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The latest news from around the National Park System.

Small Alpine Insects Are Big Messengers Of Climate Change At Glacier National Park

Two rare alpine insects – native to the northern Rocky Mountains and dependent on cold waters of glacier and snowmelt-fed alpine streams – are imperiled due to climate warming induced glacier and snow loss according to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners.

UPDATED: Congress Trying To Pass National Park Service Centennial Act

The House of Representatives moved quickly Tuesday to pass legislation designed to provide the National Park Service with badly needed funds to help the agency chip away at a staggering, $12 billion maintenance backlog. However, without concurrence by the Senate by week's end the measure could die.

Traveler's View: Federal Lands Poised To Suffer Under Next Interior Secretary

As we wait for the incoming Trump administration to identify its nominee for Interior secretary, we can't help but envision what the outcome could be. Among those said to be under consideration, or jockeying for the job, are retiring U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop of Utah, and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, all Republicans who favor energy exploration over conservation.

Olympic National Park's Mountain Goat Population Grows Past 600 Animals

Olympic National Park's population of nonnative mountain goats has grown past 600 animals and could increase by 45 percent over the next five years if current reproduction trends continue and no efforts are made to blunt the population, according to a report from the U.S. Geological Survey.

NPS Ombuds Appointed To Help Combat Harassment And Discrimination In The Workplace

National Park Service Deputy Director Michael Reynolds has announced the appointment of two "Ombuds" for the National Park Service who will play a role in the agency's efforts to root out and end discrimination, harassment, and retaliation from the National Park Service and "provide every employee with a safe and respectful work environment."

National Park Service Plans To Partially Re-open Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site In Early 2017

After temporarily closing the childhood home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in August for safety reasons, the National Park Service is optimistic that the first floor will be repaired and re-opened to the visiting public in time for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday weekend in January.

Legislation To Put Price Tag On Outdoor Recreation’s Economic Value Sent To President

Outdoor recreation’s impact on the U.S. economy will be tracked by the government for the first time, providing information for Congress to make “sound environmental and recreational policies,” if a bill sent to the president last week is signed into law.

600 Fighting Chimney Tops 2 Fire At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Six-hundred firefighters were spread out across Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Saturday trying to better assess the growing footprint of the deadly Chimney Tops 2 Fire while also working to get the upper hand on a second fire that had covered 750 acres in the park's backcountry.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways Seeking Outfitters For Paddling

The National Park Service issued a concession prospectus for the continuation of 13 concession contracts for the rental of canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes, and providing associated shuttle services within Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri. The response date for submissions is March 1, 2017. The term of each concession contract will be for ten years.

Permit Issued To Kill Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Mountain Lion

In the quilt of public and private lands that fall within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, wild and domestic animals live relatively side-by-side. But when animals such as mountain lions view alpacas and goats as meals, then California officials can essentially sign death warrants for the cats. That's been done in the case of P-45, a mountain lion thought to be responsible for the recent predation of 11 alpacas and a goat.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.