About.com National & State Parks

All Aboard Lowell National Historical Park Trolley!

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:20:06 +0000

� NPS

Family, fun, and free!! On Saturday, November 28, families can join a Park Ranger for a free round-trip ride aboard the Lowell National Historical Park Trolley.

During the journey, families will hear a reading of the classic children's story by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express. And at the end, they will can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and receive a special Trolley Express remembrance.

The Trolley Express departs from the Boott Cotton Mills Museum 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 978-970-5000.

The Trolley Express is presented in conjunction with Lowell's annual City of Lights Festival. Click here for a complete list of City of Lights activities being offered this holiday season.

All Aboard Lowell National Historical Park Trolley! originally appeared on About.com National & State Parks on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 08:20:06.

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Are You a Facebook Fan Yet?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:38:35 +0000

� Lauren Himiak

Now you don't even have to leave the comfort of Facebook to get updates on About.com's National & State Park's page. Simply become a fan and let Facebook update you on new features, profiles, and blogs.

Visit my Facebook page and click "Become a Fan." And as always, let me know what you think!

Are You a Facebook Fan Yet? originally appeared on About.com National & State Parks on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 16:38:35.

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Cut Your Own Christmas Tree at Olympic National Forest

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:28 +0000

� Lauren Himiak

Planning to cut your own Christmas tree this year? Well, look no further than Olympic National Forest.

Tree permits are now available for $5. One tree is allowed per family, and trees may be cut only in designated areas. Maps and information about cutting areas will be provided with each permit.

Douglas fir is the most abundant and popular Christmas tree species found in the forest, and pacific silver fir may be found along ridge tops at higher elevations.

Permits can be received by mail or in person at Olympic Forest Headquarters, 1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia, Wash. 98512-5623. Call 360-956-2400 for more information. Permits can also be purchased in person at the Hoodsport Visitor Information Center, 150 North Lake Cushman Road, in Hoodsport. Checks or money orders should be made out to USDA Forest Service.

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree at Olympic National Forest originally appeared on About.com National & State Parks on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 10:00:28.

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National Parks Get a Big Win in Congress

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:00:06 +0000

� dionhinchcliffe via Flickr

Hooray for the parks! A final bipartisan vote in Congress has passed the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2010 (HR 2996). The act provides $32.2 billion for preservation, maintenance and research on the nation's public lands, as well as a large amount of operational dollars for the National Park Service.

The act allocates more than $2.2 billion to the park service for "expenses necessary for the management, operation, and maintenance of areas and facilities." Of that, $9.9 million will specifically go to the Everglades for planning and coordination of restoration projects. Another $98.6 million will be used for "maintenance, repair or rehabilitation projects for constructed assets, operation of the National Park Service automated facility management software system, and comprehensive facility condition assessments." Also, the national parks will receive $15 million in matching funds for Park Partnership signature projects, $68.4 million for recreational, natural, cultural and heritage programs, and $79.5 million for historic preservation.

The new law also authorizes Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to acquire land and waterways to support transportation and accommodation of visitors to Ellis Island, Governors Island and Liberty Island.

National Parks Get a Big Win in Congress originally appeared on About.com National & State Parks on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 07:00:06.

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Study Reveals Nitrogen Pollution is Ruining Rockies Lakes

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:46:52 +0000

� krossbow via Flickr

A recent study has found that airborne nitrogen pollution and farm fertilizer is negatively affecting algae in the alpine lakes of Rocky Mountain National Park. And it's worse than we originally thought.

The nitrogen's sources include vehicle exhaust, farm fertilizer, and power plant emissions. The more nitrogen in a lake, the more polluted algae becomes. As the algae becomes less nutritious for fish and other organisms, the less diverse the lake becomes.

The study's lead author, Arizona State University professor James Elser, hopes to continue the study to find how changes in algae populations are affecting the rest of the ecosystem. Previous studies have found nitrogen levels increasing in Rocky Mountain National Park which is causing an increase in sedges rather than flowering plants.

A 2007 plan signed by state and federal officials and Rocky Mountain National Park aims to reduce airborne nitrogen levels over 25 years. At that time, researchers found nitrogen levels were 20 times more than normal. State and federal efforts have reduced pollution from power plants and vehicles and future plans aim to cut emissions by another 100,000 tons of nitrogen oxide per year in Colorado over the next 10-15 years.

Study Reveals Nitrogen Pollution is Ruining Rockies Lakes originally appeared on About.com National & State Parks on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 00:46:52.

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NPS Has Plans for St. Louis' Gateway Arch Grounds

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:29:39 +0000

� Mike Willis via Flickr

The National Park Service has released its final management plan for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the 37-hectare park that includes the Arch and historic Old Courthouse.

The plan stresses the need for better connections between downtown St. Louis, the Arch grounds, the Mississippi riverfront, nearby commercial areas and East St. Louis, Ill., across the river.�One solution being considered is a seasonal water taxi to ferry visitors across the river.

The plan also calls for:

Improved links to the grounds across Memorial Drive, which runs between the Arch and the Old Courthouse.
More education the public, improve services offered to public, and to increase special events.
Renovation of Museum of Westward Expansion.

The Park Service hopes to hold a contest for architects and designers to pitch their own ideas for protecting historic and cultural aspects of the park. If funding comes thru for such a contest, a winner would hopefully be picked by the end of 2010. Changes to the park are slated between 2014 and 2016.

NPS Has Plans for St. Louis' Gateway Arch Grounds originally appeared on About.com National & State Parks on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 11:29:39.

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Glacier National Park Welcomes Albino Black Bear

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:12:08 +0000

� Derek Reich - Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Glacier National Park has opened its doors to a new, and very rare, resident: an albino black bear.

In mid-October, residents of Olney, MT reported a pale-colored bear to Tim Manley, a grizzly bear management specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.�He quickly set up a culvert trap and within a few days, captured the bear.

The albino black bear was a 4-year-old male weighing about 150 pounds. Residents urged Manley to move the bear somewhere more secure as the bear would be a target during hunting season. He contacted�Glacier National Park biologist John Waller and the bear was approved for relocation.

This an exciting time for the park as albino bears typically do not survive very long because they often have vision problems.

Glacier National Park Welcomes Albino Black Bear originally appeared on About.com National & State Parks on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 11:12:08.

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November 11 is Fee Free at National Parks, Forests, and More!

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:23:35 +0000

� muirtrail68 via Flickr

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the next Fee Free Day! On Wednesday, November 11 there will be no entrance fees for national parks, national forests, refuges, and other interior lands.

Visitors to public recreation lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation are invited to take a day to honor service men and women.

"The Department of the Interior is honored to offer this fee free day to thank our nation's service men and women," said Salazar said "The sacrifices and achievements of the brave men and women of our armed forces can never be understated. We invite all of our visitors to enjoy this fee free day and take time out on this national holiday to remember our service men and women who are currently serving overseas in harm's way."

November 11 is Fee Free at National Parks, Forests, and More! originally appeared on About.com National & State Parks on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 15:23:35.

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New Legislation Wants Hudson River Valley Included in NPS

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:05:08 +0000

� jmd41280 via Flickr

U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey has introduced a bill that could pave the way to include the Hudson River Valley in the National Park Service system.

The bill would allow for a study to be conducted by the park service to determine if the area could benefit from its programs and could take as long as 24 months to complete. The area's of study would range from Fort Edward in Washington County to Westchester County.

Already loved for its trails and scenery, if the Hudson River Valley does become an official part of the National Park Service,�the region would be eligible for funding needed for conservation efforts, historic preservation, tourism promotion, and other economic development activities.

New Legislation Wants Hudson River Valley Included in NPS originally appeared on About.com National & State Parks on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 11:05:08.

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Future of National Parks Conference Available Thru Web Casts

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:10 +0000

On Nov. 4-5, the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will join the National Parks Conservation Association to discuss the future of national parks. The conference will bring together about 100 leaders from around the country.

Although attendance at the conference is by invitation only, the public is invited to view live webcasts from several portions of the conference:

Nov. 4, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (EST): Second Century commissioners present their recommendations about park system expansion; natural and cultural resources; education and engagement, and sustainable funding.
Nov. 5, 7 p.m. (EST): Commissioners Denis Galvin, former deputy director, NPS, and Dr. Stephen H. Lockhart, chairman of the board of Yosemite National Institutes, lead a public discussion about how recommendations of the Second Century Commission relate to parks in the region.

Access the web casts online!

Future of National Parks Conference Available Thru Web Casts originally appeared on About.com National & State Parks on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 14:00:10.

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