Stronger storms believed to be driven by climate change are impacting the National Park System, as evidenced by this breach at Fire Island National Seashore/NPS

“If you want to keep up with news about national parks and the National Park Service, I know of no better source than the National Parks Traveler. It is independent and well informed, a source you can trust.” – Deny Galvin, former deputy director, National Park Service.

The changing climate is impacting national park lands in myriad ways, from raising sea levels that will inundate some coastal park units and exposing iconic tree species such as whitebark pines to crippling native and invasive species to altering migration patterns and forest makeup in ways detrimental to wildlife. Regardless of whether you believe climate change is human-driven, change is occurring and impacting the National Park System.

National Parks Traveler long has covered climate change in the park system. Editor Kurt Repanshek traveled to Stanford University in 2008 for a two-week fellowship at the Bill Lane Center for the American West to examine just how parks were being affected by climate change. That resulted in a handful of stories that, when added to the dozens of other climate change stories the Traveler has produced through the years, has produced a vivid portrait that both documents and examines climate change in the parks.

For instance, in 2012, after Hurricane Sandy roared up the Eastern Seaboard, the Traveler produced a series of stories that looked at how specific parks were affected by that vigorous storm and how the Park Service was reacting to it and preparing for future climate change impacts:

Rebuilding After Sandy: Putting Gateway National Recreation Area Back Together Again

Rebuilding After Sandy: How The National Park Service Is Putting The Pieces Back Together

Rebuilding After Sandy: A Breach In The Wilderness At Fire Island National Seashore

Rebuilding After Sandy: Moving The National Park Service Forward With An Eye On Climate Change

Rebuilding After Sandy: How Assateague Island National Seashore Officials Are Dealing With Climate Change

Today there are more stories to be told by writers and photographers on the ground in the parks. Your donations to the Traveler will support articles on topics such as:

• The effects sea-level rise is having on Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Virgin Islands National Park, and national seashores.

• How will the loss of glaciers impact flora and fauna in parks such as Glacier, Grand Teton, and North Cascades?

• What archaeological secrets are being revealed by receding snowfields and glaciers in national parks?

• How will extreme events such as ice storms, hurricanes, and more impact the ecology of the parks and the visitor experience?

These and other stories not only will document the impacts occurring now, but also, perhaps, reveal new ways to look at the landscapes when you visit the parks. Please support these efforts with a tax-deductible donation.