Katmai

https://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katmai_National_Park_and_Preserve Katmai National Park and Preserve is on a peninsula in southern Alaska. Its wild landscapes span tundra, forests, lakes and mountains. The park is known for the many brown bears that are drawn to the abundant salmon in Brooks Falls. Lookout platforms at adjacent Brooks Camp offer close-up views of the bears. The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is an area of lava flows and ash formed by a massive volcanic eruption. A landscape is alive underneath our feet, filled with creatures that remind us what it is to be wild. Katmai was established in 1918 to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Novarupta and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Today, Katmai National Park and Preserve also protects 9,000 years of human history and important habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears. Katmai National Park & Preserve is located on the northern Alaska Peninsula, northwest of Kodiak Island and southwest of Homer, Alaska. The park’s headquarters is in King Salmon, about 290 air miles southwest of Anchorage. Unlike most national parks in the United States, Katmai is almost exclusively accessed by plane or boat. Brooks Camp Visitor Center The Brooks Camp Visitor Center, open June 1 – September 29, is the point of entry for all visitors to Brooks Camp. A park ranger is on duty to provide information, campground check-in, mandatory bear etiquette and safety talks, and backcountry planning. An Alaska Geographic Association (AGA) bookstore offers books, maps, and other Katmai-related items. Brooks Camp is located on the northern Alaska Peninsula, about 30 miles east of King Salmon and about 290 air miles southwest of Anchorage. Unlike most national park visitor centers in the United States, Brooks Camp's visitor center is only accessible by plane or boat. King Salmon Visitor Center Located next door to the King Salmon Airport, the King Salmon Visitor Center provides information on the many federal public lands of Southwest Alaska, particularly those in the Bristol Bay area. A large collection of films is available for viewing and an Alaska Geographic bookstore sells maps, charts, videos, posters, clothing and more. This visitor center is located next to the passenger terminal at the King Salmon Airport. Robert F. Griggs Visitor Center The Robert F. Griggs Visitor Center overlooks the famous Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes and is the starting point of the Ukak Falls Trail. The posted hours are estimated because the visitor center is only open during ranger-led Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes tours. Located 23 miles from Brooks Camp on the only road within Katmai National Park & Preserve. Visitors can participate in a Ranger-led Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Tour where this center is a lunch stop before hiking to the valley floor. Brooks Camp Campground Brooks Camp Campground is the only developed campground in Katmai National Park and Preserve. It is located on the shore of Naknek Lake, about .3 miles (.5 km) from the Brooks Camp Visitor Center. Facilities in the campground include a food cache, gear cache, fuel storage locker, potable water, cooking shelters, fire rings, and vault toilets. The campground is also surrounded by an electric fence. Special regulations apply at Brooks Camp and in the campground. Brooks Camp Campground Fees: June 1 through September 17 18.00 The Brooks Camp Campground costs $18 per person per night June 1 through September 17. America the Beautiful Access and Senior pass holders can enjoy 50% discounts on camping reservations. Please note that fees for this campground are charged per person, not per group. Access and Senior pass discounts only apply to the cardholder. Brooks Camp Campground Fees: May 1-31 and September 18-October 31 10.00 The Brooks Camp Campground costs $10 per person per night in May and September 18 through October 31. America the Beautiful Access and Senior pass holders can enjoy 50% discounts on camping reservations. Please note that fees for this campground are charged per person, not per group. Access and Senior pass discounts only apply to the cardholder. Brooks Camp Campground Fees November 1-April 30 0.00 No fee is charged to stay in the campground from November 1 to April 30. No potable water is available at this time and the electric fence is not maintained. Food and Gear Cache at Brooks Camp Campground building with two doors in forest Brooks Camp Campground has a centrally located building to store food and equipment. cooking shelter in Brooks Camp Campground Adirondack style shelter and fire grate Three shelters in Brooks Camp Campground are designated for eating and cooking. Tent in Brooks Camp Campground Tent in Brooks Camp Campground Brooks Camp Campground is located in a balsam poplar forest. Brooks Camp Campground electric fence gate electric fence with gate for entry Brooks Camp Campground is surrounded by an electric fence to deter bears. Trail to Brooks Camp Campground gravel trail through spruce and birch forest The Brooks Camp Campground is accessed by a narrow trail .3 miles (.5 km) north of the visitor center. Salmon jumping at Brooks Falls salmon jumping at waterfall Each year, 200,000 to 400,000 sockeye salmon jump Brooks Falls. Bear catching jumping salmon Bear standing at the edge of a waterfall while a salmon is leaping towards it. In July, brown bears often stand on the lip of Brooks Falls to try to catch leaping salmon. Bear family walks near sleeping bear Three bears walk near a sleeping bear Salmon streams in Katmai attract high numbers of brown bears. Mount Katmai caldera lake inside of an ash and glacier covered volcano Mount Katmai's summit collapsed during the 1912 Novarupta-Katmai eruption. Today, the caldera is filled with a deep lake. sedge meadows and volcanoes at Hallo meadow in foreground and snow capped volcanoes on the horizon Glacially clad volcanoes loom over the sedge meadows of Hallo Bay Lichen Biodiversity Read the abstract and get the link to an article published in Mycosphere: McCune B, ... Walton J. 2018. Biodiversity and ecology of lichens of Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks and Preserves, Alaska. Mycosphere 9(4):859–930, Doi 10.5943/mycosphere/9/4/10 A box of different lichens. Spatial Correlation of Archeaological Sites and Subsistence Resources in the Gulf of Alaska Discover how a GIS-based analysis of nearly 2,000 coastal archaeology sites demonstrates the strong correlation between seasonally-available marine food and human settlement around the Gulf of Alaska. map of southwest alaska Brooks River Cutbank Project Archeologists often try to stabilize sites to protect them from deterioration, but in many cases erosion cannot be stopped. In Katmai National Park & Preserve on the Alaska Peninsula, across from Kodiak Island, erosion exposed human remains at the Cutbank site. Archeologists and culturally affiliated Alaska Native groups worked together to develop a research design to address questions of mutual interest. They found some surprises. Excavating at Cutbank Southwest Alaska Network Lichen Inventory Southwest Alaska Network Lichen Inventory Subsistence The study of subsistence resources in parks has been a mix of long-term work and projects instigated by issues facing the Federal Subsistence Board. Winter hunting is an important subsistence activity in many Alaska communities and park areas. Science in Wilderness Marine Reserves ANILCA establishes the largest scientific laboratory...ever! A spawning salmon struggles to get back into the water. Bald Eagle Monitoring in Alaska Southwest Alaska's Inventory and Monitoring Network continues to improve bald eagle nest monitoring in NPS lands along the northern Gulf of Alaska. bald eagle flying with fish Monitoring Mussel Populations in Southwest Alaska Parks Mussel are an important food for many marine birds and mammals. Learn more about their populations in southwest Alaskan parks. monitoring mussel beds Tales from the Tides - FOR BIRD'S SAKES! (Science Stories for Kids!) Written for a young audience, this article describes the March 2018 Winter Marine Bird Survey off the coast of Katmai National Park and Preserve. Kids will learn why the research is important, will witness an amazing wildlife encounter experienced by the research team and discover what it's like to be a marine biologist in Alaska. Researchers on a skiff off the coast of Katmai In Celebration of ANILCA Former President, Jimmy Carter, offers a sentimental introduction to the 25th Anniversary Edition of Alaska Park Science and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). Black and white photo of six white men standing in front of an old National Park Service Building. Morale, Welfare and Recreation in WWII National Parks Wartime NPS Director Newton Drury wrote 'In wartime, the best function of these areas is to prove a place to which members of the armed forces and civilians may retire to restore shattered nerves and to recuperate physically and mentally for the war tasks still ahead of them.' During World War II, parks across the United States supported the morale of troops and sought to become places of healing for those returning from war. B&W; soldiers post in front of large tree Cleaning Up Alaska's Beaches Cleanup crews hit the beaches in 5 of Alaska's coastal national parks in 2015 to collect, assess and ultimately remove abandoned and washed up trash. The massive endeavor was part of a larger project aimed at understanding the sources of marine debris and keeping it out of the ocean and off of Alaska's beaches. NPS staff and volunteers with bags of trash collected off beach. A History of Science in Alaska's National Parks National park units in Alaska precede the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916. The first park unit, Sitka National Monument, was conceived in 1908, and by the mid-1920s four national monuments along with Alaska’s first national park were part of the growing park system. Discover how the early 1900s and observations of a few helped to establish the National Park Service in Alaska. Black and white photo of Arno Cammerer sitting at his desk looking through papers. Old is Getting Older In the last 25 years, persistent archaeological survey and improved scientific techniques have resulted in new data which confirms that Alaska sites are actually much earlier than we once believed. NPS archaeologist works at Amakomanak site in Noatak National Preserve. A Partnership to Remove Marine Debris from Alaskan Coastal Parks Marine debris can affect marine mammals and birds through entanglement, strangulation, and digestive blockage. In summer 2015, we conducted an extensive multi-partner project to remove over 11 tons of marine debris from remote beaches in five Alaska parks. park rangers putting trash into white plastic bags on a rocky beach An Overview of the Changing Tides Research Project Southwest Alaska’s coastal brown bears are the largest of their kind in the world, deriving much of their bulk from the abundant salmon resources that pulse into the rivers from the sea each summer. Bears also use intertidal resources such as clams and mussels. Along the shores of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and Katmai National Park and Preserve, bears spend hours in the mudflats digging, chomping, slurping, and digging again. a brown bear pawing at a clam on a beach PARKS...IN...SPAAAACE!!! NASA astronauts have quite literally an out-of-this-world view of national parks and take some pretty stellar pictures to share. Travel along with the space station on its journey west to east getting the extreme bird’s eye view of national parks across the country. And one more down-to-earth. View of Denali National Park & Preserve from space Black-Capped Chickadee Black-capped chickadees and boreal chickadees are tiny but tough songbirds that are year-round residents in many parts of Alaska. Mussel Abundance in the Gulf of Alaska Read the abstract and get the link to a paer published in Oceanopgraphy. Bodkin, J. L., H. A. Coletti, B. E. Ballachey, D. H. Monson, D. Esler, and T. A. Dean. 2017. Variation in abundance of Pacific blue mussel (Mytilus trossulus) in the northern Gulf of Alaska, 2006-2015. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography. DOI: 10.1016/j. dsr2.2017.04.008. A cluster of mussels in the intetidal zone. Intertidal Mapping Using Unmanned Aircraft 2018 Resource brief on intertidal zone mapping in southwest Alaska using a small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS). A researcher operating a UAS along the coast. Changing Tides: April 2016 Recap The Changing Tides project is a three-year study examining the link between the marine and terrestrial environments, specifically between coastal brown bears, clams and mussels, and people. It is a cooperative project of the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Sealife Center, and Washington State University. Preliminary data from the summer of 2015 creates more questions to study. A researcher looking through a scope on the beach. Tree Rings Reveal Drought Stress Read the abstract and get the link to the article published in Ecological Applications: Csank, A. Z., A. E. Miller, R. L. Sherriff, E. E. Berg, and J. M. Welker. 2016. Tree-ring isotopes reveal drought sensitivity in trees killed by spruce beetle outbreaks in southcentral Alaska. Ecological Applications 26:2001-2020. A researcher bores a core from a tree. Bristol Bay Canneries The Yup’ik, Alutiiq, and Dena’ina subsisted off the salmon runs in this area for 9,000 years. Bristol Bay had a high concentration of canneries due to this high volume of salmon. The Arctic Packing Company constructed the first saltery in Bristol Bay at Kahulik in 1883, and the competitive market created a culture than altered the region forever. Native Alaskan populations were exposed to disease, and overfishing threatened subsistence lifestyles of Dena’ina people upstream. Black and white photo: Boats move between chunks of ice floating on the water's surface Kukak Bay Cannery The Kukak Bay Cannery ruins are located in a glacially carved fjord. The historical archeological district in Katmai National Park & Preserve is surrounded by three hills and a rocky shoreline. The first cannery at the site was constructed in 1922 by the Hemrich Packing Company to can razor clams. In 1980, after the passing of Alaska National Lands Interest Conservation Act (ANILCA), this area of coastline was designated wilderness, ending further use as a cannery. View over the bow of a boat on water to a collection of buildings on the shore Volcanic Hazards in Alaska’s National Parks There are over 100 volcanoes in Alaska, 54 of which are considered historically active, and 14 are found in Alaska national parks, preserves, and monuments. The Alaska Volcano Observatory monitors and conducts research on volcanoes in Alaska in order to better understand volcanic processes and determine the likelihood of future volcanic hazards, with a primary goal of informing the public about volcanic hazards and impending volcanic activity. Alaska Park Science 18(1), 2019. A snow covered volcanic peak. Marine Bird and Mammal Surveys 2018 Resource brief about marine bird monitoring in Southwest Alaska parks. people in boat Aurora Borealis: A Brief Overview A brief overview of how Northern Lights occur. two ribbons of greenish light in a dark blue sky, over a very dark forest Practice Safe Bear Spray Use Proper behavior in bear country and understanding bear behavior can help to avoid dangerous situations for people and bears. Bear spray should be used as a last line of defense when dealing with bears- not immediately upon seeing one. This introduction will help cover bear behaviors as well as safe use of bear pepper spray. A black bear stands on a wooden bench. Small Mammals as Indicators of Climate, Biodiversity, and Ecosystem Change This is a time of rapid environmental changes in Alaska. Species that have evolved within tundra habitats over multiple glacial cycles are not only best adapted to high-latitude and high-elevation environments, but may also respond more slowly to change. Studies of small mammal communities could provide valuable insights to larger ecosystem changes. two marmots perched atop a large boulder NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alaska Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. [Site Under Development] mountain peak POET Newsletter March 2013 Pacific Ocean Education Team (POET) newsletter from March 2013. Articles include: The Japan Tsunami Marine Debris Summary; Restoring "Plastic Beach" Back to Kamilo Point; Coming to a Beach Near You; and An Unexpected Visitor. dock on beach Sea Star Wasting Disease in Southwest Alaska 2018 Resource brief update on sea star wasting disease in southwest Alaska parks. diseased sea star Sea Otter Monitoring in Southwest Alaska 2018 Resource brief on sea otter monitoring. Sea otters are known as a keystone species, and sea otters dramatically affect the structure and complexity of their environment. Sea otter populations and other nearshore components are monitored in southwest Alaskan parks. sea otter in water Black Oystercatcher Monitoring 2018 Resource brief with findings from black oystercatcher monitoring in southwest Alaska. black oystercatcher Growing Season Dynamics 2018 Resource brief of how growing season dynamics are changing in southwest Alaska. Two bear cubs play in a coastal meadow. Bat Projects in Parks: Alaska Region Parks Bats in Alaska? Find out! A scenic view of Alaska, mountains in the distance and a grizzly in front of a lake in the front. National Park Getaway: Katmai National Park & Preserve On the northern end of the Alaska Peninsula, there's a place with a moonscape caused by a cataclysmic volcanic eruption. There's a place where sockeye salmon decorate streams with their ruby red bodies during the spawn. There's a place where brown bears out number people. This same place has been a home to humans for 9,000 years: Katmai National Park and Preserve. Three large brown bears hunched in tall grass Winter Marine Bird Survey - Part II Part 2 of "When the Birding Gets Tough," a personal account of the 2018 Winter Marine Bird Survey in Katmai National Park and Preserve. Photo USFWS/L. Whitehouse Steller's eiders Winter Marine Bird Survey - Part I Part one of "When the Birding Gets Tough," a personal account of the 2018 Katmai Winter Marine Bird Survey as told by a newcomer to Alaska and the rigors of research in Alaska's capricious coastal areas. Emperor geese on a rock Water Quality Practitioner's Guide Read the abstract and find the link to the article published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment: Sergeant, C. J., E. N. Starkey, K. K. Bartz, M. H. Wilson, and F. J. Mueter. 2016. A practitioner’s guide for exploring water quality patterns using Principal Components Analysis and Procrustes. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 188(4):1-15. Researchers collecting water quality data. Economics of Wilderness: Contribution of Alaska Parks and Wilderness to the Alaska Economy Looking ahead, it is clear that Alaska’s wilderness ecosystems will become increasingly valuable assets in a crowded urban world. If Alaska’s wild lands, wildlife, and ecological integrity are cared for with respect, the contribution of wilderness and conservation lands to the Alaska economy and to people everywhere will be significant, positive, increasing, and enduring. a large cruise ship on the ocean with snowy mountains in the distance The Great Eruption of 1912 Home of the largest volcanic eruption in the history of North America, Novarupta, The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, and the Katmai volcanoes have been an open-air laboratory since shortly after the 1912 eruption. Volcanological studies here have shaped how geologists think about explosive eruptions and continue to provide insights into a wide range of aspects about how volcanoes work. aerial view of a crater lake in a snowy, mountainous landscape Water Quality in Southwest Alaska 2020 Resource brief on water quality monitoring conducted by the Southwest Alaska Network. Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves were created, in part, to protect high-quality habitat for salmon. Cold water is a key habitat requirement, but exactly how cold depends on the salmon species, population, and life stage. A researcher collects water quality data. Air Quality in Southwest Alaska 2020 Resource Brief on air quality monitoring conducted in Katmai National Park and Preserve by the Southwest Alaska Network.High-elevation lakes are sensitive to the effects of nutrient enrichment and acidification from atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and sulfur. Weather station at Katmai National Park and Preserve. Southwest Alaska Salt Marshes 2020 Resource brief on monitoring salt marshes in southwest Alaska. Coastal marsh habitats are heavily used by wildlife, migratory birds, and park visitors. They provide valuable ecosystem services, among them critical habitat for brown bears and migratory birds. These marshes are dynamic systems, sensitive to many influences, including warming temperatures, storms, tectonic uplift, development-related activities, and increased visitation. Researchers collect vegetation data in a salt marsh on the Katmai coast. Water Quantity Monitoring in Southwest Alaska 2020 Resource brief on water quantity monitoring at Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves conducted by the Southwest Alaska Network. Hydrology and geology are the two principle drivers that dictate the structure and function of all aquatic systems. In the broadest sense, hydrology encompasses the distribution and movement of water and its interactions with the surrounding environment, whether in the ground, on the landscape, or in the atmosphere. A researcher collects water quantity data. Lake Ice Monitoring 2020 Resource brief on lake ice monitoring (seasonal processes). Lake ice cover is a key component of Alaska ecosystems because it influences the physical processes, chemical processes, and biological productivity of the region’s lakes and the wellbeing of communities that depend on them. Global climate models indicate the climate is warming more rapidly at higher latitudes than it is closer to the equator. Ice just starting to form on a lake, surrounded by snowymountains. Monitoring Razor Clams as an Indicator of Nearshore Ecosystem Health Read the abstract and get the link to a recently published article on how razor clams may be used as indicators of nearshore ecosystem health: Bowen, L., K. L.Counihan, B. Ballachey, H. A. Coletti, T. Hollmen, B. Pister, and T. L. Wilson. 2020. Monitoring nearshore ecosystem health using Pacific razor clams (Siliqua patula) as an indicator species. PeerJ 8:e8761. A bear eats a razor clam at the waters edge. Larger Brown Bear Sows are More Successful in Rearing Cubs Read the abstract and get the link to a new article looking at Alaska brown bear cub recruitment across four populations: Hilderbrand, G. V., D. D. Gustine, K. Joly, B. Mangipane, W. Leacock, M. D. Cameron, M. S. Sorum, L. S. Mangipane, and J. A. Erlenbach. 2019. Influence of maternal body size, condition, and age on recruitment of four brown bear populations. Ursus 29(2): 111-118. A brown bear sow and four cubs. Zooarcheology of a 3,500-year-old Fishery on the Katmai Coast Zooarcheology—the study of animal remains from archeological sites—reveals more than just a list of food items, it tells us how our natural surroundings and our climate have changed over time, how past peoples sustained their resources or over-harvested them, how our technology has advanced to allow our survival, how we relate to animals and each other, and how some things have remained the same. Alaska Park Science 19(1):2020. An archaeological site on a beautiful bay. Salmon Monitoring in Southwest Alaska 2020 Resource brief of salmon monitoring in Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves conducted by the Southwest Alaska Network. Sockeye salmon are an important cultural, economic, and ecological resource in Alaska, particularly in the Bristol Bay region of southwest Alaska. Each year, up to 60 million sockeye salmon migrate back to Bristol Bay to spawn and 60-75% of these returning adults are harvested by commercial fisheries. Spawning salmon in turquoise water. Volcanic Ash Resuspension from the Katmai Region Volcanic ash is not only a hazard during an eruptive event; in strong winds, previously deposited volcanic ash can be reincorporated into dust clouds. Resuspension and transport of fine-grained volcanic ash from Katmai National Park and Preserve has been observed and documented many times over the past several decades and has likely been occurring since the 1912 Novarupta-Katmai eruption, the largest 20th century eruption in the world. Alaska Park Science 18(1):2019. An annotated map showing the Katmai area and volcanic features. Collared Pika Collared pikas are small mammals within the same order as rabbits and hares, and they resemble small rabbits with very short ears and small limbs. Adapted to thrive at high elevations in Alaska, their habitat is at risk -- climate change may drastically change the fragile environment in which they live. tiny gray rabbit-like creature sitting on a rock Arctic Ground Squirrel The largest of the North American ground squirrels, arctic ground squirrels are burrowing rodents that resemble prairie dogs, with small ears, a flat tail, and a white-spotted back. They are very common throughout much of Denali and live mainly in the alpine tundra. two ground squirrels Drivers of Mercury in Top-predator Lake Fish from Southwest Alaska Parklands Some resident lake fish sampled from southwest Alaska parks have elevated concentrations of mercury (mostly methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin and endocrine disrupter). Why do these fish —that inhabit some of the most remote and supposedly pristine waters in North America—have such elevated mercury levels? Answering this question requires an understanding of mercury cycling, or the processes by which mercury moves through the environment. Alaska Park Science 19(1):2020. Lake trout in a net underwater. Weather and Climate in Southwest Alaska 2020 Resource brief on weather and climate in southwest Alaska parks. Weather and climate are key physical drivers of ecosystem structure and function. Global climate models indicate that climate change and variability is occurring more rapidly and amplified at higher latitudes. A weather station in Kenai Fjords National Park. Freshwater Contaminants in Southwest Alaska Parks 2020 Resource brief on freshwater contaminant monitoring in Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves conducted by the Southwest Alaska Network. Mercury is a toxic element with no known essential biological function. It occurs naturally as a solid in various minerals and as a gas in volcanic eruptions. In fish, methylmercury both bioaccumulates and biomagnifies, meaning it increases over time within an individual and it increases up the food chain across individuals. Lake trout in a net. Hoary Marmot Hoary marmots are large rodents that live mainly in alpine areas. Their loud, clear warning calls are a common sound in mountainous regions. closeup of a marmot baby Magnetic Detection of Archaeological Hearths in Alaska Read the abstract and link to a recent article on archaeological research using magnetic detection of hearths: Urban, Thomas M., Jeffrey T. Rasic, Claire Alix, Douglas D. Anderson, Linda Chisholm, Robert W. Jacob, Sturt W. Manning, Owen K.Mason, Andrew H. Tremayne, Dale Vinson (2019). Magnetic detection of archaeological hearths in Alaska: A tool for investigating the full span of human presence at the gateway to North America. Quaternary Science Reviews 211: 73-92. An archaeologist searches for hearths using a magetometer Improving Mussel Monitoring Read the abstract and get a link to a peer-reviewed published article on using mussel gene transcription and physiological assays to monitor nearshore environmental conditions: Counihan, K., L. Bowen, B. Ballachey, H. Coletti, T. Hollmen, B. Pister, and T. L. Wilson. 2019. Physiological and gene transcription assays to assess responses of mussels to environmental changes. PeerJ 7:e7800 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7800 A researcher holds mussels from a nearshore monitoring plot. Harmful Algal Toxins in Alaska's Seabirds and Marine Mammals Seabirds and marine mammals along Alaska's coastline have been experiencing unusually large and consistent die-offs for the past several years, in conjunction with warming ocean temperatures. Researchers want to know if harmful algal blooms, typically associated with warmer climates, are playing a role in these deaths. A researcher examines a dead glaucus gull on a beach. Southwest Alaska Lichen Inventory 2020 Resource brief on the lichen inventory conducted by the Southwest Alaska Network in Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves and in Kenai Fjords National Park. Over 700 previously undocumented lichen taxa are now recognized across southwestern Alaska parks, representing the largest survey of its kind in the region, as well as one of the largest and most comprehensive lichen inventories in Alaska. Researchers examining lichens in the field. Insect Outbreaks in Southwest Alaska 2020 Resource brief on insect outbreaks in Southwest Alaska. Over the last quarter century, the spruce beetle and a suite of other insect pests have caused extensive damage in the forests of southcentral Alaska. Long-term forest monitoring and tree-ring studies are helping us to better understand the timing, frequency, and ecological effects of these outbreaks. Spruce aphids on spruce needles. Visitor Use 2021 Resource Brief of visitor use at Katmai and Lake Clark national parks and preserves. Understanding visitor use patterns across the parks and over time allows park managers to assess where rangers and staff need to be stationed and where impacts to resources (such as trampling) may need to be monitored or mitigated in the future. Visitors watching bears at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve. Refining the Analysis of Hair Samples Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on how bear hair is used to determine diet and how the method of using hair to determine diet is refined to detect seasonal variation. Rogers, M. C., G. V. Hilderbrand, D. D. Gustine, K. Joly, W. B. Lealock, B. A. Mangipane, and J. M. Welker. 2020. Splitting hairs: Dietary niche breadth modelling using stable isotope analysis of a sequentially grown tissue. Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies. A close look at bear fur. Prey Pulses in a Marine Environment Forage fish serve an important role in our marine environment; these fish serve as prey for many fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. whale fluke in water Looking Back—A Heady Time for National Park Service Science in Alaska Spurred by Alaska gaining statehood and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), the 1970s saw a spurt of scientific activity that gave experienced Alaska investigators additional access to remote field study sites and introduced investigators new to Alaska to exciting and challenging opportunities for conducting field study in remote places. mist on forested mountains Research Project: Brown Bear Tracking Although remote, the Alaska Peninsula is still vulnerable to natural and human-caused disturbances. These disturbances could affect the amount of food available for brown bears. As part of a larger project looking at the nearshore environment of the peninsula, biologists will outfit 12 bears with GPS collars, to track their movements between different habitats, and conduct direct observations on these bears to collect data on their foraging behavior. bear and cub digging in mud Coastal Research - Spring 2016 Update For the second consecutive summer, researchers are putting GPS collars on coastal bears in Katmai as part of the Changing Tides project. The May 2016 collaring effort was a great success, with near-perfect weather aiding in the outfitting of ten bears with GPS collars. large brown bear carrying a salmon in its mouth Changing Tides: August 2015 Update Several months into the Changing Tides project, scientists are beginning to see patterns in the foraging movements of collared bears along Katmai's coast. The bears being studied gained significant weight already, even before salmon runs had reached area streams. Data like this will help scientists analyze just how important invertebrates like mussels and clams are to grizzly bear health and their success raising cubs. woman in an orange rain jacket kneeling on a beach near a dozen clams Brown Bear Research Project: July 2015 Update By tracking the movements of bears and assessing body composition, biologists can examine their use of different foraging areas and the importance of different food to overall bear health and survival. This July 2015 update explores the first steps taken in the "Changing Tides" project. map of a coastline with numerous dots near the shore Changing Tides: Intertidal Invertebrates, Bears, and People Clams and other intertidal invertebrates are important early season forage for coastal brown bears along the Alaska Peninsula. A 2015 study will expand on this knowledge through a variety of projects. Working with park partners, park researchers will evaluate the impacts of changing ocean conditions on intertidal communities, gaining valuable insight for long-term preservation of this dynamic nearshore connection. bear and cub Changing Tides: 2016 Midseason Update Highlights from this year's study so far include taking tissue samples from bivalves (e.g., clams), assessing bear health and discovering with a camera trap that bears may be actively predating upon otters! two people digging in a sandy beach Changing Tides: Bear Researcher Videos Check out videos documenting parts of the Changing Tides research project! large brown bear and a cub digging in sand near a gull A Decade of Bald Eagle Surveys in Southwest Alaska Parks 2020 Resource brief on ten years of monitoring data for bald eagles in southwest Alaska parks and the use of the Delphi technique to evaluate monitoring methods going forward. A mature bald eagle perched on a log on the beach. Conserving pinnipeds in Pacific Ocean parks in response to climate change The evolutionary record from previous climate perturbations indicates that marine mammals are highly vulnerable but also remarkably adaptable to climatic change in coastal ecosystems. Consequently, national parks in the Pacific, from Alaska to Hawaii, are faced with potentially dramatic changes in their marine mammal fauna, especially pinnipeds (seals and sea lions). black harbor seal Alaska brown bears exposure to bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens Read the abstract and get the link to a new article on pathogens found in Alaska brown bears published in the Journal of Wildlife Disease: Ramey, A. M., C. A. Cleveland, G. V. Hilderbrand, K. Joly, D. D. Gustine, B. Mangipane, W. B. Leacock, A. P. Crupi, D. E. Hill, J. P. Dubey, and M. J. Yabsley. In press. Exposure of Alaska brown bears (Ursus arctos) to bacterial, viral, and parasitic agents varies spatiotemporally and may be influenced by age. A bear perched on a rock outcrop The Role of the Diamond NN Cannery in Interpreting the History of the Naknek River Fishery The NN Cannery was one of the longest-running canneries. It employed hundreds of residents and thousands of transient workers who produced more canned salmon than any cannery in Alaska. Contained in its century-old buildings are stories of the historical manifestations of capitalism, incorporation, industrialization, immigration, world wars, global pandemics, statehood, resource management, unionization, segregation, and equal rights. Alaska Park Science 19(1):2020. An aerial view of the Diamond NN Cannery on the NakNek River. National Park Service Commemoration of the 19th Amendment In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment the National Park Service has developed a number of special programs. This includes online content, exhibits, and special events. The National Park Service’s Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems (CRGIS) announces the release of a story map that highlights some of these programs and provides information for the public to locate and participate. Opening slide of the 19th Amendment NPS Commemoration Story Map Alaska Aviation Safety In Alaska, small planes are often the best way to get around but flying has its risks. Aviation safety requires more than just a pilot’s skill–it takes all of us. Learn more about aviation to increase the safety of your next park flight. An NPS pilot in a plane cockpit flying over a turquoise lake Lake Temperature Trends Water temperatures are warming in southwest Alaska lakes--at the surface and even going deeper in the water column. Learn more about water temperature trends over time. Researchers collecting water data in a mountain lake. The 19th Amendment, Elizabeth Peratrovich, and the Ongoing Fight for Equal Rights In Alaska, women's suffrage passed in 1913—seven years prior to the 19th Amendment—and antidiscrimination legislation passed nearly 20 years prior to the major national civil rights bills of the 1960s. In the 1940s, Elizabeth Peratrovich—a Tlingit woman who was Grand President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood—led the charge to end discrimination against Alaska Natives. gold coin of a raven, a woman's face, and words elizabeth peratrovich anti-discrimination law Series: Alaska Park Science - Volume 16 Issue: Science in Alaska's Arctic Parks The National Park Service manages five parks that fall partially or entirely within the Arctic tundra biome. These five parks encompass 19.3 million acres of land and constitute approximately 25% of the land area managed by the National Park Service nationwide. These are undeveloped places, with free-flowing rivers and wilderness at a massive scale. a group of muskox running across a field Series: Changing Tides Articles Browse articles related to the Changing Tides project. This is a research study in Southwest Alaska exploring the connections between coastal brown bears, invertebrates like clams and mussels, and what influence human activities have on bear ecology. a large brown bear and cub digging in a sandy beach near a gull Series: Alaska Park Science - Volume 13 Issue 1: Wilderness in Alaska This issue includes: * Economics of Wilderness * Using Ethics Arguments to Preserve Naturalness * Busing Through the Wilderness: "Near-Wilderness" Experiences in Denali ... and more! mountains reflecting into a calm lake, the words 'alaska park science' Series: Alaska Park Science - Volume 15 Issue 1: Coastal Research Science in Alaska's National Parks This issue focuses on studies occurring in coastal areas throughout national parks in Alaska. Articles include a variety of studies on arctic coastal lagoons, background on a large research project studying coastal brown bears, and more. a brown bear investigating a clam on a beach Series: The Legacy of ANILCA The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act impacts the National Park Service in many ways. ANILCA stipulates the designation of wilderness, subsistence management, transportation in and across parklands, use of cabins, mining, archaeological sites, scientific research studies and more. Two men drag a harvest seal from icy blue waters across frozen ice. Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Cenozoic Era The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths. fossils on display at a visitor center Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Mesozoic Era The Mesozoic Era (251.9 to 66 million years ago) was the "Age of Reptiles." During the Mesozoic, Pangaea began separating into the modern continents, and the modern Rocky Mountains rose. Dinosaurs, crocodiles, and pterosaurs ruled the land and air. As climate changed and rapid plate tectonics resulted in shallow ocean basins, sea levels rose world-wide and seas expanded across the center of North America. fossil dinosaur skull in rock face Series: Copper River Basin Symposium - Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve February 2020: With a theme of Tradition, Science, and Stewardship, the two-day symposium included keynote speakers, 26 short presentations, and a poster session. A panel discussion delved into opportunities in working with indigenous communities. Ahtna elders provided wisdom in daily welcomes, and there was a presentation by Copper River Stewardship Youth. Topics ranged widely from fisheries to archaeology to geology. As well as sharing knowledge, participants shared meals, stories, and ideas. Copper River Basin Symposium logo by Lindsay and Elvie Series: Alaska Park Science - Volume 19, Issue 1 - Below the Surface: Fish and Our Changing Underwater World Alaska has over three million lakes, 12,000 rivers, and an estimated 6,640 miles of ocean coastline. Below the surface swim some of the world’s most abundant, healthy, all-wild fish, including salmon, halibut, and eulachon. Fish sustained Alaska Natives for millennia and continue to represent food and economic security for many people. Alaska Park Science 19(1): 2020 Red-colored salmon swim in turquoise water. Series: Alaska Park Science, Volume 18, Issue 1, Understanding and Preparing for Alaska's Geohazards Alaska is the most geologically active part of North America. Much of the awe-inspiring landscapes of Alaska's parks are created by geologic processes. But sometimes, these processes can be hazardous. This issue explores the state of the science to understand geohazards in Alaska national parks. Alaska Park Science 18(1): 2019. A man jumps down a dune of volcanic ash. Series: Canneries of Alaska Canneries were built in response to the environment. This series is a summary of some of Alaska's canneries and the landscape features that defined where and how they developed. The overall period of significance for canneries in Alaska begins in 1878, when the first two canneries opened, and ends in 1936, when salmon production peaked. While some of these canneries no longer exist, the landscapes continue to tell of the history and importance of that period in the commercial fishing industry. Warehouse-type buildings cluster on wooden piers along a shoreline, as seen from the water. Series: Alaska Park Science - Volume 14 Issue 2: Birds of Alaska's National Parks This issue includes articles exploring birds throughout national parks in Alaska. Particular emphasis is on the changing ways to study birds, and the increasing importance not just on the summer homes of birds in Alaska, but the routes between their wintering and summer breeding grounds. a great horned own and two large owlets in a nest Series: Alaska Park Science - Volume 11 Issue 1: Volcanoes of Katmai and the Alaska Peninsula This issue is all about volcanoes! Learn more about the landscape of Katmai and the Alaska Peninsula and its remarkable history. cover of the issue featuring a river that has cut through rock with mountains behind Series: Alaska Park Science - Volume 11 Issue 2: Science in Southwest Alaska In this issue: * Invasive Species Management * Salmon in a Volcanic Landscape * Archiving Bird Data * and more! cover of Alaska Park Science volume featuring a close-up image of an orange flower Cretaceous Period—145.0 to 66.0 MYA Many now-arid western parks, including Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Mesa Verde National Park, were inundated by the Cretaceous Interior Seaway that bisected North America. Massive dinosaur and other reptile fossils are found in Cretaceous rocks of Big Bend National Park. dinosaur footprint in stone Jurassic Period—201.3 to 145.0 MYA Dinosaur National Monument is home to thousands of dinosaur fossils making it a true “Jurassic Park.” A vast desert covered Southwest North America in the Jurassic, and ancient sand dunes now form tall cliffs in many parks including Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. dinosaur skull in rock face Quaternary Period—2.58 MYA to Today Massive ice sheets advanced and retreated across North America during much of the Quaternary, carving landscapes in many parks. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve contains geologic evidence of lower sea level during glacial periods, facilitating the prehistoric peopling of the Americas. The youngest rocks in the NPS include the lava of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the travertine at Yellowstone National Park, which can be just a few hours old. fossil bone bed and murals of mammoths Mesozoic Era The Mesozoic Era (251.9 to 66 million years ago) was the "Age of Reptiles." During the Mesozoic, Pangaea began separating into the modern continents, and the modern Rocky Mountains rose. Dinosaurs, crocodiles, and pterosaurs ruled the land and air. As climate changed and rapid plate tectonics resulted in shallow ocean basins, sea levels rose world-wide and seas expanded across the center of North America. fossil dinosaur skull in rock face Cenozoic Era The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths. fossils on display in a visitor center Unmanned Aerial Systems as a Tool for Natural Resource Applications The use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is rapidly expanding as a tool for resource management. Employing UAS to collect data can result in more accurate mapping, decreased cost, and increased personnel safety. Applications of UAS in Alaska parks are demonstrating the benefits and defining best practices for its continued and enhanced use. Alaska Park Science 20(1), 2021 A man in orange waders operates a UAS on a rocky coast. Making Sound Decisions Using Bioacoustics in Alaska’s National Parks Animals are continuously immersed in acoustic signals. Acoustic recording devices allow us to extend our sense of hearing to remote places, times, and even frequencies we normally cannot access. By studying the sounds animals make, and the sounds in their environment, we can better understand their conservation needs. Presented here are examples from bats, birds, frogs, and whales. Alaska Park Science 20(1), 2021 A man sets up acoustic recording equipment in the backcountry. Series: Alaska Park Science Volume 20 Issue 1 - Parks as Proving Grounds Parks in Alaska pose special challenges to researchers: they are large, remote, and less is known about them. This makes it all the more important that tools and techniques we use here are practical, effective, and impactful. While researchers often focus on sharing the findings from their work, here we shine a light on the devices and approaches used by researchers with attention to the innovation needed to work in Alaska. Alaska Park Science 20 (1), 2021 A scientist uses a probe on the top of a mountain. Plan Like a Park Ranger: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Katmai Planning a visit to Katmai National Park? Check out our top 10 tips and plan like a park ranger. A sow and cubs resting on a trail Bumble Bees of Alaska: A Field Guide This field guide to bumble bees will help you identify these abundant and conspicuous pollinators, which are found across most of Alaska. They are well-adapted to cold, harsh climates and live in every habitat where there are flowers offering up pollen and nectar, including forests, shrublands, tundra, wetlands, riparian areas, beaches, and gardens. a bumble bee perched on tiny pink flowers Series: Pacific Ocean Education Team (POET) Newsletters From 2009 to 2015, the Pacific Ocean Education Team published a series of short newsletters about the health of the ocean at various National Park Service sites in and around the Pacific Ocean. Topics covered included the 2010 tsunami, marine debris, sea star wasting disease, ocean acidification, and more. Ocean waves wash in from the right onto a forested and rocky shoreline. POET Newsletter Summer 2010 Pacific Ocean Education Team (POET) newsletter from Winter 2009. Articles include: Stewardship Without Boundaries: Conserving Our Ocean Ecosystem from Baja to the Bering Sea; A Seamless Network of Parks, Sanctuaries, Refuges & Reserves; Life Entwined with the Sea: The Non-Coastal Park Connection; Take the Plunge into Ocean Stewardship; Nearshore Vertebrates in Four Hawaii Parks; and Ocean Stewardship: A Commitment to Collaboration. Sea stacks rise above ocean waves washing ashore. A wooded ridge rises in the distance. Volcanic Processes—Lahars Lahars are volcanic mudflows and are among the most destructive of volcanic phenomena. Lahars present significant geohazards since they can travel great distances down river valleys and impact population centers away from the immediate area of a volcano. wide river valley filled with sediment and snowy peaks in the distance Magmatic Eruptions Magmatic eruptions include fresh lava or tephra from a magma source. Magmatic eruptions range from quiet effusions of lava to extremely explosive eruptions that can blow apart mountains and send ash clouds around the globe. volcanic eruption with glowing lava seen at night Phreatic Eruptions Phreatic eruptions are steam explosions and do not include any fresh lava. Any ash erupted is made up of shattered rock. volcanic eruption seen from a distance Series: Volcanic Eruption Types The most fundamental way to characterize a volcanic eruption is whether it is magmatic, phreatic, or phreatomagmatic. volcanic eruption seen at a distance Plinian Eruptions Plinian eruptions are more intense than Sub-Plinean eruptions. Eruption columns may extend into the stratosphere and spread out in an umbrella shape and produce widespread ash deposits. Pyroclastic flows and lahars also occur during these eruptions. black and white photo May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption Vulcanian Eruptions Vulcanian eruptions are intermittent and characterized by explosive bursts that create dark eruption columns that rise to moderate heights. volcanic ash eruption Volcanic Vents A volcanic vent is the opening where eruptions occur. Lava, tephra (volcanic ash, lapilli, or bombs), fragmented rock, and/or volcanic gases may be emitted. Vents may be located at the summit or flanks of a volcano and may exist as elongated fissures. erupting lava Crater Lakes Water lakes may exist in craters and calderas (large collapse features) as these depressions can become filled by rainwater or melting snow or ice, or be places where groundwater can accumulate at the surface. Crater lakes can be long-lived or ephemeral, and may contain fresh or acidic waters. crater lake and snowy rim Katmai National Park and Preserve Wilderness Character Narrative A land of unpredictable contrasts, Katmai is known for its plentiful wildlife, harsh weather, dramatic geologic processes, and remoteness. The Katmai Wilderness is a dynamic, remote, and challenging land of spectacular scenic beauty. The Katmai Wilderness contains fascinating scientific, geologic, cultural, and biological features and preserves a 9,000-year-old record of human adaptation to this changing environment and ecology that continues today. Valley of 10,000 smokes in Katmai National Park and Preserve. Fumaroles Fumaroles are places where steam and volcanic gases are emitted. They are present on most active volcanoes. The occurrence of fumaroles and other geothermal features such as hot springs, geysers, and mud pots are important signs that a volcano is active. steam vents on the crater rim Composite Volcanoes (Stratovolcanoes) Composite volcanoes are made up of both lava flows and pyroclastic deposits and usually experience multiple eruptions over long periods of time. Mount Rainier is a composite volcano. photo of a snow covered volcanic peak Volcanic Domes Lava domes are steep-sided rounded accumulations of highly viscous silicic lava over a vent. Some domes are part of composite volcanoes, but large ones can make up their own volcanoes. Lassen Peak is a dome. photo of a rounded hill of blocky rock Cinder Cones Cinder cones are typically simple volcanoes that consist of accumulations of ash and cinders around a vent. Sunset Crater Volcano and Capulin Volcano are cinder cones. photo of a dry grassy field with a cinder cone in the distance Series: Volcanic Features Volcanoes vary greatly in size and shape. Volcanoes also may have a variety of other features, which in turn, have a great range in diversity of form, size, shape, and permanence. Many volcanoes have craters at their summits and/or at the location of other vents. Some craters contain water lakes. Lakes of molten or solidified lava may exist on some volcanoes. Fumaroles and other geothermal features are a product of heat from magma reservoirs and volcanic gases. photo of a lava lake in a summit crater How does mercury reach pristine lakes? Read a summary and the abstract of a peer-reviewed paper on monitoring lake trout in Alaska lakes to understand mercury inputs: Lepak, R. F., J. M. Ogorek, K. K. Bartz, S. E. Janssen, M. T. Tate, Y. Runsheng, J. P. Hurley, D. B. Young, C. A. Eagles-Smith, and D. P. Krabbenhoft. 2022. Using carbon, nitrogen, and mercury isotope values to distinguish mercury sources to Alaskan lake trout. Environmental Science and Technology Letters. Lake trout in spawning colors. What we can learn from a bear's stomach Read the abstract and get the link to an article that looks at the diversity of bear gut microbiomes and how they differ across Alaska. Trujillo, S. M., E. A. McKenney, G. V. Hilderbrand, L. S. Mangipane, M. C. Rogers, K. Joly, D. D. Gustine, J. A. Erlenbach, B. A. Mangipane, and D. J. R. Lafferty. 2022. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence on an omnivore's gut microbiome. PLOS ONE 17(4): e0266698. A bear eating sedges. Plan Like a Park Ranger - 10 Tips for Visiting Alaska's National Parks Planning a visit to the National Parks of Alaska? Check out our top 10 tips and plan like a park ranger. two people camp next to a glacier Summit Calderas Summit calderas form on preexisting composite volcanoes that experience VEI 6-7 eruptions that cause their summits to collapse. Summit calderas may become filled with precipitation to form steady-stake lakes, although these lakes may also be drained if the caldera rim becomes breached. photo of a snow covered volcanic summit caldera Calderas Calderas are large collapse features that can be many miles in diameter. They form during especially large eruptions when the magma chamber is partially emptied, and the ground above it collapses into the momentary void. Crater Lake and Aniakchak Crater are calderas. photo of oblique aerial view of a volcanic caldera with snow and ice Series: Volcano Types Volcanoes vary in size from small cinder cones that stand only a few hundred feet tall to the most massive mountains on earth. photo of a volcanic mountain with snow and ice Explosive Calderas Explosive calderas result from violent eruptions of great quantities of silicic magmas. These eruptions produce massive eruption columns that extend into the stratosphere, and voluminous pyroclastic flows. Eruptions that produce explosive calderas generally range from 6 (Colossal) on the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) to 8 super eruptions (Apocalyptic). digital oblique aerial image of a volcanic caldera Series: Volcanic Eruption Styles Categories in this traditional classification are based on the eruption styles of particular volcanoes. These magmatic eruption styles are listed in the order of increasing explosivity. volcanic eruption with glowing lava Volcanic Necks and Plugs Volcanic necks are the remnants of a volcano’s conduit and plumbing system that remain after most of the rest of the volcano has been eroded away. photo of a riverside rocky spire with mountains in the distance Block Flows Block lava flows have surfaces that consist of large angular blocks of lava. photo of blocky lava flows in a mountain valley. The Prescience of Desired Future Conditions Landscape restoration goals must intersect with deeply imagined park planning to realize the future we want. Imaginary landscape of blue circle with white, puffy clouds, surrounded by white wispy clouds. National Park Service hosts first all-women fire crew in Alaska The 2022 all-women conservation corps fire crew, hosted by NPS in Alaska. The crew is pictured here in Katmai National Park in June 2022. A group of 7 young women smiles at the camera, with a lake and mountain in the background. Mussel Abundance Increased After Sea Star Disease Read a summary and link to the article published about mussel response to the marine heatwave and sea star wasting disease: Traiger, S. B., J. L. Bodkin, H. A. Coletti, B. Ballachey, T. Dean, D. Esler, K. Iken, B. Konar, M. R. Lindberg, D. Monson, B. Robinson, R. M. Suryan, and B. P. Weitzman. 2022. Evidence of increased mussel abundance related to the Pacific marine heatwave and sea star wasting. Marine Ecology : e12715. Close up of blue mussels Pyroclastic Flows and Ignimbrites, and Pyroclastic Surges Pyroclastic flows and surges are among the most awesome and most destructive of all volcanic phenomena. Pyroclastic flow deposits are found in at least 21 units of the National Park System. photo of a cloud of ash and dust moving down a mountain side. How sea otters may be impacted by harmful algal blooms Read the abstract and get the link to an article about how to potentially detect impacts of harmful algal blooms in higher-trophic levels of the ecosystems: Bowen, L., S. Knowles, K. Lefebvre, M. St. Martin, M. Murray, K. Kloecker, D. Monson, B. Weitzman, B. Ballachey, H. Coletti, S. Waters, and C. Cummings. 2022. Divergent gene expression profiles in Alaskan sea otters: An indicator of chronic domoic acid exposure? Oceans 3(3): 401-418. A sea otter gets his mouth swabbed for DNA collection. Taking the Pulse of U.S. National Parks How do we know if parks are healthy? We measure their vital signs, of course! Across the country, there are 32 inventory and monitoring networks that measure the status and trends of all kinds of park resources. We're learning a lot after years of collecting data. Check out these articles written for kids and reviewed by kids in partnership with the international online journal Frontiers for Young Minds. A cartoon of a ranger taking the pulse of the Earth. Series: Geologic Time—Major Divisions and NPS Fossils The National Park System contains a magnificent record of geologic time because rocks from each period of the geologic time scale are preserved in park landscapes. The geologic time scale is divided into four large periods of time—the Cenozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Paleozoic Era, and The Precambrian. photo of desert landscape with a petrified wood log on the surface Reducing fire risk in Brooks Camp - Katmai National Park and Preserve In 2021, staff with Katmai and the Alaska regional office developed a mechanical fuels treatment plan around the infrastructure and trails in Brooks Camp. The plan called for thinning and limbing trees and removing downed trees within a 50-foot buffer of the structures and trails/roads. Approximately 65 acres will be treated over five years. This project will help to reduce the fire potential in Brooks Camp. Two people stand near a pile of woody debris while bears walk along a beach in the background. 22 in 2022: An Explore Nature Year in Review As we reflect on 2022, we offer you 22 interesting and exciting science and nature events from parks of the national park system. From a brief, yet dramatic eruption of the world's largest active volcano to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the National Natural Landmarks program, 2022 was filled with amazing moments. the glow of two volcanoes erupting in hawaii volcanoes national park How Alaskan Marine Ecosystems Responded to a Massive Heatwave A marine heatwave in the North Pacific had widespread, detrimental impacts on ecosystems and species. Why were some more resilient than others? Sea otter floats on its back in blue ocean water Brown bear-sea otter interactions Read the abstract and link to an article about coastal brown bears and sea otters in Katmai Naitonal Park and Preserve: Monson, D. H., R. L. Taylor, G. V. Hilderbrand, J. A. Erlenbach, H. A. Coletti, K. A. Kloecker, G. G. Esslinger, and J. L. Bodkin. 2022. Brown bear-sea otter interactions along the Katmai coast: Terrestrial and nearshore communities linked by predation. Journal of Mammalogy pp. 1-13. A brown bear on the coast with a sea otter carcass. Parasites in Alaska Brown Bears Read a summary and link to a journal article on the parasites found in Alaska brown bears: Haynes, E., S. Coker, M. J. Yabsley, K. D. Niedrighaus, A. M. Ramey, G. G. Verocai, G. V. Hilderbrand, K. Joly, D. D. Gustine, B. Mangipane, W. B. Leacock, A. P. Crupi, and C. A. Cleveland. 2023. Survey for selected parasites in Alaska brown bears (Ursus arctos). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 59 (1): 186-191. DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-22-00070. An Alaskan brown bear. Arctic and Subarctic Bears' Exposure to Toxins Read a summary of findings and get the link to an article looking at contaminants in brown bears: Fuchs, B., K. Joly, G. V. Hilderbrand, A. L. Evans, I. Rodushkin, L. S. Mangipane, B. A. Mangipane, D. D. Gustine, A. Zedrosser, L. Brown, and J. M. Arnemo. 2023.Toxic elements in arctic and sub-arctic brown bears: Blood concentrations of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in relation to diet, age, and human footprint. Environmental Research 229: 115952. A bear eating salmon in the river Determining the diets of black oystercatchers using stable isotope analysis Read a summary and link to the full paper on black oystercatcher foraging, in: Carney, B., D. Tessler, H. Coletti, J. M. Welker, and D. Causey. 2023. Stable isotope-determined diets of Black Oystercatchers Haematopus bachmani in the Northern Gulf of Alaska. Marine Ornithology 51: 123-135. A black oystercatcher forages on an outcrop island. 2022 Freeman Tilden Award Recipients View recipients of the National Park Service Freeman Tilden Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the practice of interpretation and education by NPS employees. Two women work with a tree while a young man records audio. 2013 Freeman Tilden Award Recipients Congratulations to the national and regional recipients of the 2013 Freeman Tilden Award for Excellence in Interpretation and Education. A photo of five award recipients and the Director of the National Park Service. Factors that influence mercury concentrations in lake trout Read the abstract and link to a paper that identifies drivers of mercury in lake trout in Alaska: Bartz, K. K., M. P. Hannam, T. L. Wilson, R. F. Lepak, J. M. Ogorek, D. B. Young, C. A. Eagles-Smith, and D. P. Krabbenhoft. 2023. Understanding drivers of mercury inlake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), a top-predator fish in southwest Alaska's parklands. Environmental Pollution 330: 121678. A researcher takes water samples from a airplane float. Series: Park Paleontology News - Vol. 15, No. 2, Fall 2023 All across the park system, scientists, rangers, and interpreters are engaged in the important work of studying, protecting, and sharing our rich fossil heritage. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/newsletters.htm">Park Paleontology news</a> provides a close up look at the important work of caring for these irreplaceable resources. <ul><li>Contribute to Park Paleontology News by contacting the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/common/utilities/sendmail/sendemail.cfm?o=5D8CD5B898DDBB8387BA1DBBFD02A8AE4FBD489F4FF88B9049&r=/subjects/geoscientistsinparks/photo-galleries.htm">newsletter editor</a></li><li>Learn more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/">Fossils & Paleontology</a> </li><li>Celebrate <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/">National Fossil Day</a> with events across the nation</li></ul> Photo of a boulder with a dinosaur track on one side. Tertiary Fossil Floras of Alaskan National Parks The National Park Service units of Alaska have an outstanding fossil record, including fossil plants. Six Alaskan NPS units preserve notable plant fossils of Tertiary age (Paleocene through Pliocene Epochs, 66 to 2.58 million years ago). These fossils were first documented in 1869 and show a major change going from the Eocene to the Oligocene about 34 million years ago. Photo with to fossil leaves. Alaska's Shrinking Glaciers Alaska is one of the most heavily glaciated areas in the world outside of the polar regions. Approximately 23,000 square miles of the state are covered in glaciers—an area nearly the size of West Virginia. Glaciers have shaped much of Alaska’s landscape and continue to influence its lands, waters, and ecosystems. Because of their importance, National Park Service scientists measure glacier change. They found that glaciers are shrinking in area and volume across the state. A close up of the surface of a glacier with ice and rocky morraine. Wolves on the Katmai coast hunt sea otters and harbor seals Read a summary and link to a paper documenting wolves and bears hunting marine mammals: Griffin, K. R., G. H. Roffler, and E. M. Dymit. 2023. Wolves on the Katmai coast hunt sea otters and harbor seals. Ecology e4185. A wolf with a sea otter in its mouth. Series: Cultural Landscapes of Katmai National Park and Preserve An overview of the history, significance, and features of cultural landscapes in the Brooks River area of Katmai National Park and Preserve. Aerial view of Brooks Camp landscape, with river winding and expanding through trees into a lake Cultural Landscapes of Katmai National Park and Preserve An overview of cultural landscapes in the Brooks River area of Katmai National Park and Preserve. Four areas are identified on a map, in an area where a river connects two lakes. Lake Brooks Fisheries Research District Cultural Landscape Overview of the history and features of the Lake Brooks Fisheries Research District cultural landscape. 1940s photo of a wooden weir across the water. A group of tents stands on the opposite shore. Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Road Cultural Landscape Overview of the cultural landscape of Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Road Historic District. An unpaved single lane road cuts straight through a landscape of mid-sized, leafy trees. Brooks Camp Cultural Landscape Explore the cultural landscape of Brooks Camp. A row of symmetrical, one-story wooden cabins with porches at a slight angle to a foot path. Brooks River Archeological District NHL Landscape Introduction to the cultural landscape Brooks River Archeological District National Historic Landmark. A person kneels by a hole behind a pile of dirt during an excavation behind a log structure. I Didn't Know That!: Biological Soil Crusts You’ve heard people say to stay on the trail, but what does it matter in the desert? It’s just dirt... right? Wrong—it's alive! Discover what biological soil crusts are and why they're so important in dry environments. a promo image for "I Didn't Know That! Biological Soil Crusts" with image of a biological soil crust Shrinking Glaciers in Katmai National Park and Preserve Katmai National Park and Preserve is one of nine national parks in Alaska with glaciers. Glaciers covered 320 square miles of Katmai in 2020. This number is 16.5% less than in 1985, meaning that Katmai lost about 63 square miles of glacier-covered area over the 35- year period. Glacier cover in Katmai decreased by 14% from the 1950s to the early 2000s. An ash-covered glacier on the slope of a volcano. 23 in 2023: An Explore Nature Year in Review As we reflect on 2023, we offer you a list of 23 interesting and exciting science and nature events from parks of the national park system. From a dazzling “ring of fire” annular eclipse to celebrating conservation wins with the help of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, 2023 was filled with amazing moments. the ring of fire as seen during an annular eclipse Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera.

Park Info National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Te Novarupta A trip planning and information guide to Alagnak Wild River Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve Katmai National Park and Preserve PHOTO COURTESY S. GAGE Issue Number 2022 What’s Inside: PHOTO COURTESY L. LAW NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY NPS PHOTO Brooks Camp ..............6 Katmai Origins...........14 Backcountry Travel ...20 Three National Parks, Many Amazing Experiences National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Alagnak Wild River Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve Katmai National Park and Preserve Katmai was declared a National Monument in 1918; Aniakchak in 1978. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 established Alagnak Wild River, while Katmai and Aniakchak were expanded to include national preserve areas. Katmai was also redesignated a national park. Together, these lands encompass nearly fve million acres of unique landscapes managed by the National Park Service. Mailing Address PO Box 7 King Salmon, AK 99613 Park Headquarters Phone: 907-246-3305 Websites Alagnak: www.nps.gov/alag Aniakchak: www.nps.gov/ania Katmai: www.nps.gov/katm NPS Mobile App Download the app and content from entire parks for offine use prior to visiting as there is limited to no service. Welcome to Katmai Country Welcome to Katmai! Katmai National Park and Preserve (Katmai) lies within the ancestral homelands of the Alutiit-Sugpiat (Aleut) people. Human habitation of this region goes back many thousands of years and speaks of thriving communities and perseverance in the face of challenging environments. Today, the Alutiit-Sugpiat people strive to maintain their traditional lifeways even in light of pressure brought on by an ever-changing world. Their connections to these lands are enduring and worthy of our respect. Accordingly, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge our Alaska Native communities—be they Alutiit-Sugpiat, Dena’ina, or Yup’ik—for their enduring legacy as the caretakers of this wonderous land we are fortunate to experience, and today call Katmai. Geographically, Katmai is found on the Alaska Peninsula which encompasses a vast and beautiful landscape where the National Park Service also has the privilege of managing Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, and the Alagnak Wild River. Regardless of your interests, collectively these diferent park areas ofer a diversity of outstanding Alaskan experiences. The geology of Katmai is both ancient and new. The park’s diverse landscapes comprise expansive mountains, active volcanoes, fowing glaciers and a wild and beautiful seacoast that is frequently fed by sparkling rivers and lakes. The cataclysmic eruption of Novarupta in 1912 took place long ago when compared to a human lifespan but is geologically recent. The resulting ash covered everything for miles and even today life is still recovering from the efects of the eruption. Many dedicated individuals from diverse walks of life have worked tirelessly over the years to ensure that wildlife remains abundant and diverse throughout this region. It is in large part because of these eforts that Katmai today supports world-class fsheries and outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities. To observe an Alaskan brown bear in its natural environment is a testament to the priorities of our nation. We hope that you have the opportunity to experience these special places for yourself. Those that journey here are sure to take back memories that will last a lifetime. Mark Sturm, Superintendent NPS/L. LAW Social Media Contents: Southwest Alaska’s Parklands.................................................2-3 Essential Information..................................................................4 Getting Here, Getting Around ...................................................5 Welcome to Brooks Camp .......................................................6-7 Camping at Brooks Camp ...........................................................8 Brooks Camp Map .......................................................................9 Bear Viewing ........................................................................10-11 Safe Travels in Bear Country ....................................................12 Live Bearcams............................................................................13 2 The Novarupta Katmai and the National Park Idea.....................................14-15 Exploring the Human History of Katmai .................................16 Cycle of the Salmon ..................................................................17 Fishing Information ..................................................................18 Photographing a Wild Heritage & Katmai’s Wildlife ..............19 Backcountry Travel...............................................................20-21 Aniakchak National Monument..........................................22-23 Alagnak Wild River ..........................

National Parks in Alaska Alaska National Parks Alaska National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Upper Noatak Valley, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve C U H K S I CH BEAUFORT Noatak Noata k Cape Krusenstern 2 r ve River 7 er A IT Kobuk Valley Riv S TR 10 ko Yu uk uk n upi ne Fort Yukon iv e Circle BE RI Koy Bering Land Bridge P o rc Bettles/Evansville C AN AD A AT ES U N IT ED ST NG 12 Kobuk r R i v er 4 Yukon-Charley Rivers Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center on Tana n iv ver i t na Sus 1 Eagle River Anchorage 1 T LE OK CO Nus ha Dillingham 1 Homer ST O L Yakutat Kenai Fjords Glacier Bay GULF OF ALASKA Juneau Gustavus Katmai Y Sitka Petersburg Hoonah Kodiak Sitka Stra it Port Heiden Skagway Haines DA ES NA TAT CA D S E IT I BR A Klondike Gold Rush Seward King Salmon B Mt. St. Elias 18008ft 5489m Cordova UN SEA K WrangellSaint Elias C ha BERING KO 9 4 tham S KU W Soldotna 1 Valdez McCarthy IN Rive r Y B A Iliamna k ga Chitina er Prince William Sound Kenai Lake Clark Nabesna Gulkana Palmer Bethel IM River Ku sko kw im Glennallen 5 2 1 Slana 3 13 Alaska Public Lands Information Center Tok 8 River 8 5 Ri 4 Mt. McKinley 20320ft 6194m Alaska Public Lands Information Center a 2 McKinley Park Denali R Eagle 2 3 er Yu k NORTON SOUND Alaska’s immense size can make travel to and through the state challenging. Some planning is necessary. Just getting to Alaska can be an adventure involving travel by air, highway, and sea. Commercial airlines serve Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and other towns, while cruise ships ply Alaska’s southeastern waters through the Inside Passage. The Alaska Marine Highway transports people and vehicles on ferries from the Lower 48 to towns in Southeast Alaska and between points in Southcentral Alaska. The Alaska Highway, paved in Alaska and most of Canada, is open and maintained year-round. It extends 1500 miles from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Fairbanks, Alaska, and provides a land link with roads to the south. Subsistence hunting, fshing and gathering by rural Alaskans continues on many park lands here. These customary and traditional uses of wild renewable resources are for direct personal or family consumption. Local residency and customary reliance on these uses determines eligibility for continued subsistence uses on national park lands. 6 2 Nome Copp S IA S S TAT E U R S ED IT UN Uses of Park Lands: Many national park lands in Alaska are designated as national preserves.This designation allows for uses not typical in national parks or national monuments in the continental United States. Within these preserves, sport hunting and trapping are permitted subject to state fsh and game laws, seasons, and bag limits; and to federal laws and regulations. Gates of the Arctic 11 Kotzebue Private Lands: Privately owned lands are located within and next to park boundaries throughout Alaska. These private lands are not open to public use or travel without permission from the owners. Check with park staff to determine the location of private lands and public easements. Unauthorized use or travel across private lands could be deemed criminal trespass. 6 9 KOTZEBUE SOUND SEA Anaktuvuk Pass Rive r Travel Tips Once in Alaska, you may have several options for travel to the park lands. Unlike most National Park Service areas in the Lower 48, most in Alaska are not accessible by road. Scheduled air service to towns and villages will put you within air-taxi distance of most of these hard-to-reach parks. Experiencing Alaska’s more remote treasures can require signifcant time, effort, and money and may involve air or boat charters, rafts, kayaks, and hiking. See the back of this brochure for access information for individual parks. Inupiat Heritage Center EA R For information about individual parks, contact them directly (see back of this brochure) or visit the National Park Service website at www.nps.gov/akso/index.cfm. For information about national parks or other public lands in Alaska, visit or contact the Alaska Public Lands Information Centers in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, and Tok, or visit their homepage at www.AlaskaCenters.gov. • Anchorage: 605 West Fourth Avenue, Anchorage, AK 995012248, 907-644-3661 or 866-869-6887 • Fairbanks: Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, 101 Dunkel Street, Suite 110, Fairbanks, AK 99701-4848, 907-459-3730 or 866-869-6887 • Ketchikan: Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, 50 Main Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901-6659, 907-228-6220 • Tok: P.O. Box 359, Tok, AK 99780-0359, 907-883-5667 or 888-256-6784. Tourist information is available from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, P.O. Box 110804, Juneau, AK 99811-0804, www.travelalaska.com. For information about ferry or railroad travel in Alaska, contact: • Alaska Marine Highw

National Parks in Alaska Map National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior