Olympic

https://www.nps.gov/olym https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_National_Park Olympic National Park is on Washington's Olympic Peninsula in the Pacific Northwest. The park sprawls across several different ecosystems, from the dramatic peaks of the Olympic Mountains to old-growth forests. The summit of glacier-clad Mt. Olympus is popular with climbers, and hiking and backpacking trails cut through the park's rainforests and along its Pacific coastline. With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. Come explore! You can reach Olympic National Park via the I-5 corridor or by any one of the quieter state roadways. Once you arrive on the Olympic Peninsula connect to Hwy 101 to reach any destinations in and around Olympic National Park. From Olympia: take I-5 to Hwy 101 From Tacoma: take State Route 16 to Bremerton; take State Route 3 north from Bremerton to State Route 104. From Washington/Oregon Coast connect to Hwy 101 in Aberdeen. Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center Located in the Hoh Rain Forest. The visitor center is open daily during the summer and intermittently during the winter. Educational exhibits and informational brochures available. Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center is located at the terminus of the Upper Hoh Road. The Upper Hoh Road is accessible via Highway 101, south of Forks, WA. Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center CLOSED during construction. Beginning September 16, the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center will be closed while road work is done on Hurricane Ridge Road. Learn more at https://go.nps.gov/hurricaneridge2022 Call 360-565-3131 to check the status of Hurricane Ridge Road. The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is closed from mid October through Thanksgiving. A restroom is open in the foyer. Be prepared to use your vehicle as a warming area and pack extra food, water, and dry clothing. Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is located at the terminus of Hurricane Ridge Road. This road is accessed from the city of Port Angeles via Mount Angeles Road. Kalaloch Ranger Station Kalaloch Ranger Station is open daily during the summer and closed the rest of the year. Educational exhibits, informational brochures, a small sales area, and restrooms are available. Kalaloch Ranger Station is located 36 miles south of Forks off of Highway 101. Mora Ranger Station Small ranger station located two miles from Rialto Beach. Mora Campground nearby. Ranger Station is closed during winter. Open intermittently during the summer. Park maps and informational brochures available. The Mora Ranger Station is located off of Mora Rd via Highway 110. Highway 110 is accessible from Highway 101, a few miles north of Forks, WA. Olympic National Park Visitor Center This is the main Visitor Center and Wilderness Information Center for Olympic National Park. Park staff are available daily at the visitor center, and by phone (360-565-3130) or email. Restrooms are available during the day. Visit the Olympic National Park website for detailed directions and park maps. Ozette Ranger Station Ozette Ranger Station is open intermittently during the summer and closed during the winter. Informational brochures available. Ozette Ranger Station is located near Lake Ozette along the Hoko-Ozette Road. The Hoko-Ozette Road is accessible from Highways 112 and 113, both of which connect to Highway 101. Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station is open intermittently during the summer and closed during the rest of the year. Educational exhibits and informational brochures available. Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station is located along the North Shore Road in the Quinault Rain Forest. The North Shore Road is accessible via Highway 101. Sol Duc - Eagle Ranger Station Unstaffed Eagle Ranger Station is located off of the Sol Duc Hot Springs Rd. This road is accessed by Highway 101. Staircase Ranger Station Staircase Ranger Station is open intermittently during the summer and closed during winter. Informational brochures available. Staircase Ranger Station is located Northwest of Hoodsport, WA. It is accessed by Highway 119, which will then turn into an unpaved road. Highway 119 connects to Highway 101 in Hoodsport, WA. Storm King Ranger Station Storm King Ranger Station is open intermittently during the summer and closed during the rest of the year. Informational brochures available. Storm King located off of Highway 101 in the Lake Crescent area. Dosewallips Campground (Walk-In Only) Perfect for secluded tent camping. The access road is washed out 6.5 miles from the campground and it is not vehicle accessible. Dosewallips Campground (Walk-In Only) 15.00 $15 per night. Dosewallips Campground Tent in Campsite Campsite in Dosewallips Camground Fairholme Campground Neighboring Lake Crescent, Fairholme includes lakeside campsites and a nearby boat launch. Fairholme Campground Fee 24.00 Fee is $24.00 per a night. Fairholme Walk In Site 01 A campsite with a picnic table. Beyond the trees, glittering turquoise water. A walk-in campsite at Fairholme Campground. Sunrise from Fairholme Campground 01 A lake surrounded by mountains reflects a brilliant orange sunrise. Sunrise from Fairholme Campground Graves Creek Campground Located in the Quinault Rain Forest, relax near a serene stream at Graves Creek Campground. Graves Creek Campground 20.00 $20.00 per a night. Graves Creek Campground 01 A campsite with a picnic table among tall trees. A site at Graves Creek Campground. Heart O' the Hills Campground Surrounded by old growth forest, Heart O' the Hills offers summer ranger programs and great family fun Heart O' the Hills Campground Fee 24.00 $24.00 per night. heart campground site A campsite with picnic table among tall trees. A site at Heart o'the Hills Campground. Hoh Campground Surround yourself with moss and ancient trees in this temperate rain forest. Hoh campground offers summer ranger programs and some riverside campsites along the Hoh River. Reservations in summer, first come first served the rest of the year. Hoh Campground Fee 24.00 $24.00 per night. Hoh Campground 01 A campsite with picnic table surrounded by mossy trees and ferns. A site in the Hoh Rain Forest Campground. Hoh Campground 01 A campsite with a tent in the grassy field A campsite in the Hoh Rain Forest Campground. Hoh Campground 03 A path through grass to a blue river. A path to the Hoh River from the campground. Kalaloch Campround Oceanside camp at Kalaloch with some sites overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Online reservations accepted for peak season. Check recreation.gov for current season dates. All sites are first-come, first-served in off season. Kalaloch Campground Fee 24.00 $24 per night. Kalaloch Campground 01 A campsite with a picnic table and tent, overlooking the ocean. A site at Kalaloch Campground. Mora Campground Situated in a coastal forest, some sites offer views views of the Quillayute River. Mora is located two miles from Rialto Beach. Mora Campground Fee 24.00 $24.00 per a night. Mora Campground 01 A campsite with picnic table among very tall trees. A campsite at Mora Campground. North Fork Campground Surrounded by temperate rain forest, this small and remote campground is a great spot for campers seeking solitude. North Fork Campground Fee 20.00 $20.00 per night. North Fork Campground 01 A campsite with picnic table nestled among conifer trees and ferns. A campsite at North Fork Campground nestles among trees and ferns. Ozette Campground Adjacent to Lake Ozette, this small campground is great for those that enjoy lakeside camping and water activities Ozette Campground Fee 20.00 $20.00 per night. Ozette Campground 01 A grassy campsite with picnic table. A campmsite at Ozette Campground. Ozette Campground 02 Deer Two deer passing through a grassy campsite with a picnic table. A lake is visible through the trees. Blacktail deer pass through a campsite at Ozette Campground. Queets Campground Relax in this secluded campground near the Queets River. This campground is only accessible from the Upper Queets River Road due to a past mudslide Queets Campground Fee 15.00 $15.00 per a night. Queets Campground 01 A campground with a fire pit and picnic tables among conifer trees, beside a rushing river. A riverside campsite in the Queets Campground. South Beach Campground Positioned on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, South Beach offers panoramic ocean views and beach access. South Beach Campground Fee 15.00 $15.00 per a night. South Beach Campground 01 Picnic tables on a bluff overlooking the ocean. South Beach Campground, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Staircase Campground Camp near the Skokomish River and enjoy old-growth forest at Staircase. Summer ranger programs and riverside campsites available. Staircase Campground Fee 20.00 $20.00 per a night. Staircase Campground 01 A riverside campsite with many large, yellow maple leaves. A riverside campsite in the Staircase Campground in the fall. Roosevelt Elk A herd of elk crossing a river. A herd of Roosevelt Elk cross a river in Olympic. Mountain Sunset Hikers sit and watch the sun set behind snow-capped mountains. Backpackers stop to enjoy a spectacular sunset in Olympic's high country. Tide Pools of the Olympic Coast Orange sea stars on a rocky coast. Ocher sea stars rest on the rocks during a low tide on one of Olympic's beaches. Hurricane Ridge Fresh snow atop the Olympic Mountains. A fresh layer of snow covers Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains. Olympic Forest Large trees and ferns Large trees and ferns inhabit the temperate forests of Olympic. High Elevation Archeological Survey in Pacific Northwest Mountain Ranges Long before boundaries of national parks were established, Native Americans traveled widely in the mountain ranges of the Pacific Northwest. Archeologists had little information about where people hunted, harvested, and camped and decided to survey for sites in the high altitude regions of Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades National Parks. Surprising survey results reveal extended use of high altitude areas in prehistoric times. [photo] Two men in discussion atop mountain. 2015 NPS Environmental Achievement Awards Recipients of the 2015 NPS Environmental Achievement Awards Shark Awareness Before heading into the ocean, review some safety information to further minimize the chances of a shark encounter. Shark and fish in the blue ocean waters Partnerships add a Charge to your Travel Plans The National Park Service, the National Park Foundation, BMW of North America, the U.S. Department of Energy, concessioners, and gateway communities have collaborated to provide new technologies for travel options to and around national parks. As part of this public-private partnership, BMW of North America, working through the National Park Foundation, donated and arranged for the installation of 100 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports in and around national parks. Park Air Profiles - Olympic National Park Air quality profile for Olympic National Park. Gives park-specific information about air quality and air pollution impacts for Olympic NP as well as the studies and monitoring conducted for Olympic NP. “Chicken of the woods” fungi on a tree Tribute: Gary L. Larson, Limnologist A remembrance of limnologist Gary L. Larson Gary Larson Dutch Creek Incident, Andy Palmer Fatality These reports address the accident which occurred on July 25, 2008 when firefighter Andrew “Andy” Palmer was fatally struck by a falling tree while assigned to the Eagle Fire, part of the Iron Complex on the Shasta Trinity National Forest in Northern California. At the time of the accident, Andy was employed as a firefighter at Olympic National Park in Port Angeles, Washington. Glacier Monitoring in the National Parks of Washington State: A virtual field experience. Increasing public awareness of Glacial resources in the North Coast / Cascades National Parks Virtual reality is being investigated as a means of providing the average visitor and the public with the experience of glaciers and glacier research. 2016 Recipients: George and Helen Hartzog Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service Learn the invaluable contributions of the 2016 Hartzog winners, celebrating excellence in volunteerism. Group of school kids pointing at things in a marsh area National Park Service Visitor and Resource Protection Staff Focuses on Week of Leadership Staff from all levels of the National Park Service in law enforcement, United States Park Police, as well as fire and aviation spent a week learning leadership lessons from one another as well as from a diverse group of leaders during the last week of September 2019. A group of women and men on a rocky outcrop in high desert. 2019 Connecting with our Homelands Awardees Hopa Mountain, in partnership with the National Park Service, is pleased to announce the 2019 awardees of the Connecting with our Homelands travel grants. Twenty-one Indigenous organizations, schools, and nonprofits have been awarded travel funds for trips to national park units across 12 states/territories within the United States. An elder and young student talk while sitting on a rock. Butterflies of the North Coast & Cascades A comprehensive list of butterfly species found in Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park Complex, Olympic National Park, and San Juan Island National Historical Park. Brightly colored Milbert's tortoiseshell on the ground Washington Fisher Restoration Fishers, a member of the weasel family, are being reintroduced to Washington State. A fisher, a medium-sized mammal with brown fur. 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 North Coast and Cascades Network Exotic Plant Management Team The North Coast and Cascades Network Exotic Plant Management Team (NCCN EPMT) manages a diverse array of exotic plants across the dramatic landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. The team works with partner parks and agencies to augment vegetation management across the network. People loading weed control equipment into the back of a vehicle Moths of the North Coast & Cascades Moths are insects and members of the taxonomic order of Lepidoptera. They and their larvae provide food for other insects, fish, and animals, and they are pollinators for many nocturnally flowering plants. Over the last five years, parks in the North Coast and Cascades Network have conducted Bioblitzes to begin developing species lists of moths in our parks. Scribe moth specimen What’s That Buzz? Documenting Pollinator Diversity in North Cascades and Olympic National Parks Most flowering plants rely on insect pollinators for successful reproduction. Thus many plant-feeding animals (like bears, goats, elk) are also dependent on insect pollinators for their well-being. Still, park scientists know relatively little about the diversity of native insect pollinators. We designed a study to document the diversity of two very important groups of insect pollinators in North Cascades and Olympic National Parks: bees and flower flies. Side view of a yellowhead bumble bee specimen with a substantial pollen load on its hind leg Glacier Surveys in Olympic National Park The winter of 2015 was representative of Washington climate-change scenarios with a 2° C increase in temperature. This provided an ideal opportunity to analyze glacier distribution, glacier melt, and the downstream contribution from Olympic glaciers impacted by climate change. Glacier flowing through rocky valley with blue sky in background Nitrogen Deposition in the North Coast and Cascades Nitrogen deposition is a widely an unknown yet poignant issue in the west. Studies at Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park are investigating effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Of salmon and success: Partnership across boundaries in Olympic National Park Invasive species management in national parks can be hard, but success is possible! Learn how the Exotic Plant Management Team, along with tribal and state partners, fought invasive knotweed - but not vampires - in Olympic National Park. A man standing in a tall thick of knotweed Effects of Nitrogen Deposition on High Alpine Lakes in North Coast and Cascades Parks Remote high alpine lakes are sensitive indicators of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. Anthropogenic N deposition has potential to change species composition and ecosystem function in alpine lakes. Alpine lake surrounded by mountains. Historic Visibility Studies in National Parks Haze can negatively impact how well people can see and appreciate our national parks across the country. This article summarizes the visibility studies from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s aimed at identifying the sources of haze causing pollution at specific parks and improving visibility monitoring methods. Big bend national park river Understanding Mercury Concentrations in Mountain Lake Fish Mountain lakes may seem pristine, but they are subjected to multiple types of man-made stressors. Since the industrial revolution, toxins from industrial activities have begun to travel through the atmosphere and be deposited onto the mountain landscape, where lakes act as collection basins. This study sought to determine the range of mercury concentrations in mountain lake fish, and to understand which variables contribute to high mercury in fish. Researcher in an inflatable boat on a sparkling mountain lake Bees of the North Coast & Cascades Bees are some of the most abundant and important pollinators in the world – especially in mountainous environments. Despite the importance of bees in our natural environments, many national parks do not know what species live within their boundaries. In 2016, to celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service, North Coast and Cascades national parks focused on inventories of pollinators, including bees. Macro photo of the metallic blue head of a mason bee Glacier Monitoring in North Coast & Cascades Parks The North Coast and Cascades Network currently contains 485 glaciers that are iconic features of the region, and vital components of the parks hydrology and ecosystems. The remains of Banded Glacier in 2016 Effects of Nitrogen Deposition on High Alpine Meadows in North Coast and Cascades Parks Alpine plant communities are limited by nitrogen (N) because they have evolved in ecosystems with naturally low levels of reactive N. Increased N deposition is projected to alter plant communities, soil processes, soil carbon and N storage. An alpine meadow in bloom with mountains in the background. Modeling climate change effects on the hydrology of North Cascades wetland ecosystems Through field research and modeling, this study examines the effects of climate change on mountain wetlands and the fauna, like amphibians, that are dependent on those habitats. World War II Plane Crashes in National Parks During WWII, more than 7,100 air crashes involved US Army Air Force (USAAF) aircraft occurred on American soil. Collectively these crashes resulted in the loss of more than 15,599 lives (Mireles 2006). Many of these military aircraft accidents occurred in remote, often mountainous, areas managed by the National Park Service. plane crash at base of grassy hill 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 Wildland Fire in Douglas Fir: Western United States Douglas fir is widely distributed throughout the western United States, as well as southern British Columbia and northern Mexico. Douglas fir is able to survive without fire, its abundantly-produced seeds are lightweight and winged, allowing the wind to carry them to new locations where seedlings can be established. Close-up of Douglas fir bark and needles. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Olympic National Park, Washington Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. [Site Under Development] rainforest Syrphid Flies of the North Coast & Cascades Syrphid flies, also known as hoverflies or flower flies, feed on nectar or pollen and are frequently observed on flowers in subalpine and alpine ecosystems. However, there is little research on their distribution or importance as pollinators. In 2014, Dr. Jessica Rykken conducted pollinator surveys in Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park Service Complex, and documented 57 taxa of syrphid flies. A syrphid fly with yellow and black coloration similar to that of a wasp Lisa Turecek, Chief, Facility Management at Olympic National Park, Washington The work we do is very important... a great mission gives a sense of purpose to my work. Also, public sector work allows for more work-life balance. Lisa smiles into the camera with mountains in the background 1997–1998 El Niño / 1998–1999 La Niña Wind-driven waves and abnormally high sea levels contributed to hundreds of millions of dollars in flood and storm damage in the San Francisco Bay region, including Point Reyes National Seashore, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and Pinnacles National Monument. In addition to California, the 1997–1998 El Niño and the following 1998–1999 La Niña severely impacted the Pacific Northwest, including many National Park System units. colorful ocean surface mapping image History of the Panoramic Lookout Project Most documentation of the panoramic lookout photos project, which began about 1930 to document areas seen from the lookout system, comes from the US Forest Service. The NPS project began in 1934. Lester Moe worked for the Forest Service taking photos in 1933 and 1934, and later worked for NPS. Several innovations came about from this project: the Osborne photo-recording transit and “special emulsion infra-red sensitive film” not affected by smoke and haze. sample of the panoramic lookout project Pacific Border Province The Pacific Border straddles the boundaries between several of Earth's moving plates on the western margin of North America. This region is one of the most geologically young and tectonically active in North America. The generally rugged, mountainous landscape of this province provides evidence of ongoing mountain-building. Drakes Estero in Point Reyes National Seashore. NPS photo/Sarah Codde National Parks’ Homefront Battle: Protecting Parks During WWII Though the National Park Service (NPS) was only 25 years old at the outbreak of World War II, the agency found itself fighting a battle on the homefront. With little precedent to work from and dwindling budgets and staff, the NPS strongly defended its parks against a flood of demands to log, mine, graze, drain, and take over national parks Protecting Olympic's Forests During World War II Olympic National Park became the first major battle in a long homefront war over natural resources. Olympic was added to the national park system in 1938. As early as 1940, Olympic National Park’s began fielding requests for timber. Though not yet involved in the war, the UK and other allies made urgent requests for the US to provide them with raw, natural resources. National Park Getaway: Olympic National Park A stunning variety of sights, sounds, and experiences beckon visitors to Olympic National Park. Explore the distinctly different ecosystems of the wild Pacific coast, valleys of ancient forests and rushing rivers, and rocky, glacier-capped peaks. Hiker near July Creek in Olympic POET Newsletter May 2014 Pacific Ocean Education Team (POET) newsletter from May 2014. Articles include: Ocean Acidification on the Pacific Coast; Ocean Acidification Science and Communication Emerging and Evolving Together; Olympic Ocean Stewards--A New Junior Ranger Program; and Ocean Acidification Facts. People on boat with a large gray cylindrical device. Russian Shipwreck Near Olympic National Park During WWII A network of coastal defenses were set up along the Olympic Coast in reaction to the frightening early days of World War II. On April 1, 1943, a Russian ship wrecked off the coast of Olympic National Park activating the La Push Coast Guard Station into action. A dangerous search and rescue ensued. B&W photo of ship on side amongst rocks and crashing waves Coastal Defenses in Olympic National Park in World War II Abandoned coast guard stations and aircraft warning station lookouts remind visitors of the frightened and earnest efforts made at coastal defense in the earliest days of World War II on the Olympic Peninsula. small white building; B&W photo Bat Bombs and Balloons on Fire: Bizarre Occurrences in WWII National Parks An auxiliary field at the Carlsbad air base was the site of one of the war’s stranger experiments as a secret government project envisioned captured bats strapped with bombs dropped over Japan. In Olympic National Park, Japanese Incendiary Balloons fell across the pacific northwest, trigger 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 How are Landbird Populations Doing in the North Coast and Cascades Network? Landbirds are one of the vital signs monitored in five national parks of the North Coast and Cascades Network. Two recent studies show that for species with discernible trends, most populations are stable or even increasing. A greenish-yellow bird singing from a perch Bat Projects in Parks: North Coast Cascades Network Eleven bat species occur in North Coast Cascades Network Parks. Each species is unique, except that they're all facing threats of some kind in their environments. Learn more about how scientists study bats and what you can do to help. Pinnacles National Park Biologist Shares Non-lead Ammunition Expertise with Olympic National Park Volunteers Sometimes, national parks are faced with a daunting challenge: removing ecologically disruptive, non-native mammals. Pinnacles National Park knows what it’s like. They have worked hard to successfully remove feral pigs. So when Olympic National Park needed to remove introduced mountain goats using non-lead ammunition, they sought the expertise of Pinnacles Invasive-Wildlife Biologist and Non-lead Ammunition Specialist Daniel Ryan. Dan holding a radio tracker high up in a snowy mountain range. Series: Panoramic Project Shows How National Parks Change Over Time In the 1930s, panoramic photographs were taken from lookout points. Comparing these images to present-day photographs allows us to understand change over time. Viewing photographs of different eras in the national parks can give many insights on ecosystem processes, as well as simply change over time. The panoramic lookout photographs provide a window on the past and an opportunity to compare to the present with changes to landforms and land cover. Lester Moe documenting park landscapes in the 1930s Series: National Park Service Geodiversity Atlas The servicewide Geodiversity Atlas provides information on <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geoheritage-conservation.htm">geoheritage</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geodiversity.htm">geodiversity</a> resources and values all across the National Park System to support science-based management and education. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1088/index.htm">NPS Geologic Resources Division</a> and many parks work with National and International <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/park-geology.htm">geoconservation</a> communities to ensure that NPS abiotic resources are managed using the highest standards and best practices available. park scene mountains Series: NPS Environmental Achievement Awards Since 2002, the National Park Service (NPS) has awarded Environmental Achievement (EA) Awards to recognize staff and partners in the area of environmental preservation, protection and stewardship. A vehicle charges at an Electric Vehicle charging station at Thomas Edison National Historical Park Series: Coastal Geomorphology—Storms of Record Storms can bring about significant coastal change as well as substantial economic damage and loss in the human environment. Read about a few storms of interest that have since made history due to their unique intensity, characteristics, or impacts. aerial view of a major storm along the northwest coast of the united states and canada Series: Physiographic Provinces Descriptions of the physiographic provinces of the United States, including maps, educational material, and listings of Parks for each. George B. Dorr, founder of Acadia National Park Series: Park Air Profiles Clean air matters for national parks around the country. Photo of clouds above the Grand Canyon, AZ Data Manager Profile: Kristen Bonebrake Meet Kristen Bonebrake, Data Manager for the North Coast and Cascades Network Inventory & Monitoring Network, and discover the important role that data managers play in protecting the natural resources of our parks! Explore Kristen's journey—from counting roadkill as an intern at Saguaro National Park, to collaborating with bright minds around the country to solve the complex challenges facing our nation's most special places. Kristen kneels on a rock in front of a dramatic snow-capped mountain scene. Elwha Dam Removal, Restoration, & Relationships Join Robert Elofson, Elwha Tribal Elder and Commercial Fisherman and Pat Crain, fisheries biologist for Olympic National Park, for a summary of the Elwha River Restoration project, from the planning phase to today. The presentation will include a description of the dams, the dam removal process, the status of salmon re-colonization of the watershed, and the partnerships that made it all happen. (February 2021) calm river with grassy banks on each side and tree-covered mountains in the background Listening for Owls: A Multi-agency Collaboration to Preserve Spotted Owl Habitat Across the West For over 25 years, biologists from the National Park Service and several other agencies have collected spotted owl monitoring data to inform forest management that is guided by the multi-agency Northwest Forest Plan. Yet traditional field surveys for spotted owls have become less effective as their numbers have dwindled. Thus in 2021, the Northwest Forest Plan’s spotted owl monitoring design is transitioning to remote acoustic monitoring (also known as passive monitoring). Audio recording unit, with microphones on either side, mounted on a tree trunk. West Coast National Parks Work with NOAA to Better Understand Ocean Acidification in the Rocky Intertidal and Beyond Ocean acidification (OA) is a huge threat to marine life. But it is hard to track remotely on a large scale. So this summer, seven West Coast national parks are teaming up with the 2021 NOAA West Coast Ocean Acidification Cruise. They’ll collect water samples in-person to check several OA indicators. Their data will help paint the most detailed picture yet of OA conditions up and down the coast, from parks’ rocky intertidal zones to dozens of miles offshore. Collage of different rocky intertidal creatures photographed against a white background. An Ocean on the Edge Along the northwestern tip of the continental United States, large rocky stacks rise like sentinels from the mist. Shrouded in beauty and wonder, the expansive coastline of Olympic National Park sets a dramatic stage for the convergence of several unique ecosystems. Pristine, glacier-capped mountains painted in lush rainforests descend swiftly into the crashing waves where land meets sea. This is where our story begins. Black-and-white photo of impressive rocky stacks rising up above an expansive coastline. POET Newsletter September 2014 Pacific Ocean Education Team (POET) newsletter from September 2014. Articles include: Sea Star Wasting Disease; Corallivore: Crown of Thorns Starfish Wreak Havoc in American Samoa — The NPS Responds; Seafloor in 3D; and Coral Bleaching Monitoring on Guam. A large, red-colored sunflower sea star that appears to be melting or disintegrating. 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 Winter 2009 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; Engage Visitors in Ocean Park Stewardship; Inventory Map & Protect Ocean Parks; and Ocean Stewardship: A Commitment to Collaboration for Conservation. A color map indicating the depth of the Pacific Ocean floor. Darker blue represents deeper oceans. POET Newsletter February 2014 Pacific Ocean Education Team (POET) newsletter from February 2014. Articles include: A Beacon of Light for the Channel Islands; A Challenging Place; Isolation within Isolation; Destruction Island Lighthouse A black and white historic photo of the Destruction Island lighthouse tower on a bluff top. 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. North Coast and Cascades Network Delivers a New Generation of Vegetation Maps North Coast and Cascades Network has developed vegetation maps for Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks in partnership with the Institute for Natural Resources. Two field crewmembers collecting vegetation data in a lush forest Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios. Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background Challenging The Ranger Image In spite of programs to encourage hiring of individuals with disabilities, it was often others’ misconceptions or discomfort that prevented women with disabilities from getting National Park Service (NPS) jobs. Those hired in the 1970s and early 1980s brought diverse skillsets and new perspectives to the workforce. Like the earliest women rangers in the 1910s and 1920s, they often only had short-term positions. They all challenged ideas of what it takes to be a park ranger. Ranger Vicky White in a wheelchair with a visitor and man in military dress. Native Conservation Corps Learn about a program for Native American youth to engage in conservation work in national parks and extend their experiences into their communities. Native Conservation Corps members become dual ambassadors between the National Park Service and Native American tribes. Pillow Basalts Pillow basalts are named for the rounded shapes that form when lava cools rapidly underwater. photo of golden gate bridge How an Insect Became a National Park Service Superhero Through the power of partnerships, the Dragonfly Mercury Project elevated the importance of a commonly found insect. It also showed that citizen science can be a potent research tool. A group of young people surround a man in an NPS uniform holding a net next to a stream Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge in Olympic National Park to be Rehabilitated through GAOA Funding This project will bring the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge into compliance with current codes and ABAAS accessibility standards. It will create a safer and more energy efficient lodge by replacing, fixing, and updating structural elements of the lodge. a building sits behind a parking lot full of cars. A mountain range is in the background Estuary Landforms Estuaries are buffer zones between river (freshwater) and ocean (saltwater) environments that are affected by tidal oscillations. sunset over wetlands Series: Beach and Coastal Landforms Our national parks contain diverse coastal landforms: high-energy rocky shorelines of Acadia National Park, quiet reef-lagoons within War in the Pacific National Historic Park, and the white sandy beaches of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Coastal landforms are, or have been, affected to some degree by the direct or indirect effects of waves, tides, and currents, and may extend inland for many miles. aerial view of island and reef Guide to the Thomas J. Allen Photograph Collection Finding aid for the Thomas J. Allen Photographs in the NPS History Collection. Travel Blog: Olympic National Park Writing Prompt: Travel Blog written by Sarah Desmarais for "A Day in the Life of a Fellow" Article Series. Sarah is a NPS Workforce Management Fellow, in partnership with Northwest Youth Corps Olympic National Park Rain Forest 50 Nifty Finds #11: Carving a Place in NPS History Few employees have left as visible a mark on National Park Service (NPS) exhibits as John A. Segeren. His work has been enjoyed by generations of park visitors who never knew his name but appreciated his intricate wood carvings and playful animal figures displayed in parks throughout the system. A master woodcarver described by former President Lyndon B. Johnson as "a legacy to this country," Segeren carved out his own place in NPS history. Round wooden plaque with bison, globe, and waterfall Taking the Pulse of a Forest Pacific Northwest forests are vital living systems, cycling huge quantities of carbon and nutrients, filtering pollutants from waterways, and serving as a living bulwark against climate change. However, forests worldwide are threatened by increasing warming and drought, leading to tree die-offs. A new study asks the question: Is this pattern playing out in the mature and old-growth forests of western Washington? North Coast and Cascades Science Brief. Photo: Woman stands in a forest writing on a clipboard Enjoy the View like David Pohlman A beautiful red and orange sunset lights up the sky and reflects upon the water. Silhouettes of small rocky islands and the steep tree-covered shoreline bring a stark contrast to the scene...David Pohlman shares his favorite view at Olympic National Park. a brilliant orange sunset over the ocean with silhouettes of sea stacks and coastline Long-term Ecological Monitoring of Mountain Lakes, 2013 An on-going long-term study of the impacts of atmospheric pollution, climate change, non-native species, backcountry visitation, and other factors on park lakes. Woman in NPS ballcap sitting on rocky lake shore operates water sampling equipment.