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YELLOWSTONE WEATHER Highs 80s, Lows 30s Partly Cloudy More Weather ROAD REPORT All roads are now open! More Info THE DAILY CARTOON ONLINE GREETING CARDS PUBLISHER Yellowstone Net Company EDITOR-IN- CHIEF Bruce Gourley MORE LINKS Discussion Newspaper Archives Send us your comments		PROTECTING YELLOWSTONE by Bruce Gourley Yellowstone is a national treasure which is owned by the American public. Protecting Yellowstone is the responsibility of the American public. This weekly feature will help identify and explore the issues which are crucial to the ongoing, healthy existence of the "Crown Jewel" of America's National Park system. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- For those visiting Yellowstone this summer, one of the best ways to learn "close-up" of the challenges facing Yellowstone is by attending one of the many ranger-led programs within the Park. Evening campfire programs are presented throughout the Park at visitor centers and campgrounds, and are open to the public. The following ranger programs underway this summer give Park visitors a better understanding of just what is needed to protect Yellowstone for now and future generations: "The National Park Idea" -- Since the creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, the number and diversity of parks has grown nationally and worldwide. Yellowstone's role in the evolution of this idea and how the idea has impacted global conservation and preservation of natural and cultural resources are explored. "The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem" -- Yellowstone is the core of the largest intact temperate ecosystem remaining in the world. Find out how the political boundaries and different management philosophies affect this immense natural reserve. "Exploring the Issues of Yellowstone" -- Management of Yellowstone's resources and visitors is rarely clear-cut and is often controversial. Find out about some of these issues, and the research, planning, and public involvement necessary for the decisions made. (Yellowstone Net provides you opportunity to voice your opinion regarding the various Yellowstone issues to your congresspersons and to editorial sections of magazines and newspapers by clicking here.) BACK TO TOP
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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. Bob Bara Matthew McLean		SNOWMOBILING UPDATE News Brief The state of Wyoming has gone on record as opposing a snowmobile ban in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The state office, in correspondence with the National Park Service, has noted its beliefs that snowmobiling is an appropriate form of winter transportation in Yellowstone. The state has also noted its belief that the Park Service is underestimating the number of snowcoaches that would be needed to handle winter visitors if snowmobiles are banned from the Park. The state of Wyoming is of the opinion that not enough research has been done to make a decision to prohibit snowmobiles from Yellowstone. This action by the state of Wyoming is in reaction to the Park Service's recent ban on snowmobiles in national parks in order to comply with the Clean Air Act. Yellowstone and Grand Teton were exempted from the ban until further studies are done. Snowmobiles were first introduced into Yellowstone in the early 1970s, and some gateway communities have since come to depend upon the winter revenues generated by snowmobilers. BACK TO TOP
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		GLACIER NATIONAL PARK NEWS News Brief GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, Mont. -- A long-time Glacier employee has died. Kathleen Luding, who for over 30 years managed Sperry Chalet in Glacier National Park, has died at age 85. She was a familiar sight to generations of hikers who made trip to the historic chalet, which could be accessed only by foot or horseback. She was known for her accordian-playing and her story-telling. Luding passed away in Fort Collins, Colorado. BACK TO TOP
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		WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK ON FIRE News Brief SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- A fire in Wind Cave National Park has burned more than 1100 acres, according to spokespersons. The fire was discovered Friday morning in the 29,000 acre national park. It is believed to have been caused by a lightning strike. Eight fire fighting crews and a helicopter are fighting the fire. The park is still open to visitors. Dry conditions across much of the country are causing concern for park managers nationwide. Some observers have noted that the dry summer thus far is reminscient of the conditions that foreshadowed the massive Yellowstone Fires of 1988. BACK TO TOP