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MONDAY, SEPT 14, 1998 |
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Volume 2, No 91 | |||
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PARK
WEATHER MORE NEWS The Yellowstone Net Newspaper is published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
ARCHIVES DISCUSSION FORUMS Go to the Yellowstone Net Home Page Send us
your Comments
PUBLISHER EDITOR IN CHIEF CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS
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 This column is based on my interactions with people who have worked
in Yellowstone (or who want to work in the Park). Some of these stories will be the
"behind the scenes" story of why I wrote a particular story in my book. If
you have a story to contribute to this column, email
me. For more information about my book, College Guide to a Summer Job in Yellowstone, click here.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- A great place to shop and eat ice cream is the Lake Hamilton Store. The ice cream in this store is DELICIOUS! Plus according to "THE" Yellowstone ice cream expert (me), the Hamilton Stores ice cream cones are a LOT bigger than the Amfac ice cream stores. So, if you want to buy a Yellowstone souvenir be sure to visit the Lake Hamilton Store. If you want a great tasting ice cream cone you can visit either Hams or Amfac, but if you want a REALLY BIG scoop on your cone then this connoisseur says "Go To Hamilton Stores!"
More Yellowstone Regional News ... News Bites from Around the Region Southwestern Montana experienced a drop in tourism this summer. Some analysts are surmising that the new Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls has changed tourist patterns in the state. Read the full story from the Spokesman-Review. Yellowstone's vegetation is recovering nicely after the fires of 1988. Read the full story from the Deseret News. The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness is celebrating its 20th year. Located on the southeastern border of Yellowstone, the tall mountains and many lakes of the Beartooths are a favorite of many residents of Montana and Wyoming. Read more about the Beartooths from the Billings Gazette. According to the Billings Gazette, fires were raging within seven or eight miles of the Glacier Park Chalet as of the weekend, although the structure was not immediately threatened. Some of the fires in Glacier were being fought, while others were simply being watched. Anticipated cooler weather by mid-week should help the fire-fighting efforts throughout the entire state. Editor-in-Chief Needed Yellowstone Net Newspaper is looking for
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A YNET Weekly Feature
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- Following are summary conclusions of a mail questionnaire survey regarding our nation's national parks. The study took place from February-May of 1998 and was conducted by Colorado State University (CSU). The survey is an insightful look at citizen's views of our national parks. General Conclusions The American public loves our national parks and wants them protected. That belief does not vary by political affiliation or geographic location. Americans, whether or not they have visited the parks, believe that park resources must be protected. There is support for strong resource protection even among those whose only contact with the parks has been vicarious. Protecting parks is a nonpartisan issue. There is no significant difference among Republicans, Democrats, and independents when it comes to park protection. In addition, support for strong park protection measures is similar for Easterners and Westerners. This finding may work to debunk the myth that park lovers are "liberal Eastern environmentalists who don't understand how things are in the West." Park Values Americans understand that while national parks are places we may enjoy today, their most important value is what they will be tomorrow. "Preserving America's most significant places for future generations" is the most important reason given by survey respondents for having national parks: 88% of respondents feel this is "very important." This response was the same as we found in our 1995 CSU survey. Other national park purposes considered "very important" are "protect wildlife habitat" (78%), "preserve natural ecosystems" (73%), "protect air and water quality" (73%), "preserve our country's culture and history" (70%), and "educate people about nature, history, and culture" (69%). Far fewer Americans (49%) see park recreational opportunities as a very important reason for having national parks. Only a fraction (14%) see providing income for the tourist industry as a very important reason for having parks. Park Management People believe that the National Park Service, not Congress or the President, should make decisions regarding the parks. When asked who should make the final decision whether a visitor center or road should be built or whether a specific recreational activity is appropriate for a park, a strong majority (66%) believe that National Park Service managers should make that final decision. Prognosis for the Parks Although Americans love the parks and want them protected, they are not optimistic about their immediate future. A huge majority of Americans (87%) believe it is "very important" that national parks remain the special protected areas they have been in the past. Asked to look 25 years into the future, a majority of Americans (54%) believe that the national parks will be in worse condition than they are today. Limiting Inappropriate Recreational Activities The National Park Service definitely has the American public's support to take the high road in limiting or even banning motorized recreational activities that harm park resources. 92% of Americans believe Jet Skis in national parks should be banned or limited. 89% of Americans believe snowmobiles in national parks should be banned or limited. 87% of Americans believe sightseeing air tours over national parks should be banned or limited. Americans recognize that facilities unrelated to their park visit do not belong within a national park. Appropriate Visitation Levels Overall, a huge majority of Americans are willing to sacrifice their own convenience in order to reduce crowds and protect park resources. 95% say the National Park Service should limit the number of visitors if the number is harming resources. 92% would be willing to leave their cars behind and use a shuttle bus to help ease traffic congestion and protect park resources. 92% would be willing to make a reservation to enter popular parks if reservations would reduce crowding and help protect park resources. Click here to go to the survey web site from the National Parks and Conservation Association.
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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.
