Big Bend National Park Officials Staying Busy Keeping The Park Open
On day nineteen of the partial government shutdown, park managers at Big Bend National Park are busy providing limited services to keep the park open.
Big Bend National Park
Unease Hangs Over National Parks As Partial Shutdown Continues
Sinking morale among the National Park Service ranks and accumulating human waste and garbage are just some of the symptoms of the ongoing government shutdown that has left many national parks open but without adequate staffing. Not so visible are the impacts being suffered in long-term environmental monitoring, work on visitor management plans and environmental impact statements, and even potential setbacks to the hiring of next summer's seasonal rangers.
UPDATED | Traveler's View: Keeping Parks Open During Government Shutdown Is Bad Idea
Keeping most units of the National Park System open during the partial government shutdown is a bad idea, as accumulating human waste and garbage poses sanitation issues and some visitors are taking advantage of the lack of presence of rangers to do what they want, regardless of regulations.
UPDATED: Yosemite National Park Closes Hetch Hetchy Area, People Entering Closed Areas Being Cited
Like a slowly toppling row of dominoes, areas around the National Park System are closing to the public during the ongoing government shutdown because of the absence of maintenance crews to deal with garbage and human waste. At Joshua Tree National Park, officials also said resources were being damaged "by driving off road and other infractions."
Crowds, Lack Of Maintenance Crews, Creating Problems In National Parks
Garbage at Big Bend National Park is serving as chum for black bears as the park lacks maintenance crews to haul away the trash during the government shutdown, while in Shenandoah National Park some areas were closed Thursday due to unspecified resource and public safety concerns.
Herbicides, Fire Will Be Used To Control Exotic Plants At Big Bend National Park
A National Park Service plan has been finalized to protect the natural and cultural resources of Big Bend National Park from the harmful effects of non-native plants, such as African buffelgrass, Lehman lovegrass, and tamarisk (saltcedar).
Some National Parks Beginning To Struggle With Garbage, Snow During Shutdown
With no maintenance crews available during the government shutdown, some parks are closing campgrounds due to overflowing garbage while others are closing roads due to snowy conditions.
Photography In The National Parks: Capturing The Face Of Winter
'Tis the season for winter visits to national parks, when the face of the landscape may have markedly changed, and visitation is lower. In addition to all the neat activities you can do in a national park, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding and ice fishing, photographer Rebecca Latson wants to remind you to add photography to those activities. This month's article provides tips and techniques for capturing awesome images as well as prepping yourself and your camera for the elements.
Canoeist at Big Bend National Park Dies In Fall
A Texas man on a five-day canoe trip on the Rio Grande River through Big Bend National Park has died in a fall.
Lost Mine Trail Area Of Big Bend National Park Closed Due To Bears
Big Bend National Park officials have closed, until further notice, the popular Lost Mine Trail area due to increased bear activity.
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