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Grand Teton National Park

Planned closures begin after Labor Day

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Five planned temporary closures will take place after Labor Day in Grand Teton National Park as construction and road improvements projects get underway. Tentative schedules and locations of projects are:

Moose-Wilson Road

As previously planned, the southern portion of the Moose-Wilson Road from Granite Canyon Entrance to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve will close to all access the day after Labor Day, September 6. This section of road will reopen to winter activity in December, through March 2023. The closure is needed because the road is too narrow to safely allow construction equipment and visitor traffic.

The northern section of the road will remain open to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve and Death Canyon Trailhead from the north, via Moose, WY.

Grand Teton is working in partnership with Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Teton Village Association to provide access to trails originating from the Granite Canyon Trailhead, including Granite Canyon, Marion Lake, and the Teton Crest Trail. To access park trails from Teton Village, park in the Ranch Lot and walk or take the shuttle bus to the base area. Begin hiking from the Ranch Lot or ride the Aerial Tram or Bridger Gondola (fees apply) to avoid hiking the initial elevation.

Jackson Lake Dam Boat Launch

The Jackson Lake Dam Boat Launch area in Grand Teton National Park (located below the dam on the north side) will close to all access, including boating, fishing, and parking, beginning September 6. Work will continue into the spring of 2023, with no further closures anticipated, as phase two of the Snake River Gateways Project is completed. The National Park Service and Grand Teton National Park Foundation are working in partnership on this multi-year project to improve river access points along the Snake River.

All river users may want to consider an alternate plan during this time and should be aware of the skills needed for navigating each section of river. Those opting to launch at Pacific Creek Landing will travel down river to Deadmans Bar, which requires advanced river navigation skills.

The design for the Jackson Lake Dam Launch will provide improved boat launching opportunities with the addition of a boat ramp that will allow two vehicles to launch at the same time, expanded parking, and improved site amenities including picnic tables, bench seating, bicycle parking, viewing areas, and educational information about the Snake River. In addition, area improvements will include ADA (Americans with Disability Act) accessible sidewalks and two fishing platforms.

Phase one work along the Snake River at Pacific Creek Landing was completed in 2021. Phase three of the Snake River Gateways Project, Moose Landing, is planned to begin next year.

Grand Teton National Park Foundation's goal is to raise $7.5 million to support these improvements. When combined with approximately $5.7 million from the National Park Service, private philanthropy will provide a margin of excellence that would not be possible otherwise.

Jenny Lake Scenic Drive

The one-way Jenny Lake Scenic Drive will be temporarily closed September 12-16 while road striping operations occur to improve cyclist safety in the area. The work is contingent on dry weather and closure dates may change. New road signs are also planned to be installed this fall.

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Access Road

The access road to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve is tentatively planned to temporarily close September 26-30 to overlay the roadway with new asphalt to repair the existing surface.

Signal Mountain Summit Road

Signal Mountain Summit Road will be temporarily closed September 14. The closure will begin at 8 a.m. to allow safe transport of a new radio tower to the top of Signal Mountain. This radio tower is important for communications during emergency responses. The road will reopen September 15 at 8 a.m.

Additionally, travelers may encounter minor delays as work occurs on the Gros Ventre Roundabout and along Highway 26/89/191 in Grand Teton National Park throughout the fall. Crews will install new lighting in the roundabout area as well as two winter gates along the highway near Moose and Moran.

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Olympic National Park

Fall closures make way for improvements on Hurricane Ridge Road and Obstruction Point Road

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In fall 2022, a road work project at the Hurricane Ridge area of Olympic National Park will improve safety and accessibility in this heavily-visited area of the national park. Work will begin on September 6, 2022, and will conclude on October 27, 2022. Obstruction Point Road and part of Hurricane Ridge Road will be closed to the public while work is underway. The last day of summer operations at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center will be Thursday, September 15, 2022.

A $1.7 million contract for this project was awarded to Bruch and Bruch Construction of Port Angeles, Washington. Work will include widening Obstruction Point Road to provide a safe vehicle width. On Hurricane Ridge Road, a reinforced soil slope wall will be installed to secure unstable soils near the road. Electrical and fiber optic lines in the work area will be relocated.

Due to narrow road widths and the types of repairs being conducted, it is not possible to provide public access to these areas during construction. During closures, roads will be closed to all vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic.

Closures on Obstruction Point Road
Location: Obstruction Point Road will close at its junction with Hurricane Ridge Road.
Duration: Obstruction Point Road will close on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 7 am and will remain closed for the rest of the 2022 season.

Closures on Hurricane Ridge Road
Location: Hurricane Ridge Road will close to the public at the Heart O' the Hills Entrance Station.
Duration: Beyond the Heart O' the Hills Entrance Station, Hurricane Ridge Road will be closed September 16 to October 21, 2022.

Nearby Areas
The Heart O' the Hills area, including the Heart O' the Hills Campground, will remain open.

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Glacier National Park Fall Operation Adjustments

West side of Going-to-the-Sun Road closed October 1, 2022 to May 15, 2023

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As the autumn season approaches, operations in the park will start winding down. On September 11, the park’s 2022 vehicle reservation pilot study will end. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and prepare for temporary traffic restrictions at the west entrance due to congestion.

Construction on the Lake McDonald Utilities Project will continue along Going-to-the-Sun Road from the south end of Lake McDonald near Apgar Campground to Sprague Creek Campground through September, causing short delays in both directions during the day. The construction zone will be closed Monday through Saturday, 10 pm to 6 am nightly until October 1.

On October 1, the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road will close for the season from the four-way intersection at Apgar to Logan Pass due to the Lake McDonald Utilities project and road crew operations. On the east side, Going-to-the-Sun Road is scheduled to remain open from St. Mary to Logan Pass until Sunday, October 16 at midnight, unless winter weather forces an earlier closure. There will be no access to potable water at Logan Pass starting September 11.

Hiker/biker access is permitted on the road closure west of Logan Pass to North McDonald Road while the GNP Road Crew is not working. A daily road crew closure will be in place while crews are working. Visitors are advised the return to Logan Pass consists of steep up-hill terrain.

Park shuttles will remain in operation until September 18 with reduced services. Beginning September 6, shuttle service will run from 9 am to 5 pm daily with all stops in service. Wait times may be longer than 20 minutes as there are fewer shuttles on the road. Visitors planning to use the shuttle should check the Shuttle page for additional details.

Logan Pass Visitor Center will continue daily visitor information services through Sunday, September 25. Potable water will be unavailable at Logan Pass starting September 11.

St. Mary Visitor Center will continue daily visitor information services through Sunday, October 2. Potable water will be unavailable at St. Mary after Monday, October 11.

Apgar Visitor Center will continue daily visitor information services through Monday, October 10, and then move to weekends through October 23, weather permitting. Restrooms and potable water are available at the Apgar Visitor Center plaza year-round.

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Stunning rare ‘rainbow cave’ discovered at Mount Rainier National Park

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A stunning discovery, a “rainbow cave,” was caught on camera at Mount Rainier National Park.
It was seen illuminating the inside of an ice cave, and the cold crystallized colors were caused by naturally occurring algae.
The light refraction and the thickness of the ice determined the spread of the colors.
However, officials with the National Park Service strongly discourage visitors from entering the ice caves.
They said the caves are prone to spontaneous collapse due to melting, which accelerates this time of year.
In 2015, one person was killed and five others were injured after a collapse at the Big Four Ice Caves in Snohomish County.
It took first responders a couple of days to recover the body of the person killed.
Before reopening the trail, the Forest Service put together a team to look for ways to deter hikers from going into the cave.

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Boston

Bunker Hill Monument Restoration Progresses

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In the past decade the National Park Service has invested over $8M in preservation and restoration work at the Bunker Hill Monument. Today, the Park Service announced that it completed a multi-year, $2M infrastructure improvement to the Bunker Hill Monument, Lodge, and grounds that will improve visitor safety and preserve the historic property. Projects included the restoration of the granite stairs and rails at all four entry points to the Monument grounds as well as repairs and replacement of the 1850s cast iron fence surrounding the Monument. The Lodge will re-open on October 7 after the restoration of the Lodge’s original door, electrical upgrades, and installation of the historic light fixtures are complete.
"We anticipate continuing to make significant investments in advance of the Revolutionary War 250th Anniversary," stated Michael Creasey, Superintendent, National Parks of Boston. Future plans include the restoration of the William Prescott statue and repointing and repairs to the Monument pyramidion and observatory (the point at the top of the Monument). The park will also be installing a new irrigation system to allow for more effective watering of the lawn and trees to address the challenges of maintaining the steep landscape surrounding the Monument.
The National Parks of Boston looks forward to working with our community partners over the next few years on exciting plans to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill and the events leading to the founding of our nation. As Daniel Webster stated at the Monument's dedication in 1843,

"It has a purpose; and that purpose gives it character. That purpose enrobes it with dignity and moral grandeur…it looks, it speaks, it acts, to the full comprehension of every American mind, and the awakening of glowing enthusiasm in every American heart. Its silent, but awful utterance; its deep pathos, as it brings to our contemplation the 17th of June 1775, and the consequences which have result to us, to our country, and to the world, from the events of that day, and which we know must continue to rain influence on the destinies of mankind to the end of time…"

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Blue Ridge Parkway Closure Near Roanoke, Virginia, Extended

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National Park Service officials today announced the project completion date for a Roanoke slope repair project underway at milepost 127.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway has been extended into spring 2023. The unanticipated extension is due to the discovery of a failed culvert in the fill slope that requires full replacement. Once available, the 130-foot pipe will be installed, headwalls and drainage elements completed, and the pavement installed when temperatures allow.

The full closure from milepost 121.4 to milepost 136 and signed detour (graphically depicted above) around the project, from US 220 (mp 121.4) to Adney Gap at US 221 (mp 136), will remain in-place until the work is completed.  Behind the gates, the Parkway is closed to all uses including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The public’s cooperation with these closures helps support the safety of staff, visitors, and the contractor.

A spring 2020 storm resulted in a full road failure roughly one hundred and fifty feet (150') in length at Milepost 127.9. Geotechnical and roadway experts designed and planned a series of repairs for this emergency project, including installation of soil anchors and reconstruction of the fill slope, to stabilize the area and restore safe access. This summer, slope reconstruction has progressed to near road elevation.

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Mesa Verde National Park

Traffic Delays Expected on Main Park Road

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Mesa Verde National Park advises, beginning September 26, visitors should plan for traffic delays of up to 30 minutes between mile 1.6 and 3.2 from the park entrance on US 160 due to road construction and rock scaling along this portion of the road. Rock scaling is performed periodically to address safety concerns posed by the presence of large rocks on an unstable slope next to the road.
On Tuesday, September 27, traffic control is expected to begin at 7:30 am, with up to 30-minute holds on both lanes throughout the day until work ceases at 5:00 pm. Work will take place Monday – Friday until further notice.
Visitors with tour reservations are encouraged to read the ticket information carefully and know the expected drive times between the entrance to the park and their tour destination. All tours begin at least a one-hour drive from the entrance. Long House tours require an additional 20-minute walk from the parking lot to the trailhead. Visitors are always encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to tour times for a safety and logistics briefing!

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Road work to begin October 11 on Park Loop Road at Acadia National Park

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A paving project for the Park Loop Road, Sieur De Monts Spring entrance road, and Old Farm Road will kick off this fall. Paving of the Park Loop Road will begin on October 11, and will start at Sand Beach Entrance Station and go to the end of the one-way at Stanley Brook Road. The paving project will begin with prep work, including the grinding of transitions and milling occurring within the first two weeks. Paving is scheduled for the last two weeks of October. Striping will occur in November after paving has been completed. The project’s timeline is dependent on the weather.
There will be temporary lane closures and some temporary restrictions for parking in the right lane on the Park Loop Road. The project at Sieur De Monts Spring will consist of the insertion of a culvert and paving at the entrance road. Work at Old Farm Road will consist of paving. Visitors should expect possible traffic delays due to traffic management. Visitors should use caution and maintain a safe speed when approaching equipment and crews. Please plan accordingly and pack your patience as the park works to accomplish this necessary and critical preservation work. Visitors are encouraged to check the park’s website for current conditions and other park information.
Additionally, the Cadillac Summit Road will close for the season in early November to accommodate culvert replacement on the Cadillac Summit Road, with paving to follow in the spring. Final dates and details for the Cadillac culvert and paving project will be released as soon as they are available.

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Dick in den Winter: »Fat Bear«
Wahl in Alaska für fette Braunbären

Bei der »Fat Bear«-Wahl kommt es auf die Rundungen an - aber es ist alles andere als ein Schönheitswettbewerb. Meister im Lachsfressen haben beste Gewinnchancen. Der kuriose Wettstreit der fettesten Braunbären in Alaska hat aber auch einen ernsten Hintergrund.

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Wird die üppige Holly in diesem Jahr zum stattlichsten Pelztier gekrönt? Geht der »Fat Bear«-Titel an den massigen Braunbär Nummer 747 mit dem vielsagenden Spitznamen »Jumbo Jet«? Oder kann Otis seinen 1. Platz vom Vorjahr als »Patriarch Dickwanst« wieder einnehmen? Im Herbst 2021 hatte der über 20 Jahre alte Braunbär die beleibte Konkurrenz im Katmai-Nationalpark im nördlichsten US-Bundesstaat Alaska ausgestochen.
Auch jetzt geht Otis neben elf weiteren Kandidaten ins Rennen. Zum achten Mal veranstaltet der Park im Südwesten von Alaska die »Fat Bear Week«. Online können Besucher und Bären-Fans eine Woche lang für die dicksten Prachtexemplare stimmen. Der Gewinner wird am »Fat Bear«-Dienstag (11. Oktober) gekürt.
Nach einem kalorienreichen Sommer mit fetten Lachs-Mahlzeiten am Brooks River zeigen sich die Kandidaten und Kandidatinnen - sechs Weibchen sind im Rennen - von ihrer üppigsten Seite. »Ihnen geht es nur um eine Sache, soviel Lachse wie möglich fressen, um den Winter zu überleben«, erzählt Park-Rangerin Felicia Jimenez der Deutschen Presse-Agentur. Dann rechnet sie vor: Die dicksten Bären können bis zu 40 Lachse am Tag verspeisen. Bei 2500 bis 6000 Kalorien je nach Lachsgröße macht das über 100 000 Kalorien am Tag.
Die Spitznamen verraten es: Nr. 747 (»Jumbo Jet«) zählt mit einer geschätzten Leibesfülle von über 600 Kilogramm zu den schwersten Kandidaten. »Chunk« (zu deutsch »Klotz«) mit einer auffälligen Narbe auf der Schnauze packe das meiste Gewicht auf sein Gesäß, heißt es in seiner Beschreibung. Weibchen, wie Holly oder Grazer, wiegen weniger, denn einen großen Teil ihrer Energie stecken sie in die Aufzucht der Jungen.
Bei der »Fat Bear«-Wahl gibt nicht nur das geschätzte Gewicht den Ausschlag - auch andere Faktoren wiegen schwer. Wie geschickt fangen die Bären in den Stromschnellen Lachse, wie gut verteidigen sie ihren Standort, wer sticht durch Aussehen oder Verhalten besonders hervor? Es ist mehr ein Beliebtheits-Wettbewerb, bei dem im vorigen Jahr über 800.000 Menschen ihre Stimme abgaben.

Wettbewerb ist sehr beliebt
Ein weltweites Publikum schaut den Bären via Webcam beim Fressen zu. Ranger stellen dazu Vorher-Nachher-Fotos der Kandidaten ins Netz. Im Frühjahr, nach der Winterruhe, sind die Bären abgemagert, bis zum Herbst specken sie deutlich an. »Auch ihr Fell wird dichter und dunkler, sie werden rundlicher und viel hübscher«, meint die Rangerin.
Auf der Online-Plattform »Explore.org« werden ab diesem Mittwoch (5. Oktober) täglich Bären zur Abstimmung präsentiert. Nach sechs Runden stehen sich im Finale dann nur noch zwei der ursprünglich zwölf Mitstreiter gegenüber.
Neben Veteranen wie Otis, der seit 2016 schon drei Mal den Titel holte, gibt es auch Neulinge, darunter die jüngste Kandidatin Nr. 909. Das knapp zweijährige Jungtier habe früh gelernt, eigene Fische zu fangen, statt auf die Beute der Mutter zu warten. Das Vorher-Foto von Juni zeigt einen mageren Vierbeiner mit struppigem Pelz, das Nachher-Foto von September eine füllige Bärin. Erstmals mischt auch Nr. 335, eine Tochter von Bärin Holly (Nr. 435), mit. Sie habe sich vorwiegend von Fischresten ernährt und müsse noch lernen, ihren Platz in der Bärenwelt zu finden, halten die Ranger dem Teenager zugute.
Mit dem »Fat Bear«-Wettstreit wollen die Ranger über das Ökosystem und den Lebensraum der mehr als 2000 Braunbären in der Region informieren und auf Gefahren für die Tiere aufmerksam machen. Das Gebiet hat die größten Lachsvorkommen der Welt, ein kalorienreiches Buffet für die Bären. Mit diesen Fettreserven können sie dann die monatelange Winterruhe ohne zu Fressen überstehen.

»Bei allem, was gerade in der Welt passiert, macht es einfach mal Spaß, dicken Bären beim Fressen zuzusehen«
»Glücklicherweise hatten wir in diesem Jahr eine sehr starke Lachswanderung«, sagt Rangerin Jimenez. Kaltes, sauberes Wasser sei eine Bedingung dafür. Es wäre eine Katastrophe, wenn etwa in Folge des Klimawandels die Lachsschwärme ausblieben, meint die Rangerin.
Von dem Wettbewerb bekommen die Bären am Brooks River natürlich nichts mit. Doch umso mehr legen sich »Fat Bear«-Anhänger mit Kommentaren im Netz für ihre Favoriten ins Zeug. »Ich liebe, liebe, liebe Otis, aber 901 könnte diesmal die Königin sein«, schrieb ein Bären-Fan am Montag, gleich nach der Bekanntgabe der diesjährigen Kandidaten. »901 sieht wahnsinnig fett aus«, pflichtete ein anderer Nutzer bei. Rangerin Jimenez wundert sich nicht über die rege Fan-Beteiligung: »Bei allem, was gerade in der Welt passiert, macht es einfach mal Spaß, dicken Bären beim Fressen zuzusehen.«

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President Biden Designates Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument

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Today, President Biden established the 53,804-acre Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, preserving a unique era of military history, as well as a visually and culturally rich landscape with broad recreation opportunities.
The President established the monument on lands managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, using authority under the 1906 Antiquities Act, which was signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.
“Camp Hale and the 10th Mountain Division are unique in our military history. The men and women who served and trained in this beautiful but punishing landscape made sacrifices for our country and made their mark on the history of the free world,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The stunning Camp Hale and Tenmile landscape is a recreation mecca where visitors enjoy alpine hiking, snowmobiling, skiing, camping and more – it is an honored obligation for us to protect this treasured piece of our national heritage.”
“This area was also home to the Ute people long before recorded history, and their unique cultural perspective and historical knowledge is critical to ensuring that we maintain this area’s many priceless characteristics for generations to come,” said Secretary Vilsack.
The national monument designation builds on years of efforts from the descendants of the 10th Mountain Division, Colorado veterans, state and local officials, conservation and outdoor recreation advocates, local business owners, and members of Congress to recognize and preserve this area.

Background:
The peaks and valleys within this monument forged the elite soldiers of the famed 10th Mountain Division – the Army’s first and only mountain infantry division – which helped liberate Europe during World War II. The monument designation preserves the story of 10th Mountain Division veterans who, after their return from World War II, applied their experiences and skills learned in the Camp Hale and Tenmile Range area of the continental divide to help establish America’s skiing industry. They were also trailblazers in conservation, outdoor education and recreation.
The area is also rich in ancient human history. For thousands of years, the Parianuche and Uncompahgre bands of Ute people traveled to the area to reap the bounty of the Eagle River and nearby wetlands and meadows when winter snows melted. The Camp Hale and Tenmile Range area remains culturally important to the Ute people, who return to their homelands to pray, hold ceremonies, honor their ancestors, hunt, fish and harvest plants for medicinal purposes, ceremonial use and basketry.
The area is well known for its outstanding, world class outdoor recreation opportunities, including winter sports like backcountry skiing and snowmobiling as well as year round activities like hunting, fishing, hiking and backpacking. The Tenmile Range contains portions of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and features ten mountain peaks higher than 13,000 feet, including the 14,265 foot Quandary Peak, one of Colorado’s iconic and most visited “Fourteeners.”
The two areas of Camp Hale and the Tenmile Range form a geologically and ecologically linked landscape that includes numerous features of interest, including tarns, waterfalls, alpine tundra, and habitat for rare plants and wildlife.
The establishment of this monument is subject to valid existing rights, including valid existing water and mineral rights. The monument will not affect any permits held by the neighboring ski resorts and will continue to support a wide range of motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities. The proclamation allows for continued remediation of contaminated lands and for continued avalanche and snow safety management, wildfire response and prevention, and ecological restoration. Laws, regulations and policies followed by the Forest Service in issuing and administering grazing permits on all lands under its jurisdiction shall continue to apply.
The White River National Forest will continue to manage the national monument and will begin developing a monument management plan. There will be many opportunities for public involvement as the monument management plan is developed, including consultation with federally recognized Tribes and engagement with state and local governments. The Forest Service will pursue opportunities to partner on managing the monument to preserve its unique characteristics, including entering into cooperative agreements with Tribes that have cultural ties to the monument.
Since Devils Tower was established as America’s first national monument in 1906, 18 presidents have used the Antiquities Act to protect the nation’s unique natural and historic features including iconic places like Alaska's Admiralty Island National Monument, the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon.

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US national park rangers warn visitors of strange reason for traffic buildup this time of year

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Visitors at a Utah national park are warning visitors of possibly heavy traffic because of a surprising reason.
Rangers with the U.S. National Forrest Service said that livestock are on the move at the state's Manti-La Sal National Forest.
Officials are warning visitors this time of year to be careful.
They say while roadways might be blocked by moving livestock, it is possible to move forward in vehicles.
Rangers ask visitors to move "very, very slowly" with vehicles and to be extra careful while going around blind curves.
One Ranger captured some enchanting video of sheep moving across a roadway in the park, appearing to be a sea of the animals in central Utah.

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Little Round Top At Gettysburg National Military Park Closed Until September '23

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Work to improve accessibility and parking, and to address erosional problems, has closed the Little Round Top area of Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania until September 2023.
The $13 million rehabilitation project that began in July, while necessary, shutters one of the most popular areas of the park. A 2017 visitor survey found that 90 percent of Gettysburg visitors head to Little Round Top during their visit.
The area was the scene of intense fighting between Union and Confederate troops on July 2, 1863. The "mountain" was a crucial geographical point both armies wanted to claim for the command it offered over the surrounding landscape. The Union army gained the upper hand of the battle and won the hilltop.
“This closure will allow the necessary improvements to be completed in a safe and timely manner. The result of this project will help prevent further damage to this iconic location while increasing access and improving the visitor experience,” said Gettysburg Superintendent Steven D. Sims.
The scope of the rehabilitation project will address 1) overwhelmed parking areas and related safety hazards, 2) significant erosion caused by heavy visitation, 3) degraded vegetation, and 4) poor accessibility. The high volume of visitation is a significant contributing factor to the deterioration of the landscape, resulting in a degradation of important natural and artificial defenses, and historic topographic features of the battlefield, the park staff said.
The rehabilitation of Little Round Top will reestablish, preserve, and protect the features that make up the battlefield landscape and that are essential to understanding the three-day battle that occurred at Gettysburg. The National Park Service said the rehabilitation project will also enhance the experience of visiting the hill, with improved interpretive signage and new trail alignments, allowing visitors to immerse themselves into the historic landscape.
Gettysburg National Military Park preserves, protects, and interprets the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War, the Gettysburg National Cemetery, and their commemorations. The project will provide the maximum possible level of access to, and interpretation of, key battle and commemorative features, while ensuring the protection and stewardship of this highly significant site.

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President Biden Designates Blackwell School National Historic Site as America’s Newest National Park

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President Biden signed the Blackwell School National Historic Site Act yesterday, designating the Blackwell School site in Marfa, Texas, as part of the National Park System. This designation will permanently protect the site for future generations and help tell the history of Texas school districts that established separate elementary schools for Mexican American children through the practice of de facto segregation. 
“As a nation, we must face the wrongs of our past in order to build a more just and equitable future. The ugliness of the segregation era had many impacts that we have failed as a nation to adequately acknowledge,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “This new designation will help us tell a truer American story, and ensure this important and painful chapter in our nation’s history is preserved and remembered for the generations to come.” 
“It is our solemn responsibility as caretakers of America’s national treasures to tell the whole story of our nation’s heritage for the benefit of present and future generations,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “The National Park Service will continue working closely with key stakeholders dedicated to the preservation of Blackwell School, and those directly impacted by the de facto segregation of Mexican Americans during the early 1900s, to preserve and interpret this significant historic site to the public.” 
The National Park Service (NPS) manages multiple sites throughout the country that preserve and share the stories of 500 years of Hispanic and Latino history. The designation of the Blackwell School National Historic Site is an important step in telling a more complete history of the Mexican American students who received education at the site. The spectrum of experiences of students and teachers at the Blackwell School constitute an important record of life in a segregated school in the context of the history of Texas and America.
Today, the Blackwell School consists of the original 1909 adobe schoolhouse and a smaller 1927 classroom building known as the Band Hall. The buildings contain photographs, memorabilia and interpretive panels that feature quotes and stories from students and teachers.
The site is currently open to the public with limited hours and services. The site is managed by the Blackwell School Alliance, a local non-profit founded by Blackwell School alumni for the purpose of preserving the school. The Alliance will continue to manage the site until the NPS acquires the property. To formally establish the park, the NPS will work with the Town of Marfa to acquire the lands intended in the law, a process which is likely to take more than a year. As the NPS completes the necessary land acquisitions to be established, it will work with partners to develop a comprehensive operational plan.

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Everglades 75th Anniversary
Everglades National Park was dedicated December 6, 1947. While December 6, 2022 will be our actual 75th anniversary date, we think it's worth celebrating all year long.

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We may be 75 years old, but we're still brand new!
With such a dynamic ecosystem, expect to see something different every time you visit. Whether it's wet season or dry season, the clear blue skies of winter or the billowy clouds of summer, Everglades Restoration efforts or invasive species removal, things are always changing in the 'glades! We have a fascinating history to share and reflect on, but we're also looking to the future to ensure the care of this special place for future generations to come!

Join us throughout the year to help us celebrate! Here's some highlights to watch for:
Re-Dedication Ceremony:
When: Saturday, December 3, 2022
Where: Flamingo, Florida
What: Join us for our main celebration with a re-dedication ceremony, tours of our new facilities in Flamingo, and more
More details coming in November

Cuban Missile Crisis 60th Anniversary Commemoration:
When: Friday, November 11, 2022
Where: Homestead, Florida
What: Coinciding with the park's 75th anniversary is the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The HM-69 Nike Missile Site built inside Everglades National Park represented South Florida's first line of defense against potential air attack from Cuba in the 1960's and 70's. Join special guest speakers and Nike veterans for an open house and guided tour, as they share their stories and discuss lessons from the Cuban Missile Crisis and its implications for avoiding future nuclear conflicts.
For further details and how to register, please visit our calendar.

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New National Monument Proposed Next To Joshua Tree National Park — Here’s What It Would Be Called And Why

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Joshua Tree National Park could get a new neighbor — a national monument named for a desert denizen. An effort is underway to create a new monument on the southern edge of the existing park. It would preserve nearly 700,000 desert acres for recreation while protecting plants, animals, and cultural and historic sites. A presidential order or a congressional vote will be needed to make this monument a reality.
In hopes of increasing the public’s accessibility to wildlife, entrance to the monument will be free.

Why Chuckwalla?
The proposed monument is named for a lizard found in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts and Northwestern Mexico. The stout-bodied chuckwalla is the second largest lizard in the United States, next in size only to the Gila monster. Male chuckwalla lizards can measure up to 18 inches long; the female is somewhat smaller.
The name chuckwalla (or chuckawalla) is derived from the Shoshone word tcaxxwal or caxwal, the form used by the Cahuilla Native Americans of Southeastern California and originally written in Spanish as chacahuala.
These lizards are big and look mean. However, chuckwallas are harmless herbivores feeding on desert flowers, fruits, and leaves. Young chuckwallas are known to try a grasshopper or two but stick entirely to plants by the time they are a year old. Chuckwallas obtain all their water from the plants they eat and never drink, even when water is readily available. They are adept at living in rocky areas under 4,000 feet of elevation. They dodge into cracks in the rocks in which they live when threatened. Then, they inflate themselves with air to wedge into the crevices, making it nearly impossible to remove them.

Other Wildlife To Be Protected
In addition to the chuckwalla lizard, other animals found in and around Joshua Tree would be protected. These include the desert tortoise, which lives up to 80 years, and the desert bighorn sheep. In addition, the monument would include the microphyll woodlands, which host 90 percent of songbirds in California deserts.

History To Be Preserved
The proposed monument area would include the Bradshaw Trail near Riverside County, a trade route used by 19th-century gold prospectors, and an ancient Native American trade route that crosses the region connecting one spring to another. That area was also used to train soldiers during World War II from 1942 to 1944. Tank tracks, abandoned camps, and training areas can still be seen there.

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Bison across the US celebrated on National Bison Day

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Did you know it’s National Bison Day? In 2016, The White House, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the InterTribal Buffalo Council, National Bison Association, and Vote Bison Coalition gathered together to name the American bison the national mammal of the U.S. in the National Bison Legacy Act. The call for its nomination came from multiple organizations wanting to protect this prairie-roaming animal that has been treasured and revered by Indigenous groups for centuries.
Due to wasteful hunting practices and the systemic movement of indigenous people onto reservations and off of their homelands, bison populations were nearing extinction. As a result, numbers collapsed from 40 million bison to less than 1,000 bison in the U.S. by the early 20th century.
In 1867, one U.S. Army member reportedly ordered his troops to “kill every buffalo you can. Every buffalo dead is an Indian gone.” General Phil Sheridan, a leading military commander at the time, allegedly told his troops to exterminate the animals, saying he believed it was the only way to bring the west under control. It was not uncommon for tourists to take trains through the west and shoot bison by sticking their guns through the windows and firing at them as they passed. One of these “hunting tours” reported 120 buffalo killed in just 40 minutes.
Critical to their survival, bison not only provided American Indians with food, shelter, and tools, but a model on how to live. To American Indians, bison also represent their spirit and remind them of how their lives were once lived, free, and in harmony with nature...Because the bison provided many gifts--from tipis and clothing made from hides to soap from fat and tools made from bones--they were honored as relatives and paid tribute to through songs, dance, and prayers.”
Recognizing these hunting trips were unsustainable, former President Theodore Roosevelt and other government officials formed the American Bison Society to save the animals in 1905. Thanks to their efforts and the work of the InterTribal Buffalo Council, the Department of Interior says there are 17 bison herds made of more than 10,000 bison spread across 4.6 million acres of U.S. land. In addition, more than 6,000 bison call Yellowstone National Park home, and more than one million acres of tribal land are also home to several of these herds.
Bison are different from buffalo in that they are found in both North and South America as well as in Europe. Buffalo are found in Africa and in Asia, according to National Today. Fun fact: bison can run up to 35 miles per hour!

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«Bitte leckt diese Kröte nicht ab» – US-Behörde warnt Nationalpark-Gäste

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Die Colorado-Kröte produziert ein Gift, das eine psychedelische Wirkung hat. Laut den National Park Services in den USA sollte man sie deshalb weder berühren noch ablecken.

National Park Services, eine US-Behörde, die für Nationalparks zuständig ist, ruft in einem Facebook-Post dazu auf, eine Kröte nicht abzulecken. Die Colorado-Kröte habe sogenannte Parotoiddrüsen, die ein Gift absonderten. Davon könne man krank werden, wenn man die Kröte anfasse oder das Gift in den Mund bekomme.
«Wie bei den meisten Dingen, denen Sie in einem Nationalpark begegnen, ob es sich nun um eine Bananenschnecke, einen unbekannten Pilz oder eine grosse Kröte mit leuchtenden Augen mitten in der Nacht handelt, sehen Sie bitte davon ab, sie abzulecken. Dankeschön», schreibt die Behörde auf Facebook.
Das Gift ist besonders gefährlich für andere Tiere. So kann es beispielsweise stark genug sein, um einen ausgewachsenen Hund zu töten. Wenn man das Gift raucht, hat es eine starke psychoaktive Wirkung. In der Regel verspürt man dabei ein warmes Gefühl, Euphorie, und starke akustische Halluzinationen, wie der Zoo von Oakland schreibt.

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Repair work begins on bridges across Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that the Federal Highway Administration awarded a construction contract to conduct routine bridge repairs at 19 locations across the park through August 2023. Crews will implement single-lane closures in most locations to safely accomplish work, however, full road closures will be necessary at a few, select sites.
“Work activity is likely to inconvenience motorists on busy days, however, closures are expected to be in place for less than a week at each of the 19 bridge locations,” said Facility Management Division Chief Barbara Hatcher. “We remind motorists to slow down when traveling through work sites to protect workers.”
The routine improvements include bridge joint repairs, stone masonry repair, railing replacement, and deck replacement. Single-lane closures will occur along the following roadways, near select bridges, through August 2023: the Spur, Gatlinburg Bypass, Little River Road, Tremont, Laurel Creek Road, Newfound Gap Road, Smokemont, and Deep Creek. Short-duration, full-road closures will occur in the following areas: Greenbrier (Ramsey Prong Road), Tremont (gravel road section), Big Creek, and Cataloochee. The park will announce specific dates for the temporary, full road closures when work schedules are finalized. Most of the planned repair work requires minimal equipment and is anticipated to be accomplished within a week at each location.

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North Lake Powell Boat Ramp at Bullfrog Inoperable to Houseboats, Larger Vessels

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As previously announced, when Lake Powell’s elevation has reached 3529 ft. (above sea level), the Bullfrog North Boat Ramp will no longer be operable for houseboats and larger vessels. That elevation was reached this weekend, and the ramp is now closed to houseboats and larger vessels. The Bullfrog North Boat Ramp remains operable for smaller vessels until the lake declines to 3525 ft. (above sea level).
Lake Powell water levels fluctuate every year, based on a complex mix of factors that are not possible to predict. Some of these factors are weather-related, and some are the result of Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) management of Lake Powell as part of the system of reservoirs. The most recent news release is available here.
According to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Acting Superintendent Michelle Kerns, “The park remains committed to providing North Lake Powell motorized boater access and is pleased the Bullfrog North Ramp was extended and conditions have resulted in it being operable throughout the 2022 boating season. We are grateful for the many people who have an interest in recreation on Lake Powell and thank everyone for your understanding and patience during the drought-induced, unprecedented low water levels in 2022.”
Information about the status of boat ramps and marina services on Lake Powell is available 24/7 on our Changing Water website. Before heading to the lake, boaters should check the park’s website for the status of their preferred launch destination.
The NPS recognizes the important role that launch ramps and marinas play in the economies of gateway communities and the numerous businesses that operate in the park. The park will continue to assess lake conditions and will adjust operations as possible to provide boater access at each ramp.

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Mauna Loa is erupting for the first time since 1984, prompting an ashfall advisory for Hawaii’s Big Island

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The world’s largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, is erupting for the first time in nearly 40 years, sparking an ashfall advisory Monday for Hawaii’s Big Island and surrounding waters until 10 a.m. HT (3 p.m. ET).
The eruption in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is not threatening downhill communities or flights to the Island of Hawaii, the Hawaii Tourism Authority tweeted Monday morning. Still, a “trace to less than one quarter inch” of ashfall could accumulate on parts of the island, the National Weather Service in Honolulu said, as winds may carry fine ash and volcanic gas downwind.
Reports of lava overflowing into the southwest portion of the volcano’s caldera, or crater, have come in to the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency tweeted late Monday morning.
There is no indication of a threat to nearby communities, and no evacuation orders have been issued, the agency tweeted. As a precaution, two shelters have opened, even as “roughly half” of recorded Mauna Loa eruptions remained in the summit area without threatening populated areas, according to another agency tweet.
“People with respiratory illnesses should remain indoors to avoid inhaling the ash particles and anyone outside should cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth,” the Honolulu office warned. “Possible harm to crops and animals. Minor equipment and infrastructure damage. Reduced visibility. Widespread clean-up may be necessary.”
Ashfall can damage vehicles and buildings, contaminate water supplies, disrupt sewage and electrical systems, and damage or kill vegetation, the weather service says, while abrasive volcanic ash can irritate eyes and lungs.
The observatory said earlier that lava flows do not threaten downslope communities.
“Based on past events, the early stages of a Mauna Loa eruption can be very dynamic and the location and advance of lava flows can change rapidly,” the observatory said, adding, “If the eruption remains in Moku’āweoweo, lava flows will most likely be confined within the caldera walls.
“However, if the eruptive vents migrate outside its walls, lava flows may move rapidly downslope.”
Red hues from the eruption illuminated Monday’s predawn sky, according to footage captured at the Kailua Bay & Pier by Matthew Liano, a resident of Kailua-Kona, along the Big Island’s west coast.
“The glow is like nothing I’ve seen here living in Kona for most of my life,” Liano told CNN.
The eruption began in Moku’āweoweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, on Sunday around 11:30 p.m. HST (4:30 a.m. ET Monday), according to the observatory.
Mauna Loa, which covers half the island of Hawaii, has erupted 33 times since 1843, the volcano’s first “well-documented historical eruption,” according to the US Geological Survey. It last erupted in 1984, making this prolonged quiet period the volcano’s longest in recorded history.
Mauna Loa’s summit crater sits about 21 miles west of Kilauea, a smaller volcano whose eruption over months in 2018 spewed lava into the Leilani Estates neighborhood, destroying more than 700 homes and displacing residents.
Mauna Loa has been in a heightened state of unrest, per the agency, which pointed in an update late last month to elevated seismic activity and increased earthquake rates.
Earthquake activity increased from five to 10 earthquakes a day since June 2022 to some 10 to 20 earthquakes a day in July and August, according to the US Geological Survey. Peak numbers of more than 100 earthquakes a day were recorded on September 23 and September 29, CNN has reported.
The increased activity prompted Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in October to close the Mauna Loa summit to all backcountry hikers until further notice, though the US National Park Service said the main section of the park has remained open.

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