Today, Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta, Canada) and Glacier National Park (Montana, USA) are proud to announce that they have received full certification as an International Dark Sky Park, after meeting the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) outdoor lighting requirements.
Waterton-Glacier International Dark Sky Park has installed dark sky-friendly lighting while ensuring lighting used is necessary for public safety. These lights and fixtures reduce the harmful impacts of artificial lighting on wildlife, protect human health and preserve night skies for optimal viewing.
Parks Canada is adding to its reputation as an international leader in the preservation of night skies with this certification in Waterton Lakes National Park. In 2021, new LED streetlights were installed in Waterton Lakes in accordance with Parks Canada outdoor lighting guidelines and IDA standards. This completed the requirements for certification as a dark sky park. Waterton Lakes’ new streetlights feature a custom LED colour temperature, PC Amber (1650K). Parks Canada will continue to replace park lighting with these new LEDs over time. With this certification, Waterton Lakes joins 12 other Parks Canada-administered places with dark sky designations.
In Glacier National Park, new LED streetlights were installed in the West Glacier headquarters area and park residences received either new, dark sky-friendly fixtures and LED bulbs, or simply had the existing bulbs replaced. Additionally, replacement fixtures have been purchased for the East Glacier, St. Mary, and Many Glacier areas of the park for installation later this year.
Dark Sky Park certification helps raise awareness about light pollution and highlights how Waterton-Glacier International Dark Sky Park is reducing the impacts of outdoor lighting. It also provides opportunities for visitors to experience the night sky at its best in both parks.
Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park now hold four joint designations: International Peace Park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, and the first transboundary IDA International Dark Sky Park.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Friday, August 6, 2021
Wildland Fire Potential Exists Through September
The Bridger-Teton National Forest Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge recently received some monsoon moisture and the fire danger has decreased to high, with Stage 1 fire restrictions still in effect.
The area remains in moderate to severe drought conditions with temperature and precipitation outlooks for drier and warmer than normal conditions through the remainder of the summer. Analyses and outlooks indicate significant wildland fire potential exists through September in the greater Teton Interagency Dispatch area.
Precipitation over the last couple weeks was very sporadic. Some locations received well over an inch of rain while other areas only received a quarter inch. Going into this monsoonal moisture pattern fuels were at critical levels and some remain significantly drier than average. With warm and dry weather expected by next week fuels conditions will quickly rebound to previous levels.
Visitors to public lands are reminded that fire restrictions are in place and responsible fire behavior is critically important through August and September.
* Lighting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, barbeque or grill is ONLY ALLOWED at designated recreation sites such as established campgrounds or picnic areas. Use of portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, or use of a fully enclosed sheepherder type stove with a spark arrester screen is permitted.
* Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle, building (unless otherwise prohibited), developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of al flammable materials ( parking lots, developed campsites, or locations surrounded by water).
* Year-round, operating a chainsaw is prohibited in national parks and on the wildlife refuge. Operating a chainsaw on national forest lands is permitted only when equipped with a USDA or SAE approved spark arrestor that is properly installed and in effective working order. Operators must also carry a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
* Discharge of fireworks and use of explosives requiring blasting caps are prohibited.
* Charcoal burning fires are only allowed in official campgrounds and picnic areas.
Stoves and grills that burn contained fuel sources that can be turned off and on are allowed. Stoves and grills must be attended to at all times and be setup on hardened surfaces devoid of vegetation at least three feet in diameter. There have been more than 150 illegal and abandoned campfires in the Teton Interagency Fire area to date for this year. Unattended or abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires, and it is extremely important that all campfires are completely extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving a campfire. The easiest way to avoid an escaped campfire is to choose not to have one. Come prepared with warm layers and easy to cook food. If you choose to build a fire in an approved location, never leave a fire unattended and always prepare for the unexpected by having a water bucket and shovel on hand and ready to use.
Additional information on restrictions and allowable stoves and to learn more about fire safety visit TetonFires.com. To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
The area remains in moderate to severe drought conditions with temperature and precipitation outlooks for drier and warmer than normal conditions through the remainder of the summer. Analyses and outlooks indicate significant wildland fire potential exists through September in the greater Teton Interagency Dispatch area.
Precipitation over the last couple weeks was very sporadic. Some locations received well over an inch of rain while other areas only received a quarter inch. Going into this monsoonal moisture pattern fuels were at critical levels and some remain significantly drier than average. With warm and dry weather expected by next week fuels conditions will quickly rebound to previous levels.
Visitors to public lands are reminded that fire restrictions are in place and responsible fire behavior is critically important through August and September.
* Lighting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, barbeque or grill is ONLY ALLOWED at designated recreation sites such as established campgrounds or picnic areas. Use of portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, or use of a fully enclosed sheepherder type stove with a spark arrester screen is permitted.
* Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle, building (unless otherwise prohibited), developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of al flammable materials ( parking lots, developed campsites, or locations surrounded by water).
* Year-round, operating a chainsaw is prohibited in national parks and on the wildlife refuge. Operating a chainsaw on national forest lands is permitted only when equipped with a USDA or SAE approved spark arrestor that is properly installed and in effective working order. Operators must also carry a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
* Discharge of fireworks and use of explosives requiring blasting caps are prohibited.
* Charcoal burning fires are only allowed in official campgrounds and picnic areas.
Stoves and grills that burn contained fuel sources that can be turned off and on are allowed. Stoves and grills must be attended to at all times and be setup on hardened surfaces devoid of vegetation at least three feet in diameter. There have been more than 150 illegal and abandoned campfires in the Teton Interagency Fire area to date for this year. Unattended or abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires, and it is extremely important that all campfires are completely extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving a campfire. The easiest way to avoid an escaped campfire is to choose not to have one. Come prepared with warm layers and easy to cook food. If you choose to build a fire in an approved location, never leave a fire unattended and always prepare for the unexpected by having a water bucket and shovel on hand and ready to use.
Additional information on restrictions and allowable stoves and to learn more about fire safety visit TetonFires.com. To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Illinois woman charged in Yellowstone National Park case involving grizzly sow and cubs
Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that SAMANTHA R DEHRING, age 25 of Carol Stream, Illinois, was charged with one count of willfully remaining, approaching, and photographing wildlife within 100 yards and one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening, or intentionally disturbing wildlife. Dehring is expected to appear in front of Magistrate Judge Mark L. Carman in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming on August 26, 2021, for her arraignment.
According to the violation notices, Dehring was at Roaring Mountain in Yellowstone National Park on May 10, 2021, when visitors noticed a sow grizzly and her three cubs. While other visitors slowly backed off and got into their vehicles, Dehring remained. She continued to take pictures as the sow bluff charged her. Witnesses took pictures and video of the incident which was shared with news outlets and eventually led to her identification. Dehring faces up to a year in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Park Rangers from Yellowstone National Park provided the results of their investigation to Rangers in Dehring’s area who served her the violation notices in person. These charges are only accusations of a violation of law and Dehring is presumed innocent until when and if proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by Yellowstone National Park Rangers and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Hambrick.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
According to the violation notices, Dehring was at Roaring Mountain in Yellowstone National Park on May 10, 2021, when visitors noticed a sow grizzly and her three cubs. While other visitors slowly backed off and got into their vehicles, Dehring remained. She continued to take pictures as the sow bluff charged her. Witnesses took pictures and video of the incident which was shared with news outlets and eventually led to her identification. Dehring faces up to a year in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Park Rangers from Yellowstone National Park provided the results of their investigation to Rangers in Dehring’s area who served her the violation notices in person. These charges are only accusations of a violation of law and Dehring is presumed innocent until when and if proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by Yellowstone National Park Rangers and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Hambrick.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Monday, August 2, 2021
Public Input Sought on Proposed Air Tour Management Plans
The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will seek the public’s feedback on proposed air tour management plans for 24 national parks. Among these parks is Glacier National Park.
To encourage broad public participation, the agencies will livestream the meetings on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Comments may be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website. Updated information on meetings and comment periods will be announced through the publication of notices in the Federal Register.
“The purpose of the air tour plans is to ensure that park resource values, including natural sounds, wilderness character, visitor experiences, wildlife, and other natural and cultural resources, are protected in national parks where air tours occur,” said Ray Sauvajot, Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science in the National Park Service.
“Public feedback is vital in developing proposed air tour management plans for national parks across the United States," said Kevin Welsh, Executive Director, FAA Office of Environment and Energy. “The FAA looks forward to working in partnership with the National Park Service, tribal leaders and community groups.”
The agencies hope to complete all air tour management plans by the end of August 2022. The schedule is part of a plan approved by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for the agencies to comply with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 within two years.
An important part of the process is the inclusion of Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The agencies are consulting with Tribes that have tribal lands within or adjacent to national parks with air tours, and with Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations that attach historic and cultural significance to resources within these parks.
Please visit this NPS site and this FAA site for detailed information about air tour management plans. Links to meeting notifications, recordings, and slide decks (where applicable) will be posted to the NPS site.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
To encourage broad public participation, the agencies will livestream the meetings on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Comments may be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website. Updated information on meetings and comment periods will be announced through the publication of notices in the Federal Register.
“The purpose of the air tour plans is to ensure that park resource values, including natural sounds, wilderness character, visitor experiences, wildlife, and other natural and cultural resources, are protected in national parks where air tours occur,” said Ray Sauvajot, Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science in the National Park Service.
“Public feedback is vital in developing proposed air tour management plans for national parks across the United States," said Kevin Welsh, Executive Director, FAA Office of Environment and Energy. “The FAA looks forward to working in partnership with the National Park Service, tribal leaders and community groups.”
The agencies hope to complete all air tour management plans by the end of August 2022. The schedule is part of a plan approved by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for the agencies to comply with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 within two years.
An important part of the process is the inclusion of Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The agencies are consulting with Tribes that have tribal lands within or adjacent to national parks with air tours, and with Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations that attach historic and cultural significance to resources within these parks.
Please visit this NPS site and this FAA site for detailed information about air tour management plans. Links to meeting notifications, recordings, and slide decks (where applicable) will be posted to the NPS site.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Friday, July 30, 2021
Grand Teton Park Continues Efforts to Protect Bighorn Sheep
Grand Teton National Park is continuing a multi-year program to eradicate non-native mountain goats as part of a management plan aimed to conserve a native and vulnerable population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in the Teton Range. The program includes a qualified volunteer culling program this fall, September 22-October 25, to remove non-native mountain goats from the park.
The use of qualified volunteers is a tool identified in the National Park Service’s 2019 Mountain Goat Management Plan. There is widespread interest among local, state, and national stakeholders in conserving the Teton Range bighorn sheep herd. The National Park Service is working on this project in cooperation with federal and state partners including the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and with guidance identified in the 2019 John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.
A park culling program took place in the fall of 2020 with 108 qualified volunteers successfully and safely removing 43 non-native mountain goats. It is estimated that approximately 50 goats remain in the park.
In the interest of safety and efficiency, the park is only drawing on qualified volunteers who were trained and participated in the program last year. There are significantly fewer mountain goats in the park and removal will be exceedingly more difficult. The park will not be accepting new applicants for the volunteer program.
Last year’s participants must once again undergo a background check, and may not have active warrants, past wildlife violations, or violations associated with Grand Teton National Park. Volunteers identified as shooters must successfully pass a mandatory firearm proficiency evaluation. All volunteers are United States citizens and at least 18 years of age.
The Teton Range is home to a small herd of native bighorn sheep that is currently estimated to have at least 125 animals. As one of the smaller and most isolated herds in Wyoming, that has never been extirpated or augmented, it is of high conservation value to the park, adjacent land and wildlife managers, and visitors. The National Park Service has a responsibility to protect native species and reduce the potential for local extinction of a native species within the park.
Mountain goats are not native to Grand Teton National Park. Mountain goats were introduced into the Snake River Range in Idaho and over the years, their population expanded and reached the Teton Range. Mountain goats can carry bacterial diseases that are lethal to bighorn sheep. The Teton Range bighorn sheep population has been relatively isolated and is therefore likely ‘naïve’ to these diseases.
Without immediate intervention, the mountain goat population is expected to grow and could contribute to the potential extirpation of the native bighorn sheep.
There are key differences between a culling program in a national park and traditional recreational hunting.
* Culling in a national park is done exclusively for conservation and stewardship purposes, while hunting is primarily for recreation or procuring food.
* Culling in a national park is conducted under controlled circumstances with the supervision of National Park Service personnel, while hunting is performed at the hunter’s discretion, subject to applicable licensing and laws.
* Volunteers may not keep a trophy when participating in a culling program in a national park. The meat may be donated or distributed to Indian Tribes, qualified volunteers, food banks, and other organizations that work to address hunger, in accordance with applicable health guidelines.
* Culling in a national park does not generate revenue and does not include fair chase.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
The use of qualified volunteers is a tool identified in the National Park Service’s 2019 Mountain Goat Management Plan. There is widespread interest among local, state, and national stakeholders in conserving the Teton Range bighorn sheep herd. The National Park Service is working on this project in cooperation with federal and state partners including the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and with guidance identified in the 2019 John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.
A park culling program took place in the fall of 2020 with 108 qualified volunteers successfully and safely removing 43 non-native mountain goats. It is estimated that approximately 50 goats remain in the park.
In the interest of safety and efficiency, the park is only drawing on qualified volunteers who were trained and participated in the program last year. There are significantly fewer mountain goats in the park and removal will be exceedingly more difficult. The park will not be accepting new applicants for the volunteer program.
Last year’s participants must once again undergo a background check, and may not have active warrants, past wildlife violations, or violations associated with Grand Teton National Park. Volunteers identified as shooters must successfully pass a mandatory firearm proficiency evaluation. All volunteers are United States citizens and at least 18 years of age.
The Teton Range is home to a small herd of native bighorn sheep that is currently estimated to have at least 125 animals. As one of the smaller and most isolated herds in Wyoming, that has never been extirpated or augmented, it is of high conservation value to the park, adjacent land and wildlife managers, and visitors. The National Park Service has a responsibility to protect native species and reduce the potential for local extinction of a native species within the park.
Mountain goats are not native to Grand Teton National Park. Mountain goats were introduced into the Snake River Range in Idaho and over the years, their population expanded and reached the Teton Range. Mountain goats can carry bacterial diseases that are lethal to bighorn sheep. The Teton Range bighorn sheep population has been relatively isolated and is therefore likely ‘naïve’ to these diseases.
Without immediate intervention, the mountain goat population is expected to grow and could contribute to the potential extirpation of the native bighorn sheep.
There are key differences between a culling program in a national park and traditional recreational hunting.
* Culling in a national park is done exclusively for conservation and stewardship purposes, while hunting is primarily for recreation or procuring food.
* Culling in a national park is conducted under controlled circumstances with the supervision of National Park Service personnel, while hunting is performed at the hunter’s discretion, subject to applicable licensing and laws.
* Volunteers may not keep a trophy when participating in a culling program in a national park. The meat may be donated or distributed to Indian Tribes, qualified volunteers, food banks, and other organizations that work to address hunger, in accordance with applicable health guidelines.
* Culling in a national park does not generate revenue and does not include fair chase.
Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)