Vol 2, # 112

   Wednesday, November 4, 1998

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (NPS) --   On October 7-9, a group of education professionals from twelve different parks, twenty-eight different schools, the National Science Teachers Association, and professional evaluators from Ohio State University met in Yellowstone National Park to participate in a training program for an innovative new educational partnership between the Exxon Corporation, the National Park Foundation (NPF), and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

The program, Parks as Resources for Knowledge in Science (PARKS), was created to advance science education partnerships between National Parks, schools, and local communities. The structure of the PARKS program builds on NSTA’s "Building a Presence for Science," which aims to improve science education and bring science teaching practices in line with the National Science Education Standards.

"Yellowstone’s participation in this program proved to be one of the most valuable experiences of my career," Ellen Petrick-Underwood (park ranger and environmental educational specialist for the park) noted. "In one hour, I gained more insight for pushing science education in Yellowstone to new heights than I have gathered in years of program management. This is truly exciting. The unique combination of funding and professional support provided by this grant is a powerful combination for positive growth and change."

On September 3, 1998, the Exxon Corporation announced a pledge of $1.5 million to the PARKS program to enhance science and environmental education programs. Exxon’s grant, which will be distributed among 36 National Parks over a three-year period, will promote science literacy, provide opportunities for students and teachers to use National Parks as "hands on" learning laboratories, and strengthen students’ understanding of National Park resources.

"It is imperative that we increase young people’s interest and understanding of practical science," said Tony Atkiss, Exxon’s Vice President for Public Affairs. "The National Park Service, together with the National Park Foundation, has an outstanding tradition of developing and supporting innovative educational programs. Exxon’s contribution will help the NPF strengthen the quality and scope of science and environmental education efforts in communities throughout the country."

Throughout the PARKS program’s three-year duration, Ohio State University will conduct ongoing assessments to ensure program effectiveness and to facilitate replications. Upon PARKS’ completion, lessons learned from the program will be published and made available to all 376 NPS units, as well as the education community.

Exxon’s significant commitment to the National Park Foundation will create lasting and beneficial partnerships between communities, schools, and our National Parks," said Jim Maddy, President of the National Park Foundation.

The National Park Foundation is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. Created by Congress in 1967, the Foundation raises support from corporations, foundations, and individuals to preserve and enhance America’s National Parks. Over the past five years, NPF has raised more than $21 million in direct support for the National Parks.

Exxon’s pledge to the NPF is part of the corporation’s ongoing commitment to education. In 1997, Exxon Corporation and the Exxon Education Foundation together provided more than $24 million to support education in the United States.

With more than 53,000 members nationwide, the National Science Teachers Association is America’s largest organization committed to excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. Through conventions, award-winning publications, journals, and professional development opportunities, NSTA keeps science teachers current in teaching, science content, research, and available resources and technology.

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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

BILLINGS, Mont. (YNET) -- I LOVE the Rosie O'Donnell show!

OK, you ask what does this have to do with my People and Places column? Just read on and you will see that it has everything to do with this column.

Rosie has been promoting breast cancer awareness for women for several weeks on her television show.

We at Yellowstone Net want to encourage all women to go for a checkup.

That's it, that's my column.

Stop reading now, go to the phone call your doctor and make an appointment.

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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- Yellowstone officials for years have been striving to keep tabs on the number of large animals in Yellowstone.  Following is a report on the Park's "Winter Expedition of 1894" to count and photograph the number of bison:

"The party consisted of Captain Scott, Lieut. Forsyth, Scott Burgess, Robert Burns, Photographer Haynes, and three non-commissioned officers.  On Norwegian skis, with packs of sleeping bags, provisions and camera, they proceeded directly to the Hayden Valley via Norris and the Grand Canyon.  They found eighty-one buffaloes in the valley, seventy-three in one herd; and numerous groups of elk ...

The second day they discovered the "cache" of a poacher, very much to their surprise.  It consisted of a canvas tepee, sleeping bag, provisions and tobaggan and six buffalo heads suspended in a tree.  A trace of fire in the tepee led them to believe that the poacher was in the vicinity, and to capture him was the next move.  Some five miles from camp they heard five or six rifle shots in rapid succession.  Hastening through the timber to an opening they came directly upon the poacher.  He had driven six of the buffaloes into the deep snow and slaughtered them all.  Fortunately, it was snowing hard, and the approach of the scout was not noticed by the poacher or his dog until the arrest was made.  He was taken to the Lake Hotel and from there to the guard house at Fort Yellowstone.  In addition to the twelve buffaloes that were killed by this poacher a small herd of seven was seen in the Pelican Creek country, making less than 100 in the Park.  Elk were seen in great numbers in the foothills of Mount Washburn, on Specimen Ridge, along the east fork of the Yellowstone, on Slough Creek and the Yellowstone River to Mt. Everts.  Small bands of mountain sheep, deer and antelopes were seen on Mt. Everts.  The open water of the Yellowstone between the lake and falls was alive with ducks and swans.  Red foxes and coyotes were numerous and an occasional black fox and footprints of mountain lines and bears were seen.  The party in about thirty days traveled over 300 miles."

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(ENN) -- A federal judge ruled recently that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has failed to take the necessary steps to protect grizzly bear populations in the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho and northeastern Washington. The grizzly bear was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. A coalition of conservation groups has been petitioning the wildlife agency to increase the bears status to endangered since 1992 because its numbers are on the brink of extinction.

Click here for the full story from Environmental News Network.

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