RANGER PROGRAMS RESTORED EFFECTIVE JULY 6 AT BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

Effective Saturday, July 6, the full schedule of ranger programs and visitor center operations will be restored at Badlands National Park. Programs and visitor center hours were reduced from June 30 through July 5 to provide staff support for the national firefighting efforts. During the week of June 16, the nation went to a "Level 5" firefighting preparedness due to extreme fire danger throughout the country, particularly in the western states. When this level is declared, public land managers, such as park superintendents, are permitted to reduce visitor services to support public safety. All ranger-led programs, including the 3:00 p.m. Prairie Dog Town Walk and the 10:00 p.m. Night Prowl, are available as of July 6. Additionally, the Ben Reifel Visitor Center returns to its summer hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The park has been fortunate to recruit the talents of two volunteers to assist the ranger staff in operation of visitor centers and presentation of park programs. Larry Smith of Texas spends his winters teaching 8th grade Earth Science and Astronomy but is offering his time and talents to the park for the months of July and August. Deb Reilly of Wisconsin has a lifelong love of the Badlands and saw a volunteer recruitment announcement on the Internet and immediately called the park to help out for a few weeks as she takes a break in her career as a graphic designer. For more information on volunteering with the National Park Service, including Badlands National Park, visit http:/www.nps.gov/volunteer/