National Park Guide

By the Numbers: Shenandoah National Park

Bob Janiskee — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:55:55 +0000

1,120,981

Recreational visits to Shenandoah National Park in 2009. That’s an increase of 4.2% over last year, but still far below the peak attendance of 2.8 million (in 1977).

199,045

Acreage (equal to 311 square miles). Shenandoah is long and narrow, being 105 miles long and nowhere more than about 15 miles wide.

Abstract:

Two-thirds of America’s population lives within a day’s drive of Shenandoah National Park, which is located in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains just 75 miles west of Washington, DC. Made automobile-convenient by a venerable parkway that winds through its forested mountains, Shenandoah is a recreational cornucopia and a sightseer’s delight.

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Free Workshop Targets Connecting Kids With Nature

About.com National & State Parks — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:30:06 +0000

In just a few short weeks, Glacier National Par k will offer a free workshop for professional educators and those who work with children focused on how to get kids outside and engaged with nature.

The full-day session will be held on Saturday, April 10 at the West Glacier Community Building from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Topics to be covered include how to encourage youth to spend time outdoors and fun activities that connect children with nature. Since the day will primarily be outside, be prepared with appropriate clothing.

Availability is limited to the first 40 registrants, so email Debby Mensch or call 406-888-7942 to register.

Free Workshop Targets Connecting Kids With Nature originally appeared on About.com National & State Parks on Sunday, March 21st, 2010 at 08:30:06.

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Good Winter Rains, Warming Temperatures Spurring Blooms in Joshua Tree National Park

Kurt Repanshek — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:32:14 +0000

Good winter rains and warmer spring days seem to be doing the trick in Joshua Tree National Park, where the spring bloom is moving right along.

Abstract:

Good winter rains and warmer spring days seem to be doing the trick in Joshua Tree National Park, where the spring bloom is moving right along. It's still too early, though, to say this year's bloom will match those colorful displays of 2005 and 2008.

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Will Yellowstone Win the National Parks Playoffs?

Donna Childress — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:10:27 +0000

 It isn’t often that an e-mail from the Government Printing Office grabs my attention, but this week’s popped up saying, National Parks Playoff. Hmm. Better open that.

It said this, more or less:

"It’s that time of year again, when playoffs of all kinds are in the news!

Abstract:

 It isn’t often that an e-mail from the Government Printing Office grabs my attention, but this week’s popped up saying, “National Parks Playoff.” Hmm. Better open that.

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The Changing Range of Light, Portraits of the Sierra Nevada

Kurt Repanshek — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:04:34 +0000

As sunrise washes the High Sierra of Yosemite National Park with its rays, it flares the landscape, highlighting peaks such as Cathedral and Tuolumne and Mount Hoffman.

Abstract:

A gorgeous new book of photography that captures the seasons of the High Sierra has arrived, but it comes with a pausing message that this beautiful landscape is changing before our eyes.

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Special Events At Shenandoah National Park Include Easter Egg Hunt and Vintner Dinners

Kurt Repanshek — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:32:33 +0000

With its great location in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park is one of those national parks that is within easy reach of day-trippers. With that in mind, the park's concessionaire has developed a number of special events for young and old.

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Biologist Cain reflects on Grand Teton National Park Wildlife Adventures

Todd Wilkinson — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:14:12 +0000

Editor's note: Steve Cain, senior wildlife biologist at Grand Teton National Park, is being honored with the Intermountain Region Director's 2009 award for professional excellence in natural resources. Contributing writer Todd Wilkinson caught up with Mr. Cain the other day to discuss his work in the park.

When he is in the brambles, Steve Cain can be elusive.

Abstract:

The work of Grand Teton National Park’s senior wildlife biologist has received much-deserved recognition with a regional National Park Service award for excellence. The honor also is a victory for applied, hand’s-on ecology.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Recruiting for “Elk Bugle Corps”

Kurt Repanshek — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:11:28 +0000

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials once again are looking for volunteers to help them manage both people and elk in the Cataloochee Valley on the North Carolina side of the park.

The “Elk Bugle Corps” program assists park rangers with providing visitor information on responsible elk viewing practices and elk behavior and to help with parking and traffic ma

Abstract:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials once again are looking for volunteers to help them manage both people and elk in the Cataloochee Valley on the North Carolina side of the park.

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Crew cleaning up rock slide on Little River Road; may reopen Sunday evening

knoxnews.com Stories: GoSmokies — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:15:00 +0000

TOWNSEND - A contractor began today removing a rock slide on Little River Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and officials hope the 8-mile stretch will reopen by Sunday evening.

Rockslide Forces Closing of a Section of Little River Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Bob Janiskee — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:13:39 +0000

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an eight-mile section at the western end of Little River Road has been closed while work crews deal with a rockslide. Drivers operating larger vehicles must be aware of bridge weight limits on the detour.

Abstract:

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a section of Little River Road has been closed while work crews deal with a rockslide. Motorists with larger RVs must be aware of bridge weight limits on the detour.

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