Wows and Pows - Week of Feb. 13th

Wows!

It was our first week on the road and we got to see tons of epic places, awesome landscapes, and work with some cool Leave No Trace learners! One highlight was working with the S.A.F.E. Afterschool Program in Rio Rancho, NM. In what must have been one of the most epic days in elementary school history, the students went on a field trip to a Natural History Museum to learn about dinosaurs and fossils before playing some sweet Leave No Trace games! One big hit was Okay/No Way! This rockin' game mixes questions about all seven principles, PEAK-style, with freeze tag. Kids as young as kindergarten were answering about observing wildlife from a distance with the Rule of Thumb technique and staying on the trail when on a hike. Thanks again, Rio Rancho!

Quinn poses in Petrified Forest, but stays on the trail!

Pows!

In between Albuquerque and Sedona, we were lucky enough to stop in and spend an afternoon at Petrified Forest National Park. This epic park is home to petrified wood over 250 million years old! Everyone we met who worked there was super-friendly, informative, and really dialed in to the Leave No Trace principles and mindset. Unfortunately, a lot of the sites at this park are heavily impacted. The park has to go to extraordinary measures to prevent individuals from removing pieces of the petrified wood from the park, including vehicle inspections when exiting. We also had a long talk with a Leave No Trace all-star ranger who was endeavoring to keep people on the path at petroglyph sites in order to preserve the history of peoples who once lived in the area hundreds of years ago. Remember when you're outdoors to Leave What You Find and Choose the Right Path, staying on the paved trail and avoiding visitor-created paths. We want to give a shoutout to all the rangers putting in such great work to preserve one of the coolest places we've ever been to! Y'all rock!

From the Sunny Southwest,

Quinn & Frank

Dream Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park - Photo by B. Lawhon

"We simply need that wild country available to us, even if we never do more than drive to its edge and look in. For it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, a part of the geography of hope."

- Wallace Stegner, the Wilderness Letter

Leave What You Find

On a recent trip to Canyonlands National Park in Utah, I learned about a way that the National Park Service helps to limit the visitation and use of delicate archaeological sites. Before heading out, a friend told me of an archaeological site in the park that was accessible to visitors but not officially advertised in any information or maps published by the NPS. However, park officials were required to disclose the location of the site if a visitor asked for directions.

Still, I was a little shy when I walked up to the desk in the Island of the Sky Visitor Center and asked the Park Ranger about the site. To my surprise, he did not hesitate at all to begin describing the hike to the archaeological site. He then explained to me how the National Park Service minimizes the number of visitors to fragile cultural resources. Some sites, such as the Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park are openly advertised in park publications. These sites are denoted as "Class 1" archaeological sites. "Class 2" sites are those that are never mentioned by park employees unless someone inquires about them. The site I visited in Canyonlands was such a site. "Class 3" sites, however, are off limits to any visitor: even if someone asks for their locations.

So next time you visit a National Park, take advantage of the opportunities to visit archaeological sites that are not well-known to the general public. But please do so responsibly, and Leave What You Find!

Road Wisdom: Our National Parks

So, this is the type of Road Wisdom that we would usually come up with as the busy summer season approaches. However, recently we have been fortunate enough to spend a good amount of time in some of our National Parks, which are still very busy. So here goes.

Whether it’s the Ken Burns documentary The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, people trying to save a few bucks by going outdoors for vacation, or President Obama sightings at the Grand Canyon, National Parks have been reporting increased visits across the country. The reports for the first half alone of 2009 showed that National Park visits had increased by 4.5 million. This is great news for the parks and great news for those concerned about ‘nature deficit disorder’.

So, in honor of America’s Best Idea, we wanted to offer a few reminders to all National Park visitors. These were some of the most common impacts (in no particular order) to our Parks that can be easily fixed by us, the visitors:

• Trash – When visiting the Parks be ready to pack your trash out to the nearest trash cans or recycling bins.
• Pets – Check the Park regulations about leash requirements and be prepared to pick up after them.
• Wildlife – Feeding wildlife can not only hurt them, but could hurt you as well.
• Speeding – Speeding kills numerous animals every year in our Parks, over 20 bears have been killed in Yosemite National Park alone in 2009 by speeding vehicles.
• Trail etiquette – Remember, hikers always yield to pack animals and bikers always yield to hikers and pack animals.
  

See ya out there,

JD & Emily
Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers

25 National Parks in Peril from Climate Change

From Backpacker Magazine:

Acadia National Park

Yellowstone is losing its white-bark pines (whose nuts are an important food source for the park’s grizzlies). Rocky Mountain National Parks is losing most, if not all, of its mature lodgepole pines. Mesa Verde has already lost most of its piñon pine trees. And more than trees are suffering from climate change: We might pack it in and pack it out, but human-generated greenhouse gas emissions have put our national parks in big trouble.

National Parks in Peril: The Threats of Climate Disruption, a report released by the Rocky Mountain Climate Organization in collaboration with the National Resources Defense Council on October 1, identified the 25 national parks most adversely affected by climate change. Though the report stresses that all 391 parks are threatened, the report’s authors established 11 different types of risk to assess which parks were in the greatest danger. Whether it be due to loss of ice and snow, higher seas and coastal storms, intolerable heat or other factors, these parks are feeling the affects of a warming climate, now:

-Acadia National Park
-Assateague Island National Seashore
-Bandelier National Monument
-Biscayne National Park
-Cape Hatteras National Seashore
-Colonial National Historic Park
-Denali National Park
-Dry Tortugas National Park
-Ellis Island National Monument
-Everglades National Park
-Glacier National Park
-Great Smokey Mountains National Park
-Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
-Joshua Tree National Park
-Lake Mead National Recreation Area
-Mesa Verde National Park
-Mount Rainier National Park
-Padre Island National Seashore
-Rocky Mountain National Park
-Saguaro National Park
-Theodore Roosevelt National Park
-Virgin Islands National Park/Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
-Yellowstone National Park
-Yosemite National Park
-Zion National Park

The report appealed to the Obama administration, Congress, and the National Park Services Department to accept that human disruption of the climate is the greatest threat ever to our national parks. It urges them to consider and implement 32 actions specific to national parks, including setting aside additional national park land, making a national commitment to becoming carbon neutral at all park sites, drastically lowering greenhouse gas emissions (20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050 based on current levels), and accelerating the implementation of clean energy technologies.

Glacier National Park

The report closes with a quote from Mike Finley, the former superintendent of Everglades, Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks:

The establishment and protection of the National Park System is one of the best ideas that America has institutionalized. Our parks provide inspiration, education, and enjoyment. Moreover, they represent some of our greatest resources of genetic and biological diversity and intact ecosystems. They are our seed banks for restoring the nation’s lands and waters already ravaged by our careless development and the early impacts of climate change. In one sense, they represent a life boat for our biological future. We need to take immediate action to reduce our use of fossil fuels and the resulting climate disruption before we sink our life boat and destroy the values and purposes of our national parks for future generations.

Looking for ways you can keep our parks from sinking under the weight of climate change?

Check out:

Save Yellowstone and the Greater Rockies

The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization

National Resources Defense Council

-Jessie Lucier

National Parks Plan 3 Free Summer Weekends

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Park Service will allow visitors free entry during three weekends this summer to encourage Americans to visit national parks such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain National Park.

The fee waivers — one each month in June, July and August — will apply to all 391 national parks across the country, from Alaska to Florida.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the free weekends should help American families struggling with the recession afford a memorable vacation.

All 147 Park Service sites that charge fees for entry will waive entrance fees from June 20-21, July 18-19 and August 15-16, Salazar said.

Entry fees being waived range from $3 to $25. That does not apply to fees charged for camping, reservations, tours or concessions.

Car Camping in Style

For some it’s the smell of a campfire. For others, it’s sleeping under the stars. And, for others it’s simply being outside for a night. In 2007, more than 60 million people went car camping in the U.S. These people stayed at state parks, private campgrounds, national parks, US Forest Service campgrounds and everywhere in between. For many, car camping is the preferred way to enjoy the out-of-doors.

There are many reasons that car camping is so popular in the U.S. For starters, it’s relatively easy when compared to backpacking–you can take fresh food, coolers, large camp stoves, barbeque grills, hammocks, sun shelters, games, pets, folding camp chairs, etc. Additionally, developed campgrounds generally offer trashcans or dumpsters, bathrooms, washing facilities, picnic tables, flat tent pads and even electricity in some locations. Another reason is that many car camping areas are close to home and easily accessible. Finally, car camping is something that the whole family can enjoy together.

Fortunately, car camping makes it easy to camp in style while minimizing impact. Here are a few things to keep in mind on your next car camping trip for Leaving No Trace:

Know Before You Go – Decide where you want to go–trips close to home are usually easiest. The US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service and most state parks offer many car camping opportunities. Some designated campgrounds are very developed (showers, laundry, hot tubs, etc.) and other areas quite primitive (pit toilets, no running water, very few if any amenities, etc.) Visit http://www.reserveamerica.com/ or http://www.recreation.gov to find and reserve a site that meets your needs. Borrow or purchase some basic gear if you don’t already have it: tent, sleeping bag, pad, stove, lantern, etc. Be sure to bring all other items you’ll need to ensure a comfortable stay. Also find out if there are any special regulations for the area or campground you’ll be visiting.

Overnight Right – Many designated campsites offer tent pads or other areas that are well suited for tents. Use these areas. If no designated tent sites exist, put your tent site and kitchen site on the most durable surface available: gravel, bare ground, rock, etc. Consider putting a tarp down in your kitchen area to catch food and trash which can then be easily put into the trash. When traveling around campgrounds, to and from the bathhouse for example, use established paths.

Trash Your Trash – If trashcans are provided, use them. If not, take your trash back home with you so you can dispose of it properly. Burning trash is highly discouraged and burying trash is never in style.

Where’s the Bathroom? – Should your chosen campground have toilet facilities, use them. If not, bury human waste in a small hole 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water sources. Be sure to pick up after your pet too. Use a plastic grocery bag or newspaper bag and toss pet waste in the trash or pack it out.

Leave It As You Find it – Remember that other campers will likely visit your site in the future. Leave the site in a condition that others can enjoy.

Be Careful with Fire – Camp stoves are generally much easier to cook on than fires, and they are safer and create less impact. If you do want to have a fire, make sure it’s permitted and safe. Use existing fire rings and keep your fire small. Remember, a campfire isn’t a trashcan so pack out or throw away your trash. Before gathering any firewood in a campground, make sure it’s allowed.

Keep Wildlife Wild – Securely store all your food when car camping. In many locations this means in your car. Check with rangers or campground host about proper food storage. Remember, feeding wildlife is unhealthy for them and starts bad habits.

Share Our Campgrounds – Be considerate of other campers by adhering to campground rules, keeping your pet under control and by being a good neighbor.

These simple tips will make easy to Leave No Trace of your next car camping adventure.

Visiting America's National Parks

Between 1923 and 2007, annual visits to America’s national parks grew from 1.5 million to 275 million. It’s no wonder why–our national parks are truly amazing places! If you’re a well-seasoned park visitor you already know why these places are so special. If you’ve never experienced a national park, don’t wait any longer. The National Park Service manages 56 national parks and an additional 300+ park service units such as national monuments, historic sites, battlefields, wild rivers, long-distance trails and national seashores. With so many options, a little preplanning will go a long way towards ensuring a great visit to one of these treasures.

The best place to start is the National Park Service website: www.NPS.gov. The site allows users to access information about every Park Service unit in the country. The information on the site is organized into four main categories: Parks & Recreation, History & Culture, Nature & Science and Interpretation & Education. Additionally, each Park Service unit has its own website that provides in-depth information, area maps, lists of activities and education programs, and tips on planning your visit. Most national parks have a visitor center that you can call to speak with a ranger about the area. You can also have the Park Service send you maps and other information to help you plan your visit.

There are several things to consider when deciding which national park to visit:

• What activities are you interested in? Hiking, rafting, camping, fishing, bird watching, auto touring, snowshoeing, horseback What time of year will you be visiting, and what will the weather be like?
  
• How much time will you have? One day or a week?
  
• Are there entrance fees? If so, how much? 
  
• Does the park offer ranger-led activities, hikes and education programs?
  
• Where will you stay in the area? 
  
• If you plan on camping, do you need reservations or a permit?
  
• Are there particular wildlife considerations for the area? 
  

Planning your visit to a national park is easy and fun. By doing a little research, such as visiting the National Park Service website or calling a visitor center for information, you can be prepared, knowledgeable and ready experience all that our national parks have to offer.

The 10 Best Undiscovered...

How many times have you seen this headline on a magazine or on the internet, "The 10 Best Undiscovered National Parks, Trails, Campsites, Rivers, Caves, etc."? I just recently ran across another such headline and find it frustrating. It's frustrating because those undiscovered or secret spots that we each know of and have a connection with aren't so secret after all. All it takes is one article in the latest outdoor magazine and on your next visit you can't find a place to park, much less a place to put your tent.

While I am in favor of sharing information about special places and areas of interest, I prefer a little more restraint so that these locations aren't immediately overrun with people. I also realize that new champions for parks, forest and open spaces are cultivated by bringing folks there to experience the area firsthand. However, I feel that it needs to be done in a sustainable way.

What happened to word of mouth 'advertising' for these places? We're in such an age of technology that everything is literally at your fingertips, including information about those hidden, out-of-the-way or off-the-beaten-path places that I thought only I knew about. Reversing this trend is a not a realistic option but educating folks about how to enjoy new areas responsibly is an option. Once again, this is where Leave No Trace comes in. Get out and enjoy but leave the place in such a way that the folks who come after you at least feel like they have discovered something new...

National Mall in D.C. in Trouble

I just read a disheartening article about the poor condition of the National Mall in Washington D.C.



http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-11-13-nationalmall_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip(link

The article detailed a number of issues the Mall is facing but also focused on the bigger picture of the current status of the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS is charged with managing a system that contains nearly 400 units (National Parks, National Battlefields, National Historic Parks, National Rivers, National Monuments, National Seashores, etc.) that comprise 84 million acres of land. Due to significant budget deficits and lack of both personnel and resources, our parks are suffering. Some of the damage is the result of management issues but other damage is the result of overuse, and in some cases, outright abuse. Leave No Trace is an obvious solution to some of the damage. However, there are other issues that can likely only be dealt with by Congress. I urge you to support our National Parks to the extent you can so that this wonderful resource can endure for future generations. I know that someday I want my son to be able to enjoy and explore our wonderful system of parks, battlefields, seashores, monuments and rivers as I have done...