| Page 1050 | National Parks Traveler

Budget cuts affect all Federal Agencies across the board. Why is the NPS slipping in ranking with respect to the other agencies? What is contributing to the growing morale gap between the rank and file NPS'er and upper NPS management? Richard T., what will it take to change the internal NPS culture "for the better?"

Nov 30th - 19:05pm | Anonymous

Dear Disgusted: you've captured it brilliantly, thank you. Unfortunately, our leader has surrounded himself with "yes" men and will be unable to understand that the willingness to fight for our identity, mission, and purpose trump career aspirations.

Nov 30th - 17:08pm | Disgusted with ...

The NPS politically correct response and the spin put on the results of this survey is one of many reasons NPS employees are disgusted with its leadership – they lie, misrepresent and refuse to take responsibility for the loss of agency excellence. With all the advantages of having a national

Nov 30th - 12:57pm | Richard T

I agree Anon but there are many below those levels you mentioned that would be greatly relieved and enriched along with the public they serve if/when the culture changes for the better. Homestead is a good term for many but then again some are just playing the cards that are dealt and keep their heads down.

Nov 30th - 11:35am | Anonymous

We seriously doubt there is much evidence of integrity among the NPS High Command. After experiencing gross incompetence by key division Chiefs supposedly directing Interpretation and Natural Resources, their focus was clearly on promotion bonus dollars while demonstrating little interest and no

Nov 30th - 09:12am | stormy

I've always wondered about these 'surveys'. I'm a recent federal retiree (not NPS) w/over 33 years of service and my former agency routinely ranked in the top 10.

National Park Visits Help Grow Utah's Tourism Industry By Nearly 5 Percent In 2010

Dec 1st - 12:09pm | Dick G.

Lets hope they have enough sense not to allow urban sprawl and keep the permanent population growth down. Florida used to be a pretty nice place until the greedy land-developers turned into gridlock and an overpopulated mess.It worries me when the director of tourism starts talking about "new luxury properties" and other new attractions??

Dec 1st - 09:40am | Preston Filbert

This is purely anecdotal, but the only reason I ever spent any time and money in Utah was to visit the national parks and other public lands. They got five nights of motels, gas, restaurants and camping equipment out of me. In return I got preached at by a religious business owner and lectured about federal land grabs from an angry local, but otherwise had a pretty good time.

Unforeseen Repairs Will Idle Bodie Island Lighthouse at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Indefinitely

Dec 1st - 11:58am | Anonymous

Seems strange that with all the structural problems NPS has seen fit to leave the top gallery OPEN to the weather since hurricane Irene Aug.27,2011.I guess they don't understand that "rust never sleeps" here on the Outer Banks.Just typical of how this Park operates.

National Park Mystery Photo 39 Revealed

Dec 1st - 09:29am | Dick G.

Who made the big ball and does anyone know when??

National Park Mystery Photo 39: An Uncommon Configuration

Dec 1st - 05:36am | Bob Janiskee

Not in Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Nov 30th - 22:10pm | Mellosy

Is it in Golden Gate National Rec Area

Nov 30th - 12:35pm | Bob Janiskee

Nope; not Minuteman Missle NHS. Geographically speaking, however, this guess isn't as far off as the last one.

Nov 30th - 11:39am | Eric

Short of additional clues, I have to work my way down the list of possibilities... Minuteman Missile NHS?

Nov 30th - 10:51am | Bob Janiskee

Julie has figured it out too.

Nov 30th - 10:02am | Bob Janiskee

The association with barbed wire may be logical, Eric, but this photo was not taken at Manzanar National Historic Site.

Nov 30th - 09:52am | Eric

Manzanar NHS?

Nov 30th - 09:36am | Bob Janiskee

Sorry, Jon, it's not from the National Prisoner of War Museum at Andersonville National Historic Site.

Nov 30th - 09:34am | Bob Janiskee

Anon 10:25 a.m. has nailed it. Nice going. Anybody else?

Nov 30th - 09:30am | Jon Sparks

Is this from Andersonville Prisoner of War Musesm?

Nov 30th - 08:48am | Bob Janiskee

Pretty good guesses, Eric and Lee, but no cigar. It's barbed wire alright, but it's not at Homestead National Monument of America or Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. I'll bet you've got some other possibilities in mind, so go ahead and give it another shot.

Nov 30th - 08:47am | Eric

I'll take a guess... Is it barbed wire from Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site?

Nov 30th - 08:45am | Lee Dalton

A clump of barbed wire. I think I remember seeing this at Homestead National Monument in Nebraska.

UPDATED: Economists, Academics Urge President Obama To Protect Public Lands, Create New National Parks

Dec 1st - 00:20am | Rick B.

Agreed, Lee. I'm 62 and with bad arthritis that limits how much hiking or camping I can do. I still want my grandchildren to see the day when their grandchildren enjoy these wilderness places. I happily want my tax money to be spent on wilderness areas and other parks.

Nov 30th - 21:55pm | Lee Dalton

At age 71, I'm about at the end of my time of being able to walk into wilderness areas. Paddle a canoe maybe. Borrow a horse maybe. But walk? Probably not.

Nov 30th - 18:48pm | Anonymous

Well it looks like academia is well represented in support of this article. How about the rest of the world?

Nov 30th - 17:27pm | MG

Wilderness' are a waste of time, because people like me can no longer enjoy the area... as I'm surely not walking in!

Nov 30th - 17:25pm | MG

We dont need to close ANY public lands... what we need it to STOP development of them! CLosing does no one any good. Just think what the USA was like in 1846, not a soul west of the Missouri River; = in 165 years we've made an absolute mess of the place!

Why The Delay In Designating Official Wilderness In National Parks?

Nov 30th - 20:24pm | Brian Daniher

"Blue" [Democrat majority] States: Fire Island, Haleakala, Hawaii Volcanoes, Lava Beds, Lassen Volcanic, Yosemite, Point Reyes, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Death Valley, Mojave, Joshua Tree, Olympic, Mount Rainier, North Cascades, Isle Royale, Pictured Rocks, Sleeping Bear Dunes (proposed), Carlsbad Caverns, Bandelier, Apostle Islands. 21 States.

Nov 30th - 09:53am | tahoma

Geography, economics, and politics undoubtedly play roles is whether Wilderness is designated in National Parks, but most Traveler readers would probably be surprised at the lack of support for Wilderness by many National Park Service managers.

New Winter Opportunities for Visitors to Mesa Verde National Park

Nov 30th - 18:52pm | Kurt Repanshek

There are places to stay at nearby Cortez (roughly 20 miles), and likely places in between Cortez and the park.

Nov 30th - 18:27pm | Thammy

But if I can not spend the night into the Park, if we traveling from far away where we can stay?

Nov 30th - 17:34pm | Dayna Mongelli

Remarkable news. Cannot wait for my February trip to the park. Despite the amazing value, I will still be purchasing my national parks annual pass.

Painting Of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Setting Wins Honors For Arizona Man

Nov 30th - 17:25pm | Scott in Tempe

What a beautiful painting! I can see why it was selected as the peoples choice. I live in Tempe and have yet to make it up to the Colorado River in Glen Canyon. It looks like a lovely place!

Discovering Grizzlies and Wolves at Yellowstone National Park

Nov 30th - 14:36pm | NDang

In recent news, the wolves are being talked about being removed from the Endangered Species list. And when someone tries to justify their point in yelling/name calling is uneffective. wolfaboo?...

Legislation Could Force Bicycles Off Roads In Some National Parks

Nov 30th - 14:17pm | Anonymous

sounds to me like you cut them off. is it legal to pass on the left that close to an intersection?

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Denies Request For Hearing On Restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park

Nov 30th - 11:43am | Dick G.

Hey John Muir was against that dam-- thats all the expert opinion I need !!!LOL

Nov 30th - 09:16am | ecbuck

Actually Lee - I don't think we disagree on this one. At least not on the point of needing full public input. Where we might disagree is on the outcome. You appear to be fully committed to removal no matter the cost or impact. I am open to removel IF the cost and impact doesn't place an undue burden on the people. Amd Lee - I am always smiling.

Nov 30th - 08:54am | Lee Dalton

I used the word millions in response to your use of the same word. Probably back in 1913 it was probably more like "hundreds of thousands." But the idea is the same. There was tremendous public outcry throughout the United States as John Muir and others pushed to save the valley.

Reader Participation Day: Do Your Holiday Plans Include a Visit to a National Park?

Nov 30th - 10:33am | rdm24

Two years ago, I did Death Valley. Not sure what I'll do this year! Maybe something in Arizona?

Nov 30th - 10:31am | Anonymous

Going to Key West for the Holidays. Looking forward to checking Dry Tortugas off my list.

Nov 30th - 08:53am | stormy

Trail of the Wolf at Yellowstone. Our second time. YNP in the winter is just magical.

Nov 30th - 08:46am | Lee Dalton

Out to Golden Spike for the winter locomotive display. Lots of white steam and hopefully blue sky.

Nov 30th - 08:27am | hiker

Off to Joshua Tree and Mojave for New Years weekend.

House Natural Resources Committee To Hold Hearing On Endangered Species Act

Nov 30th - 10:31am | Anonymous

Despite the consensus that the ESA is pretty messed up, the Republicans are so zealous and extreme in their opposition that they will make reforms impossible. It's like the debt crisis--we are guaranteeing the status quo by refusing to consider changes we can all agree on.

Nov 30th - 10:27am | Rob Mutch

The irony of it all. It's because of laws and agencies like this (ESA and EPA) that these people have something to take for granted. Sad...

Nov 30th - 08:25am | Anonymous

The way the EPA and the ESA have been implimented it should not be a surprise that there is a growing number of Hastings and Bishops (and their supporters) out there to counter. Hope they land somewhere reasonable that serves the whole picture of present realities. That would be real achievement in my eyes.

Group Pushing Proposal To "Complete" North Cascades National Park

Nov 30th - 01:14am | Rainy Pass Ron

Hey Anon of 11/29 @ 11:30: A quick bit of fact checking shows the Methow Valley News publisher to be a guy named Donald Nelson. Near as I can tell, Donald Nelson has nothing at all to do with the North Cascades helicopter skiing enterprise. He is a former editor or publisher of a west-side business journal, so one might expect him to naturally be more aligned with the King County Council and

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