How have the national parks fared under Interior Secretary Zinke?/DOI

Since Ryan Zinke came into office promising that he was a "Teddy Roosevelt guy," how has the National Park Service fared under his leadership as Interior secretary? Here's a scorecard to assess things.

Interior Department Orders National Park Service To Reconsider Hunting Regs In National Preserves In Alaska

In a move that could have dire effects on wildlife in national park lands in Alaska, the Interior Department has ordered the National Park Service to reconsider wildlife regulations that are at odds with hunting and trapping regulations enforced by the state of Alaska. 

Interior Secretary Draws Ire For Saying One-Third Of His Employees Are Disloyal

In sports parlance it's called an unforced error. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke made one the other day when he was captured stating that roughly one-third of his vast workforce is not loyal to him or President Trump. The comment quickly was condemned, including by some who wagered that the percentage was much higher.

Report: Interior Secretary Recommending Changes To 10 National Monuments

Various conservation groups were expressing outrage over a draft report outlining Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's recommendations to President Trump on ten national monuments he thinks should be modified, either through boundary changes or to allow resource extraction.

Interior Secretary Zinke: NPS Staff Can Clean Restrooms, But Not Manage Campgrounds

What exactly is Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's vision of the National Park Service in years to come? That's a pertinent question not only in light of the Trump administration's directive that Interior shed $1.5 billion from its budget for the coming fiscal year, and cut nearly 1,250 full-time positions from the Park Service, but also because of the secretary's view of the skill set of Park Service employees.

Trump Administration To Review Oil And Gas Regs For National Park System

In a move interpreted by the National Parks Conservation Association as "a direct attack on national parks," President Trump has directed the Interior Department to review, and possibly rescind, regulations pertaining to oil and gas drilling in units of the National Park System.

Trump Administration Approves More Than 7-Mile-Long Transmission Line Near Historic Jamestowne

The Trump administration reversed the Obama administration's position on a more than 7-mile-long line of transmission towers running near Historic Jamestowne and Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia on Thursday by approving the project.

NRA Official Lands Seat On National Park Foundation Board

Susan LaPierre, co-chair of the National Rifle Association's Women's Leadership Forum and wife of NRA Executive Director Wayne LaPierre, has landed a seat on the National Park Foundation's board of directors.

Brace For A Big Jump In National Park Entrance Fees

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke moved Tuesday to find a way to boost funding to address the National Park Service's maintenance backlog, proposing to substantially increase park entrance fees during the "high season" for vacations. It's a move that seemingly would do little to address the backlog, estimated at roughly $12 billion, while hitting families with school students hardest.

With An Eye On Rebuilding Sperry Chalet, Structure Is Being Stabilized For Winter

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced Friday that urgently needed stabilization work at the Sperry Chalet was under way thanks to funding from the Glacier National Park Conservancy.

More Parks Pushing Fee Increases At Direction Of Interior Secretary

Every week, it seems like another park is asking the public for input on increasing its entrance fees. Turns out, there’s a simple explanation: The Interior Department is telling them to.

Traveler footnote: This will be updated as necessary.