City Parks Guide, City and State Park Reviews and Information - City Parks Guide.Com
This is a fantastic link to the parks we can enjoy right here in our neck of the woods! Kansas may not have oceans and mountains but they do a great job with offering Kansans lots of well maintained places to get outside. Pack a basket and go enjoy some outdoor time.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Get Involved!!
This website has some incredible information regarding National Parks! http://www.nationalparks.org/about-us/our-partners
This is the National Park Foundation (NPF) website and you can find all sorts of amazing information and activities!!
Every spring all the US National Parks waive the entrance fee. This year it was April 22nd through April 26th. With the 401 parks gracing this country from coast to coast there is no reason not to plan a trip. Every American is within 100 miles of a park so it's time to see what you have right here by you!
On the site you can follow a link to the calendar of events happening in each state or each park. This is the calendar of events locally happening..
This is the National Park Foundation (NPF) website and you can find all sorts of amazing information and activities!!
Every spring all the US National Parks waive the entrance fee. This year it was April 22nd through April 26th. With the 401 parks gracing this country from coast to coast there is no reason not to plan a trip. Every American is within 100 miles of a park so it's time to see what you have right here by you!
On the site you can follow a link to the calendar of events happening in each state or each park. This is the calendar of events locally happening..
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
Event Calendar
National Park Week Events
Find an Event By:
- Every Day from 04/27/2013 to 10/27/2013Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Tallgrass Prairie Bus Tours
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, Fee Information: Free
Due to Budget Cuts, Please Call Ahead for Tour Status -620-273-8494 This 90-minute prairie bus tour is usually available daily at 11 a.m. from the last Saturday in April through the last Sunday in October as staffing and budgets permits.Details | Map - 05/01/2013Fort Scott National Historic Site
Life on the Frontier
Time: 9:45 AM to 12:00 PM
Learn about community life at Fort Scott in the 1840s through a series of interactive hands on programs.Details | Map - 05/02/2013Fort Scott National Historic Site
Life on the Frontier
Time: 9:45 AM to 12:00 PM
Learn about community life at Fort Scott in the 1840s through a series of interactive hands on programs.Details | Map - Every 1st Thursday of every month. from 03/07/2013 to 05/02/2013Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
Ranger Talks at the Library
Time: 7:00 PM, Fee Information: Free
Interested in learning more about your National Parks? Come to the library the first Thursday of every month for a new adventure.Details - 05/09/2013Fort Scott National Historic Site
Sweep Through History
Time: 9:30 AM to 11:15 AM,11:30 AM to 1:15 PM
Education programs for grades 5 and 6. Interactive role playing programs focusing on Westward Expansion, Bleeding Kansas, and the Civil War.Details | Map - 05/10/2013Fort Scott National Historic Site
Sweep Through History
Time: 9:30 AM to 11:15 AM,11:30 AM to 1:15 PM
Education programs for grades 5 and 6. Interactive role playing programs focusing on Westward Expansion, Bleeding Kansas, and the Civil War.Details | Map - 05/11/2013Nicodemus National Historic Site
Creativity as Art and Labor
Time: 1:30 AM to 4:00 AM, Fee Information: Free
John Edgar Tidwell Dept. of English University of KansasDetails - 05/25/2013Fort Scott National Historic Site
Highlights in History
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Living history programs, blackpowder demonstrations, and interpretive talks hilghlighting siginificant aspects of Fort Scott's history will be offered on thes days.Details | Map - 05/26/2013Fort Scott National Historic Site
Highlights in History
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Living history programs, blackpowder demonstrations, and interpretive talks hilghlighting siginificant aspects of Fort Scott's history will be offered on thes days.Details | Map - 05/27/2013Fort Scott National Historic Site
Highlights in History
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Living history programs, blackpowder demonstrations, and interpretive talks hilghlighting siginificant aspects of Fort Scott's history will be offered on thes days.Details | Map
Last Updated: 2/23/2011
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Inspiring innovation
This young man is a true inspiration in innovation. What a great way to help his community and save the lions in a national park in Africa.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Challenges Facing the Parks
Many of the issues that face our National Parks are overlooked and unrealized. When we hear the term National Park many of us think of wide open spaces and nature. Many of us do not realize that two-thirds of the National Parks here in the US were created to preserve history and culture. That is why National Geographic lists untold stories as their number one issue facing our parks. Nearly half of the parks artifact collections have not been cataloged. There is a shortage of both space and money when it comes to properly displaying these national gems. Here is the remaining list of National Geographic's top ten issues facing our parks:
2) Crumbling History- Like the artifacts the buildings in many of these parks, such as Ellis Island and Independence Hall, our history is told through these buildings. Unfortunately they are in need of repair and the backlog is a staggering 9.5 million dollars.
3) Wildlife Maintenance-Although the animals within these parks are under protection the land outside the parks is becoming more widely developed for commercial and residential purposes. The animals do not understand boundaries and all to often wander outside their zone of protection with dire consequences for their survival.
4) Foreign Invaders- Non-native species move into the parks and can cause massive destruction for the native species in the park. These non-native species have no natural predator to control their spread and they can cause mass destruction in a short amount of time. One example of this is seen with the continued number of exotic pets released into the wild when the owner no longer wants to provide a home for the animal. This can be seen in the bottom picture when a non-native python is locked in a power struggle with the native gator. Another issue and one most scientists believe to be much more severe and widespread is the destruction caused by non-native plant species. The top picture shows and area of the everglades completely consumed by a non-native fern.
5) Adjacent Development- The development on the borders of our parks have a direct effect on the health of the parks themselves. Mining, clear-cut logging, and prospecting on the borders of parks all pose serious threats to the water, land, and air quality within the parks.
6) Climate Change- The increased temperatures are already causing Glacier National Park to literally melt away. The increased temps will also mean longer seasons of fire threat and a complete change in the ecosystem.
7) Water- Freshwater is becoming more and more scarce and without this vital component nothing can survive. Not only does the increased temperatures contribute to this issue but the pollution to the water makes it at even higher risk of shortage.
8) Air pollution- The industries outside of the parks have a direct impact on the quality of air within the parks.
9) Roads- Many of the roads within these parks are in desperate need of repair to maintain the safety of those who drive on them. Unfortunately once again the need far outweighs the resources available to correct the problem. Currently the back log is well over nine and half million dollars and growing.
10) Visitors- The parks were created for the enjoyment of all but even the most well intentioned visitor has an impact on the environment. Over crowding and the allowed usage of the park has become a growing concern for those in charge of protection and management in the park.
It is easy to see that each of the above issues are complex and there is no simple solution. The first step to correcting any problem is acknowledgement to having a problem and each of us can do that with the multitude of available information right at our fingertips.
2) Crumbling History- Like the artifacts the buildings in many of these parks, such as Ellis Island and Independence Hall, our history is told through these buildings. Unfortunately they are in need of repair and the backlog is a staggering 9.5 million dollars.
3) Wildlife Maintenance-Although the animals within these parks are under protection the land outside the parks is becoming more widely developed for commercial and residential purposes. The animals do not understand boundaries and all to often wander outside their zone of protection with dire consequences for their survival.
4) Foreign Invaders- Non-native species move into the parks and can cause massive destruction for the native species in the park. These non-native species have no natural predator to control their spread and they can cause mass destruction in a short amount of time. One example of this is seen with the continued number of exotic pets released into the wild when the owner no longer wants to provide a home for the animal. This can be seen in the bottom picture when a non-native python is locked in a power struggle with the native gator. Another issue and one most scientists believe to be much more severe and widespread is the destruction caused by non-native plant species. The top picture shows and area of the everglades completely consumed by a non-native fern.
5) Adjacent Development- The development on the borders of our parks have a direct effect on the health of the parks themselves. Mining, clear-cut logging, and prospecting on the borders of parks all pose serious threats to the water, land, and air quality within the parks.
6) Climate Change- The increased temperatures are already causing Glacier National Park to literally melt away. The increased temps will also mean longer seasons of fire threat and a complete change in the ecosystem.
7) Water- Freshwater is becoming more and more scarce and without this vital component nothing can survive. Not only does the increased temperatures contribute to this issue but the pollution to the water makes it at even higher risk of shortage.
8) Air pollution- The industries outside of the parks have a direct impact on the quality of air within the parks.
9) Roads- Many of the roads within these parks are in desperate need of repair to maintain the safety of those who drive on them. Unfortunately once again the need far outweighs the resources available to correct the problem. Currently the back log is well over nine and half million dollars and growing.
10) Visitors- The parks were created for the enjoyment of all but even the most well intentioned visitor has an impact on the environment. Over crowding and the allowed usage of the park has become a growing concern for those in charge of protection and management in the park.
It is easy to see that each of the above issues are complex and there is no simple solution. The first step to correcting any problem is acknowledgement to having a problem and each of us can do that with the multitude of available information right at our fingertips.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
National Parks of the World
The purpose of this blog is to bring attention to some of the beautiful places this earth has to offer. I hope sharing information about these treasures will encourage my readers to think about visiting a National Park the next time they are planning their vacation. I also hope it will loosen their wallets just a little because if we all pitch in hopefully we can save these diamonds in the rough from destruction at the hands of humans. We all need to be aware of the threats these parks face if we are going to help protect them, that is what this blog is all about, becoming aware.
Why is it important to protect the National Parks? These parks provide a place to come and learn about the environment and see wildlife in their natural habitat. They contribute to the cleanliness, of the waters and air we all breath. Maintaining these parks are the best hope for many species to keep from becoming extinct. These amazing treasures are key components to maintaining the fragile balance of the earth's ecosystem. Anyone who has had the opportunity to spend a day among the giants of the Redwood Forest or hiked the Grand Canyon knows without question the splendor and beauty that these places have to offer. It is the responsibility of this generation to ensure these places will be available to offer their enjoyment to the future generations. This is done by protecting these parks from humans with greedy motivations who do not value the park's beauty because that is not an asset that holds a dollar value.
There are a number of resources available to everyone on the internet to learn more about the national parks all around the world and what they have to offer for your next visit. The following link is a great educational site that includes amazing pictures and great activities for the kids. Over the next weeks we will take a look at some of the parks here in the US and others all around the world. I want to create an awareness about the issues each park is facing, but I also want to generate a love for these parks because that will be the true motivation to do your part.
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/edresources/
Why is it important to protect the National Parks? These parks provide a place to come and learn about the environment and see wildlife in their natural habitat. They contribute to the cleanliness, of the waters and air we all breath. Maintaining these parks are the best hope for many species to keep from becoming extinct. These amazing treasures are key components to maintaining the fragile balance of the earth's ecosystem. Anyone who has had the opportunity to spend a day among the giants of the Redwood Forest or hiked the Grand Canyon knows without question the splendor and beauty that these places have to offer. It is the responsibility of this generation to ensure these places will be available to offer their enjoyment to the future generations. This is done by protecting these parks from humans with greedy motivations who do not value the park's beauty because that is not an asset that holds a dollar value.
There are a number of resources available to everyone on the internet to learn more about the national parks all around the world and what they have to offer for your next visit. The following link is a great educational site that includes amazing pictures and great activities for the kids. Over the next weeks we will take a look at some of the parks here in the US and others all around the world. I want to create an awareness about the issues each park is facing, but I also want to generate a love for these parks because that will be the true motivation to do your part.
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/edresources/
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