Jun 17 Senate approves $2.8 billion plan to boost conservation, parks By Matthew Daly, Associated Press The Senate has approved a bipartisan bill that would double spending on a popular conservation program and devote nearly $2 billion a year to improve and maintain national parks. Continue reading
Mar 31 Calls mount to close Grand Canyon after resident gets virus By Felicia Fonseca Members of Congress and city, county and tribal officials have urged the Interior Department to approve a request from the park to close. Continue reading
Mar 24 Major national parks close to fight virus outbreak By Mead Gruver, Brady McCombs, Associated Press Other parks that remain open have closed shuttles, campgrounds, visitor centers and some trails to prevent the spread of COVID-19. … Continue reading
Mar 24 Watch 2:46 News Wrap: Afghan leaders trade blame for possible cut in U.S. aid In our news wrap Tuesday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and rival Abdullah Abdullah traded blame for a possible $1 billion reduction of U.S. aid. Sec. of State Mike Pompeo made the threat after meeting with them in Kabul. Also, The… Continue watching
Mar 19 National parks are free, but some oppose that amid the outbreak By Brady McCombs, James Anderson, Associated Press Entry fees have been eliminated, but many parks are closing visitor centers, shuttles and lodges to fight the spread of the virus. Gateway towns, however, fear they couldn't handle a local outbreak. Continue reading
Mar 05 Senators reach $2 billion deal to boost national park conservation By Matthew Daly, Associated Press If approved by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, it would provide for spending more than $2 billion per year on conservation and outdoor recreation projects and park maintenance across the country. Continue reading
Mar 01 Watch 2:15 Yosemite ‘firefall’ slows to a trickle amid drought By Christopher Booker, Michael D. Regan, Mori Rothman A natural spectacle called "firefall" happens each February in California's Yosemite National Park when light from the setting sun strikes the park's Horsetail Falls, making it look like it's ablaze with fire. But this year the waterfall slowed to a… Continue watching
Dec 12 Invasive animals pose ‘deep and immediate threat’ to U.S. national parks, study finds By Elisheva Mittelman, Yale Environment 360 More than half of all U.S. National Parks are overrun with invasive animal species, such as rats, pythons and feral hogs, according to a new study. Continue reading
Aug 30 Electric bicycles could be coming to national park trails By Ellen Knickmeyer, David Sharp, Associated Press Interior Secretary David Bernhardt has signed an order that classifies e-bikes as non-motorized bikes, allowing the-bikes on every federal trail where a regular bicycles can go. Continue reading
Jul 26 U.S. government to allow off-roading at a Utah national monument By Brady McCombs, Associated Press The plan was met by immediate criticism from environmental and tribal organizations who say it will leave sensitive lands and sites vulnerable to damage. Continue reading