| Page 5 | National Parks Traveler

I just have 1 question. So all these horse round ups sound like there being done so that farmer john has more grazing land because he has to many cows and doesn't want to supplement them. That being said horses r being pushed out because of this. Cows arenot native. They've been hauled in and dropped. I road many miles all thru Nevada and see these cows. There flat isn't anything to eat.

Oct 7th - 08:25am | Kurt Repanshek

Tirza, the follks at Texas A&M said that the horses at Theodore Roosevelt are indeed feral -- non-native -- and lack genetic diversity. Here's a snippet from their release on genetic studies of the horses:

Oct 7th - 08:17am | Kurt Repanshek

Anonymous, the horses at Theodore Roosevelt NP are not natives. Like cattle, their ancestry dates to Europeans arriving in the New World with them.

Oct 7th - 06:01am | Anonymous

A little Fact Checking. Cattle are an invasive species - brought to North America by Europeans. Horses are a native species - evolved in North America.

Oct 7th - 01:14am | Tirza Eden

This is a truly disapointing and a very one sided write up. Intentionally spreading misinformation and weaponizing the news and social media is a HUGE problem right now. We use to be able to trust our media sources to get to the bottom of an issue and expose the truth to the public, but apparently telling the truth isn't as profitable as pushing lies for people today.

Oct 6th - 23:23pm | Anonymous

There's an argument to be made that the horse was only temporarily extinct in the Americas and should be considered a reintroduced species, not an invasive one.

A Tale Of Cabins In The National Parks

Oct 7th - 13:21pm | Jeff Siggs

Thank you for these insights. I don't get to nearly enough experience the wonders enough. However I do plan to in the future & am constantly searching for material on others experiences to build a future destinations list. You are appreciated

Oct 7th - 10:28am | A. Johnson

That night at Shenandoah was a rough one, as the couple next door got into a rather loud, and long, argument. For the record, I was no where near Shenandoah at that time. Carry on.

Oct 6th - 18:51pm | Anonymous

For many years, we have stayed in cabins in Yellowstone and Glacier. Given everything, I think Xanterra keeps them in as good a condition as possible. Keep them rustic, historic and basic. It's a western national park, not Vegas.

Katmai National Park's Brooks River Corridor Reopening

Oct 7th - 10:23am | A. Johnson

Why can't we get these bears to observe the closure?

A Masonic Marker On the Blue Ridge Parkway

Oct 6th - 12:27pm | Anonymous

I wish things were always as they seemed. I3y

Inflation Reduction Act Carries Benefits For National Park Service

Oct 6th - 11:48am | nps park ranger

For a position of PSAR park ranger 3 year term, as an Inflation Reducation Act job offers a GS5 level to do Search and Rescue in the park without housing which is 80 miles away. Finding housing close enough to commute is one pay check. Gas is very expensive.

Only One Signature Will Be Allowed On America The Beautiful National Parks Passes

Oct 6th - 11:00am | Marie Soper

Just bought our new pass and am furious. As former NPS rangers we have always enjoyed going to several parks a year, that enjoyment has now been diminished by this ridiculous policy! There were definitely other ways this could have been handled that didn't penalize the people who were using it properly.

The Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks

Oct 6th - 10:55am | LaHuerta_WP

Thank you

Photos Depict Tropical Storm Damage Along Blue Ridge Parkway

Oct 5th - 22:31pm | Michael Blackwell

What a tragedy. It breaks my heart. From those pictures and hearing what happened up there, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if reopening the parkway from Blowing rock to the southern end took years. It make me wonder just how devestating the economic impact will be.

Nearly 40 Years After Paul Fugate Disappeared, Effort Renewed To Find Missing Ranger

Oct 4th - 09:24am | ranger

W.B. Murray current park ranger at CHIR would like to talk with you.

Capital Reef National Park Campground Reservations Available Year-Round

Oct 3rd - 10:40am | A. Johnson

Some part of me opposes wi-fi anywhere in a nat'l park. Signed, Traditionalist

National Park Service To Invest $255 Million In Local Parks

Oct 3rd - 09:56am | A. Johnson

Or, one may read this description of ORLP from the IA DNR: In 2014 NPS created the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program, a competitive grant program administered under the authority of the LWCF Act as a complement to the formula grant program.

Oct 2nd - 17:56pm | Kurt Repanshek

Established by Congress in 2014 and administered through the National Park Service, the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program is funded through the LWCF State and Local Assistance Program.https://lwcfcoalition.org/orlp

Oct 2nd - 17:51pm | A. Johnson

It's unclear whether the impetus behind ORLP was Congress or the NPS. Some sources state that the NPS created the ORLP, and sought Congresional funding, which is the basis of my point: why is a terribly underfunded federal agency taking on more responsibilities that involve funding state and local programs when it is the NPS that NEEDS the funding?

Sep 30th - 08:50am | Someone

It's rather simple-It's bacause Congress told NPS to do this!

Sep 26th - 18:24pm | Kurt Repanshek

Because that's how Congress set it up.

Sep 26th - 17:13pm | a. Johnson

Can someone explain to me why the NPS--a FEDERAL agency--is involved in funding non-federal parks and projects? Gosh, I love my local parks and open spaces as much as the next person, but why are the feds cherry-picking non-federal parks for funding? Is this not a slush fund for DEI projects?

Dry Tortugas National Park Buoy Floats To France

Sep 28th - 17:22pm | Anonymous

what was the date the buoy broke from its mooring, what was its original position (lat and longitude) as a boundary marker and what date was the buoy placed as a boundary marker?

Where in the World is Paul Fugate?

Sep 28th - 16:06pm | Ranger C

Same for this person, would like to talk to you about your comment if you have a moment. Thanks

Sep 28th - 16:05pm | Ranger C

Hello, what is the name of the ranger that wrote this section of the comments? Would like to chat if you have contacts. Thanks

Legislation Introduced To Protect Wolves, Bison, And Grizzly Bears

Sep 28th - 08:59am | Delia Malone

Finally, this bill would truly protect our relatives for their intrinsic, ecological and cultural values. Please contact your representatives in the Senate and Congress to ask them to support the Bison, Grizzly and Wolf Protection and Coexistence Act!

Sep 20th - 11:29am | Anonymous

I will Congressman Steny Hoyer to back this proposed legislation.

Sep 20th - 10:17am | Jenny

If you ca nt attend Sunday, contact your representatives to ask them to support this bill.

Proposed Trail Extension At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Raises Concerns

Sep 27th - 20:31pm | Barbara Stamiris

New studies have allowed the public to reevaluate the 2009 proposal. Plans to cut thousands of trees, erect retaining walls for dunes and cross wetlands were not revealed until 2024. Choosing an environmentally sensitive route over harmless ones allows Tart Trails to extend beyond the park. But "making nature accessible" is a poor excuse to destroy nature.

Remains Of Man Who Went Missing At Mesa Verde National Park Found

Sep 27th - 13:39pm | Anonymous

I'm with you. It does not make any sense where they say he was found. And who was out there wondering around in a closed area of the pary and just happened to find his bones ?

Barbary Sheep Removal To Temporarily Close Parts Of Big Bend National Park

Sep 26th - 12:48pm | Rick LoBello

Barbary sheep have been a problem in Big Bend for decades. I documented this invasive species in the Chisos Basin back in 1980, but no one took the situation seriously. The National Park Service waited too long to address the uncontrollable problem in Big Bend and Texas Parks and Wildlife is to blame for allowing exotics to take over the state years in the first place. The

Traveler's View: Round 'Em Up, Move 'Em Out

Sep 25th - 08:52am | Alexandra Scott

Sterilize the stallions and then let nature take its course - with humane intervention when warranted. That is the kindest and most cost-effective solution. It will also be more palatable to the romantic public than slaughtering the animals.

Sep 22nd - 17:45pm | rosecreek2

You are right Kurt, " Round 'Em Up, Move 'Em Out"

Sep 22nd - 16:35pm | Anonymous

Too bad a pasture wasn't proposed in this park's land swap, eh? So ridiculous. It's a tourist draw and the park is so mismanaged they're afraid this would upend it all.

Sep 22nd - 12:50pm | A. Johnson

I grew up in a family that bred quarter horses. It seem to me that a humane and reasonable solution to the feral horse problem across our public lands is to sell them for slaughter. Unseemly? Yes. A difficult solution to a difficult problem? Yes. Would this be a good source of affordable protein for the poor in and outside of the US? Yes.

Sep 22nd - 10:20am | Anonymous

Choose your problem, and there are plenty to choose from, and do whatever you can to fix it. What generally ends up happening is that you make it worse. The Bureau of Land Management every year uses helicopters to round up "feral" horses out west. They are put in pens where they live unnatural lives for what time they have left. A very few are adopted.

Grand Canyon's Phantom Ranch To Close For Three Months

Sep 24th - 22:29pm | Nortner

According to Xanterra, which manages Phantom Ranch, there are no planned closures at this time.

Sep 23rd - 09:35am | Kurt Repanshek

Well, Bxdik, we pointed to the source in the first three words of the second graph, and while we can't imagine why we'd make up this story, here's an image of the newsletter:

Sep 23rd - 08:47am | Bxdik

This appears th be false, at least as far as the Phantom Ranch website reports on Monday morning 9/23. Please either cite specific sources or correct this article.

Body-Cam Video Of July 4 Shooting At Yellowstone National Park Released

Sep 24th - 18:34pm | WaltD

LE rangers have the most dangerous job among all federal law enforcement officers. Due to monetary and housing shortfalls, our rangers are often called upon to work alone and are often many miles from support. The officers involved in this episode exemplify the best standards of the NPS LE ranger corps, placing themselves between danger and the public.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash Stepping Down

Sep 24th - 18:26pm | WaltD

The Cherokee had named the mountain long before it became part of the NPS. Clingman was a local promoter at the time and a Confederate general. No need to contimue to glorify a traitor to the U.S. AND the county Board of Supervisors voted unanimously for the name change. All in all a great idea.

Sep 20th - 16:53pm | Anonymous

Thank you Mac! I was looking for an example of a trivial, out-of-touch, idiosyncratic grievance; especially, with an implication of aged crotchetiness and privilege.

Sep 20th - 14:26pm | Mac Patchel

As the husband for 56 years of an wonderful lady of American Indian heritage we jointly would like to convey to you that the renaming of Clingman's Dome is nothing more than the despoiling of American History and a massive waste of taxpayers' money for printing and new signage. As a former bureaucrat myself I have watched a lot of doltish mindless waste, especially when it comes to dumping m

Sep 20th - 12:39pm | A. Johnson

Smokies Hikes fior Healing appears to be an independent entity from GSMNP or the NPS. Is it really appropropriate, let alone ethical, for any NPS employee to use his/her position to promote and participate in uniform in what amounts to an activity operated by a private entity?

New Hampshire Woman Suffers Leg Burns In Yellowstone Thermal Area

Sep 24th - 13:20pm | Anonymous

Thanks to a gift from my dearly departed father, I have been visiting Yellowstone for over two decades. Before one of those visits, My dad handed me a copy of Lee Whittlesey's book DEATH IN YELLOWSTONE to read.

Name Of Clingmans Dome Changed To Cherokee Name For The Mountain

Sep 24th - 07:14am | Anonymous

Almost all ancient nations and ethnic groups practiced slavery and we're subject to enslavemen. African slavery began in Africa, with Africans enslaving other Africans for the benefit of Africans. It was common practice when African tribes warred, for victorious tribes to enslave the defeated tribe members, especially women and children.

Sep 20th - 20:58pm | S. Myers

Oh please! So since, by this logic, if a U.S. President has some "fault" by our "modern" standards, ie was a slave owner, shall we delete that person from the list of past Presidents? When will this effort to "right the wrongs in our history" ever end?

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Warning Visitors Away From Rodanthe Beach

Sep 21st - 07:37am | Suzanne G Gonzalez

Just out if curiosity, can it be imposed to the owners to move the structures before they become a hazard to the natural habitat? I am assuming it is expensive, but cleaning all the debris could not be cheap either. Can this be a proactive measure instead of reactiv. The ocean will continue to claim structures. Thank you.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Trying To School Visitors To Leave Only Footprints

Sep 21st - 05:13am | Edward Martel

I hardly think a few crumbs from a bag of Cheetos had a "huge impact" on the eight acre Big Room. If you want to protect the park, why don't you remove the Underground Lunch Room and the large herd of barbary sheep?

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