htm
Petersburg National Battlefield - http://www.nps.gov/pete/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm
Richmond National Battlefield - http://www.nps.gov/rich/photosmultimedia/index.htm
Rock Creek Park - http://www.nps.gov/rocr/photosmultimedia/multimedia.htm
Yellowstone NP - http://www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/multimedia.htm
Yosemite NP - http://www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/index.htm
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Public Meetings Scheduled to Discuss Development of Tennessee State Heritage Areas Program
July 2, 2008
Nashville, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will hold a series of public meetings in July to discuss the development of a State Heritage Areas Program. Modeled on the National Park Service’s National Heritage Areas Program, this effort would provide technical assistance to Tennessee’s rural communities as they work to preserve their natural, historic and cultural resources.
East Tennessee
- Athens - 6 p.m. on July 8 at the McMinn County Courthouse, located at 6 East Madison Avenue.
- Kingsport - 11 a.m. on July 9 at the Civic Auditorium, located at 1550 Fort Henry Drive.
- Farragut - 6 p.m. on July 9 at City Hall, located at 11408 Municipal Center Drive.
Middle Tennessee
- Shelbyville - 11 a.m. on July 7 at the Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Center, located at 220 Tulip Tree Drive.
- Nashville - 4 p.m. on July 7 at the Oaks Building, located at 1001 Kermit Drive.
- Cookeville - 11 a.m. on July 8 at the city’s First Presbyterian Church.
- Paris - 11 a.m. on July 11 at Krider Performing Arts Center, located at 650 Volunteer Drive.
- Jackson - 6 p.m. on July 11 at the Jackson Environmental Field Office, located at 1625 Hollywood Drive.
The State Heritage Areas Program is intended to increase regional identity and tourism; promote greater local involvement in regional planning; strengthen local commitments to conservation and historic preservation; encourage opportunities for interpretation and education for visitors and residents; and provide economic incentives to protect natural, historic and cultural resources.
For more information about the public meeting schedule, please call (615) 532-0748.
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National Parks Offer Good Old Fashioned Fun for Visitors
June 26, 2008
Washington, D.C. – The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to kick-off the upcoming travel season with many new and exciting adventures awaiting park visitors, as well as traditional programs that families come back time and again to enjoy. From the shores of Maine and Alaska to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the warm beaches of California and the Virgin Islands, national parks offer something for everyone. NPS Director Mary Bomar said, “The national parks are gearing up for our 100th Anniversary in 2016 – the Centennial of the National Parks, and more and more family programs are available for our visitors to enjoy. Your national parks pay homage to our ancestors and inspire our children to become better stewards of the parks for tomorrow. National parks provide incredible opportunities to experience the marvelous natural and cultural heritage of our country. I welcome you to come out and enjoy your national parks this year and every year.”
The National Park Service has developed and made available a web site to help inform visitors about what’s new in national parks this year. Learn about the many park events, activities, and new facilities that have been planned or are available for the upcoming travel season. Visit the “National Parks: The Place to be for Family Fun” website at: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/parks2008/index.htm to learn more about what’s happening in national parks across the country.
The National Park Service always recommends stopping by the park’s visitor center to get the latest, most up-to-date park information. In addition, NPS reminds visitors that safety is critical, and hikers should stay n marked trails and let family members and/or friends know their whereabouts. Remember to dress appropriately for the elements and activities you are going to engage in, and it’s always best to have plenty of water on hand. Parks Rangers are easily recognizable in their distinctive green and gray uniforms. Ask questions…that’s what they are there for!
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NPS Announces Natural Resource Award Winners
June 26, 2008
WASHINGTON – Six National Park Service (NPS) employees are the 2007 recipients of the Director’s Awards for Natural Resource Stewardship. “The winners share a strong commitment to the restoration and maintenance of our country’s natural heritage,” said Bert Frost, Associate Director of Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. “Their projects and careers epitomize the wide variety of resource management work taking place throughout the National Park Service.” The recipients are:
Director’s Award for Superintendent of the Year for Natural Resource Stewardship Winner: Vaughn Baker – Superintendent, Rocky Mountain National Park
Vaughn Baker’s five-year tenure as Rocky Mountain National Park Superintendent exemplifies conservation leadership and adaptive management. In 2007, his leadership resulted in three landmark efforts: Rocky Mountain’s Nitrogen Deposition Reduction Plan, the park’s Elk and Vegetation Management Plan/EIS, and the NPS’s Grand Ditch breach case, which has resulted in the largest natural resource damages payment in park service history.
Director’s Award for Natural Resource Research Winner: Dr. Raymond M. Sauvajot – Chief, Division of Planning, Science, and Resource Management, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Dr. Sauvajot has successfully developed and led a major research program to assess the impacts of urbanization and fragmentation on the natural resources of parks in urban areas. He found opportunities for financial and in-kind partnerships with multiple agencies and jurisdictions involved in the Santa Monica Mountains and drew on the rich academic and volunteer pool in urbanized Southern California. The resulting science-based knowledge continues to be directly incorporated into local and regional management actions and critical land use decisions at every level, improving the ability of the park and its cooperators to preserve and protect natural resources.
Director’s Award for Natural Resource Management Winner: Michele Girard – Ecologist, Southern Arizona Group
Michele Girard’s broad knowledge and wide range of skills help her fill existing gaps in numerous small park resource management capabilities by identifying park needs, developing, coordinating, and planning projects, preparing compliance documents, designing integrated pest management (IPM) activities,supervising resource staffs, and facilitating contracts. In 2007, she provided leadership in addressing border issues including the impacts of illegal immigration paths, the new pedestrian fence, and installation of buried fiber-optic lines in border parks. She helped several parks establish and fund projects to remove exotic species and to reestablish native species.
Professional Excellence in Natural Resources Award Winner: Dr. Margaret Wild – Wildlife Management and Health Program Manager, WASO Biological Resources Management Division
Dr. Wild has led the effort to understand, monitor and analyze, and address existing and emerging wildlife disease issues that affect park resources nationwide. She led the successful Service-wide wildlife disease program that provides a long-term foundation for improving or maintaining wildlife health. She developed the quick response, mobile Wildlife Health Team of wildlife biologists and veterinarians.
Director’s Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship through Maintenance Winner: George Henderson – Engineering Equipment Operator, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
For over 25 years, George Henderson has provided leadership in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s restoration efforts. He has identified machinery needs, restoration methodology, and individual site requirements, as well as worked through NEPA compliance. Henderson continuously demonstrates his awareness and understanding of park natural resources through his ability to identify and remove non-native materials from impacted sites, while avoiding damage to native vegetation with his excavator.
Trish Patterson Student Conservation Association Award for Natural Resource Management in a Small Park Winner: Scott Stonum – Chief of Resource Management, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Scott Stonum led a restoration project from start-to-finish that more than doubled the amount of tidal marsh along the lower Lewis and Clark River. The project reconnects 54 acres of diked pasture to the river and allows the slow conversion to native riparian, willow and Sitka spruce swamp communities. Stonum helped acquire the property, obtained more than $700,000 to make the project happen, secured state and county support and permits, and won the participation of key partners and landholders. He built links between resources management and the park’s education program, raising community awareness about the watershed.
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Celebrate Independence in America’s National Parks
June 26, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC –What better way to celebrate Independence Day this year than by visiting a national park? The National Park Service has the honor of preserving numerous areas that commemorate the birth of the United States and American Independence. The ideals and freedoms that were won during the American Revolution and guaranteed in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are celebrated throughout the National Park System.
“Many of the events and people that established and helped maintain our Independence as a nation are today commemorated in areas managed by the National Park Service,” said Mary A. Bomar, Director of the National Park Service. “The Fourth of July is a great time to visit a national park and celebrate the birth of this nation with family and friends.”
The National Park Service has made available, in time for the Fourth of July, a website to assist visitors as they make plans to visit national parks this Independence Day. By visiting the Celebrating Independence in America’s National Parks website at http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/inde/celebrate.htm