More books!

On September 24, 2004, Great Sand Dunes became a National Park and Preserve. Towering dunes, alpine lakes, and starlit skies make this Colorado gem unforgettable. Have you added it to your list? #greatsanddunes #coloradotravel #nationalparks #adventureawaits #mytravelscout

fyi

Oh no, MORE books to add to my reading list!

Link in the story to contact your congressional representatives. The Senate version is the one you want to strongly encourage your Senators to support and defend with few amendments.

Oh, this looks interesting! We have the 10 Days in the USA game that helped my elementary age kids learn US Geography while having fun. A Parks themed one may be a nice addition to our game library.

"Most on both sides of the debate agree that without Redford's efforts, particularly in the mid-1970s, there probably would be no Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument today." #parkchat REDFORD FIGHTS ON TO PRESERVE UTAH – Deseret News share.google/6w2vpPihDwYg...

In 2001, the Roadless Rule protecting public lands was implemented after 600 public meetings and 95% public approval. The federal government is trying to eliminate it fast. We have until Friday to be heard. www.frommers.com/trip-ideas/o... #travel #roadlessrule #nationalparks

The #RoadlessRule protects a key source of clean water by preventing harmful road construction and timber harvests in our pristine national forests. This rule protects the drinking water source for these 4 cities below and more👇 🗣️ #SpeakUp to defend it: act.americanrivers.org/page/87510/a...

Join us tonight at 9pm ET for the #parkchat buffet! Could be just silly.

Stay tuned for a trip report and photos from our whirlwind 11 NPS site road trip! #ParkChat

Finally!

Spent a day in Independence, Missouri last week. Checked off another Park site. #TrumanHouse #ParkChat

Last week of minor league baseball on the banks of the Mississippi. #RiverBandits

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Private land used for logging is more prone to severe fire than public lands. A new study shows why New research explains why forests planted for logging purposes fuel devastating wildfires more often than untouched land. New research explains why forests planted for logging purposes fuel…

Join me Tuesday, August 26th, for a public roundtable on sustainable growth and public lands in Southern Nevada. RSVP is required to attend. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Some new books to add to my reading list.

Many people in Arizona fought this travesty and will continue to fight it. This land is sacred land to the Apache people and every Arizonan needs to fight to stop the land deals that threaten our water and biological diversity. If we don't, all public lands here will be sold from under us.

Did you know that there is a tug of war across the Mississippi River? www.wqad.com/article/news...

Looks like I need to revisit and stay in a few states and add islands to my travels.

Oh, quite foggy at Logan Pass this morning! At least I hope that is just fog. #ParkChat

Missed #ParkChat tonight for this view, but will catch up tomorrow...

Call you Senators and ask for them to support this bipartisan Appropriations Bill and limit amendments. It passed 26-2 out of committee.

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This is hard to read, but read it, we must. #ParkChat www.npca.org/articles/998...

Huge shout out to Ally J Levine, Soumya Karwa and Travis Hartman for their excellent work on this Reuters article. Our national public lands provide so many benefits, which is why people love them and want them to be protected, not sold off to the highest bidder. www.reuters.com/graphics/USA...

Please contact your Senators and ask for their support. (and that we don't see amendments that weaken the Bill)

Despite its language around stewardship, the Make America Beautiful Again commission promotes deregulation, expanded industrial access, and voluntary measures that have historically failed to protect ecosystems," said Jennifer Mamola, policy director of the John Muir Project. 🌎

So, is the Ghost Dance on traditional indigenous lands (aka National Parks and Monuments) now allowed?

I appreciate the Congress members who asked Secretary Rollins to reinstate the Roadless Rule. When the National Forest Service (now even more understaffed) can't even maintain existing roads, it's irresponsible to try to expand roads. salinas.house.gov/media/press-...

Great piece on how cuts to the #NationalPark Service have affected the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia. #NewRiverGorge #WestVirginia #Americorp bit.ly/4f6u1cA

There are many things Americans generally agree on (although maybe not in the same order): 1) Freedom is worth fighting for 2) Use tax $$ wisely 3) Reward hard work 4) Defend those who cannot defend themselves 5) Be kind 6) Honor veterans 7) Be honest (don’t cheat) 8) Be prepared 9) We love nature

NEW: A judge has thrown out @protectwildutah.bsky.social's lawsuit against Utah political leaders over a push to take control of millions of acres of public lands in the state: www.fox13now.com/news/politic... #utpol #Utah

RAGBRAI (The Des Moines "Register's Annual Bicycle Ride Across Iowa") kicked off today. Hot week coming up.

Interested in experiencing all that Iowa has to offer? Follow the RAGBRAI account for this year's ride and consider plans for 2026! The route changes every year; but, always starts at the Missouri River and ends at the Mississippi River. RAGBRAI = Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.

Visited Grand Mesa National Forest this past week. The largest flattop mesa mountain in the world and surprisingly cool for Western Colorado in the summer. Elevation generally 9000 - 11000 feet and high temps in the low 70s.

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Imagine not being able to buy a book about the atrocities of internment camps when you visit Manzanar. #ParkChat www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...

I hope that this and the sequel, Parable of the Talents, were not prescient.

Defunding NOOA, CDC, NSF, Medicaid,USAID, National Parks, Libraries, schools, clean energy…but finding money for this?????

Senate budget is out, public lands are still on it. www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media/do...

Five House Republicans threatened to vote down the GOP megabill if the Senate includes Mike Lee's massive public lands grab that would sell off millions of acres of park lands to mining and ranching interests that support the Utah Republican. www.politico.com/live-updates...

Visited a couple of interesting National Park sites today. #ParkChat

Seems not a coincidence that this happened the day after the Senate Parliamentarian took the land scale out of his Big Beautiful Bill.

Good news!

"No sulfide mine has ever operated without polluting water. And this one sits upstream of Voyageurs National Park, sacred tribal lands, and some of the cleanest lakes in the world. They’re not doing this for jobs. Or national security. They’re doing it for donors", waste to them if it can’t be sold.

Ski industry is in a bad place because of the tariffs. Everything is made overseas. The Land Bill is poised to sell off the National Forests the resorts are located in.