national parks

Shenandoah National Park and AGI Team Up to Create Air Quality Interactive

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (May 1, 2019) - Clean air is vitally important for Shenandoah National Park -- and now you can learn more about its connection to the park through an interactive "Virtual Field Trip" launched this week by the National Park Service in partnership with the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). We like to celebrate the many benefits of clean air every day, but we are especially excited to unveil this virtual field trip during Air Quality Awareness Week, April 29-May 3, 2019.

Senate committee approves Land and Water Conservation Fund reauthorization

Geological Surveys Database

On October 2, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on legislation that would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Although Congress was unable to pass a reauthorization bill for the LCWF before its funding expired on September 30, the authority to carry out the program does not expire. The proposed legislation, called the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act (S. 569), seeks to provide consistent and reliable authority for and funding of the LCWF.

House passes bill to establish Every Kid Outdoors program

Gold Panning

On September 12, 2018, the House passed the Every Kid Outdoors Act (H.R. 3186) to provide fourth grade students and accompanying individuals with free access to federally managed public lands and waters, including historic sites such as national parks. Introduced by Representative Niki Tsongas (D-MA-3), H.R. 3186 codifies the already-existing “Every Kid in a Park” initiative launched in 2015 by President Barack Obama under the Department of the Interior.

House lawmakers discuss Grand Staircase-Escalante during Natural Resources subcommittee hearing

Gold Panning

The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on December 14 to consider the Grand Staircase Escalante Enhancement Act, introduced by Representative Chris Stewart (R-UT-2) to create Utah’s sixth national park - the Escalante Canyons National Park and Preserve.

Trump administration slashes 2 Utah monuments, with ongoing reviews to spur more reductions

IES Fossils glyp

On December 4, following an ongoing review by the Department of the Interior of 27 national monuments, President Donald Trump signed two proclamations reducing the Bears Ears National Monument and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah by about 85 percent and 47 percent, respectively. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke publicly released his final report to the President one day later, which recommended modifications to national monuments in Nevada, Oregon, and California.

"America's Geologic Heritage: An Invitation to Leadership" Recognized for Design Excellence

Book cover showing a stream running through a small slot canyon with two hikers in the stream.
The book, "America's Geologic Heritage: An Invitation to Leadership" published by the National Park Service and the American Geosciences Institute has won an award. Book designer, Angela Terry, just won an American Graphic Design Award from the Design Magazine Graphic Design USA. The design of the book underscores the great beauty and irreplaceable value of our geologic heritage.

ASCE: Role of Civil Engineers in National Parks

Screen shot of the ASCE Executive Director post from Yellowstone
The Executive Director of American Society of Civil Engineers, the parent organization of the Geo-Institute, posted a dispach from Yellowstone National Park and reflected on the ways civil engineers helped shape it with roads, water systems, and hydroelectric systems among many others. Additionally, ASCE's Report Card for America's Infrastructure highlighted that in recent years over $12 billion has been deferred from park maintence. 

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