Can duct tape be the answer?

...no.

While one may get a laugh out of this photo, I'd like to point out that it's becoming rather evident that our National Parks have entered into a state of disarray with the current budget crisis...

Exhibit A: "Classic Ranger Fix: 'duct tape fixes all'- Yosemite Entrance Sign" (August 2011)

... which will lead our visitors, who, of course know about the budget crisis, but are on vacation... thus entering into "ask a Ranger" mode, to inquire to the Rangers on the frontlines: "Why is this happening?!"

Answer:  Several factors are contributing to this. The NPS budget has been meager for the last 10 years and this year it was cut by 101 million dollars. This may not seem like much, but the service as a whole has a maintenance backlog of about eleven billion dollars. In addition, with the recession, most NPS units are still experiencing a high visitor volume. In 2010 there were over 281 million visitors to the National Parks. Yellowstone, Yosemite and Grand Canyon each entertain 3.5 – 4 million visitors each year and the numbers are increasing. This colossal traffic jam occurs on narrow winding roads that used to accommodate horse trails. The bumper-to-bumper assemblage produces pollution, noise and chaos that stress the wildlife and environment. The visitor “experience” is reduced to barely survivable, and it takes all efforts of the meager Ranger staff just to survive the busy season on very few hours of sleep. 

Now, you may be asking- what can I do to help? For starters, keep on top of legislators to slate more funding for these precious resources in order to meet the demands being placed upon them by the visiting public. While it may sound harsh, we may even see a limit to visitors within our generation. These magnificent parks deserve our best efforts to protect them for future generations. You can also contact park Superintendants regarding specific park issues, but be aware that they do not really have a hand in how much money is allotted to each park unit-- rather, just how that small fraction of money is split between divisions.


These are just my views and opinions, and not that of the agency- but the facts and numbers above were obtained from the NPS website. So, faithful readers, what's your opinion?

The Great Conservation Debate...

What constitutes a species as "invasive?" Who are we to decide that a species is "invasive?" 

Endangered Southwestern Flycatcher Nest in an "Invasive" Tamarisk (Salt Cedar) along the Colorado River.

(Photo credit: USGS)

Are most of us not, as residents of the U.S., an "invasive" species in America? Did the majority of Americans living in this country NOT make their way over to America nestled on boats and planes?  Birds have been the main vehicle of plant migration so "invasive" species aren't unnatural by any means. Ancient man also played a huge roll in what species are present in many locations. It would be naive to assume that todays migration of species isnt in some way normal.

An estimated 1,500 plants and animals across the U.S. were brought into the country for cultivation, or hitchhiked rides on the trains, boats and planes of international commerce. They ended up in places where most scientists say they don’t belong. When I think of invasive species, a few come to mind. Namely, Zebra Mussels (native to Eastern Europe), and Tamarisk (also called Salt Cedar, native to Eurasia), to name the top two that I, as a ranger, see all the time.   

Every year trillions of dollars are spent in the U.S. in an effort to “eradicate” or “control” these “invaders”.  In my opinion, it’s time to re-think our relationship with these species—and you can call them whichever terrible name you prefer—most of them are here to stay. These “exotics,” “invasive,” "alien," and “nuisance” species are now residents of our parks, forests, and communities.

Species have been evolving, migrating, and going extinct long before we, as a species, arrived on this planet. To identify one as "native" and another as "invasive" is almost drawing a line in time.  I will agree that management is key, however—can’t one argue that “invasion” is normal process of nature? In doing so, can’t we learn to manage BOTH what we call “invasive” and “native” species, living together?

Isn’t the fabric of the world woven by constant change? 

 EVOLUTION is CHANGE.

Here's a cool article from 2009: Don't Sweat the Invasion!