Vol 3, # 24

   Wednesday, March 3, 1999

YELLOWSTONE
WEATHER
Highs 30s, Lows 20s
Chance of Snow
 

Yellowstone Net Home Page

NOTE:   The following is a 1997 125th Anniversary Yellowstone press release from NPS.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS)-- Yellowstone National Park--some say it is America's greatest contribution to world culture-- the best idea we ever had. Yet when President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone Park Act on March 1, 1872, the preservation of a park more than 3,300 square miles in size was a radical idea. This was a time when natural resources were thought to be limitless, and conservation was considered wasteful.

With the signing of the Act, a new era in conservation began.

Historically, in Europe, "parks" were owned by the wealthy elite for their use alone. In early America, particularly Puritan New England, the attitude toward the value of work resulted in the perception that idle time led to wickedness, and nature was viewed as frightening and something to be subdued. But in the 1800s the philosophy of romanticism evolved in Europe and spread to America. Men such as Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote about nature in a new way. They described it as wondrous, beautiful, and restorative. In the mid-1800s American cities began setting aside tracts of land for public parks such as Central Park in New York. Attitudes were changing.

In 1870 and 1871, expeditions were sent to explore the area we now know as Yellowstone National Park. The members of those expeditions and many other Americans, influenced by this new way of viewing nature, worked tirelessly to have the Yellowstone Park Act introduced into Congress in December 1871. Congressional debate focused on the "worthlessness" of the Yellowstone country for any "useful" purpose. The lack of any known reserves of timber, minerals, or other resources of any economic value was emphasized. Because most of the area was at or above 7,000 feet in elevation and received snow during much of the year, agriculture and settlement were considered difficult at best. Though Congressional opposition was weak, the necessity of preserving a place of such little value was questioned. In order to secure passage of the bill, supporters promised that no funding from Congress would be requested for the park's administration. Indeed, Yellowstone received no federal funding until 1877 when it was recognized that without someone in charge, there would soon be nothing left to see as poaching and vandalism were rampant.

Our perception of Yellowstone has changed dramatically since the Congressional debates of 1871-1872. Today the park is host to more than 3 million visitors each year from all over the world. While still fairly remote, it is no longer inaccessible. Its geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and wildlife are no longer thought to be worthless, but are considered priceless. The park has become an integral part of our culture and stands as a symbol, not only of American democracy, but also of the importance of preserving wild places for everyone. As we celebrate Yellowstone's 125th anniversary, we are reminded of the vision of those early park supporters who believed that Yellowstone's resources should be preserved not for their economic value but for their intrinsic natural beauty. We are the beneficiaries of their efforts to have this special place set aside "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people."

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS

Ralph Maughan
Kim Steinbacher
Kevin Sanders
Steve Brashear
Clint Wilkes
Tim Gourley
Hon. Bob Gammage
Ruth Colter-Frick
Lee Whittlesey
Tom Mazzarisi
Russ Finley
David Monteith
Denise Elmer
Dr. Robert Bara

BELGRADE, Mont. (YNET) -- My column today is from Tanya, a student who has already worked two summers in Yellowstone. I sent her a list of questions so I could do a story on her. I got this response and was so impressed I am running it verbatim. It will be easy for you to figure out what questions I asked by reading this. This is a very insightful, interesting and entertaining point of view from someone who has "been there/done that". I am very proud to have Tanya as a friend. Enjoy.

First, I go to school at Spokane Community College and plan to transfer to Eastern Washington University.  I'm still undecided about my major, I think I want to go into Graphic Communication, or something to that sort. I found out about the job through the paper, my mom actually saw it and basically made me apply otherwise I would have been doing some lame job at McDonalds after my senior year in high school.  My Great-Aunt also worked in the park in 69, and my grandma would always go visit her.  And the same year I was there so was my second cousin.  The second year I was there so was her brother.   I guess you could say it is a family thing now.

Well, I loved it there.  Yes, I did get homesick and partied probably way to much.  But for once I felt like a college student not some nerd who sits at home and watches TV all day long.  It was a nice break not to have a TV around.  My first day in the park was a little scary. I said goodbye to my parents that drove me down and realized this was the longest time I would have to be away from them.  They left me in Mammoth and I took the bus from there to Canyon.  On the bus ride in we saw 3 bears, one of them was a grizzly.  Since that day I haven't seen a grizzly.  I arrived in Canyon and checked in doing all that fun stuff, got to my room and there was already someone there.  She was at work though.  Well, about 4:00 she came back from work and asked me if I wanted to go hike 7-mile hole. Well, I didn't know about that hike till I did it.  We ended up walking through mud and snow and it was a mess.  Also, we didn't have a flashlight and didn't make it home till about 10 o'clock.  Talk about a first day in the park.

I returned for a second season because I had friends returning and I liked the summer there. This time I drove.  I wanted to bring all the essentials with me not just the bare minimum.  So the drive was fine.  I met up with a friend in Bozeman and we spent the night there.  The next morning we took off.  But I forgot one key thing in Bozeman. GAS!!!   I ran out of gas about 5 miles out of Gardnier, could you get any closer? So I hitched in, got picked up by a park ranger, who dropped me off at the check in point.  My friend who was driving ahead of me was there.  I told him I ran out of gas and locked my keys in the car because I got so upset.  To this day I don't lock my car.  And I gas up after a half of a tank.

As for Yellowstone, it will always be my second home.  And CANYON ROCKS!!  No other part of the park is as beautiful and inspiring.  Plus you're right in the middle. 

Who knows what the future will bring, perhaps another year in the park or a trip to the Adirondacks in New York.  One thing for sure:  it will be in the great outdoors!

The picture?  That's me and my brothers at the bottom of Uncle Tom's trail.

-- Tanya

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) --
On the fiftieth anniversary of Yellowstone (1922) Semi-Centennial Geyser, located about four miles north of Norris, came to life in a "furious explosion" on August 14, according to old Haynes' Guides.  "The first eruption was estimated to be about 300 feet high.  The few other discharges were smaller and occurred at increasing intervals until by the end of the season activity ceased."

Yellowstone is ever-changing: it is different from season to season, especially in regards to thermal activity.  Ever-changing yet largely protected from the oftentimes harsh hand of mankind, Yellowstone is a land of mystique and adventure, casting its spell upon millions from generation to generation.

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A newly-released National Park Service study reveals that speed does make a difference in wildlife fatalities caused by motorists in Yellowstone.

Throughout most of Yellowstone, posted speed limits do not exceed 45 mph.  The only exception is Highway 191 as it cuts through the northwest corner of the Park:   the posted speed limit on this stretch of highway, the only commercial highway in Yellowstone, is 55 mph.  Although 191 comprises only about 7% of Yellowstone's total road miles, some 40% of Yellowstone's roadkill takes place on that highway.

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