NPS/Liang

Chip Jenkins, Superintendent

SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE

Welcome! On September 27, 2009, filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan will release their newest documentary on PBS, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” Six years in the making, the six-episode, twelve-hour series movingly tells the story of the creation of a national park system that now includes 391 units representing much of our nation’s shared natural and cultural heritage. (Find out more at www.pbs.org/nationalparks.)

Also this fall the National Parks Second Century Commission, comprised of 30 distinguished Americans and co-chaired by former senators Howard H. Baker Jr. and J. Bennett Johnson, will “articulate a bold vision of a future where national parks continue to enrich and ennoble this nation and its citizens.” (Find out more at www.visionfortheparks.org.)

These two remarkable events – the Burn’s documentary with its view to the past, and the Second Century Commission’s vision for the future – are expected to focus unprecedented attention on our national park system. All who are passionate about parks, and their role in our society and democracy, should welcome this attention. Many will be moved to ask, “What can I do to help? How can I become involved with our national parks?” Here are some ideas... continue reading.

NPS

Tolo fire right after mid-July 2007 lightning storm. This fire was managed and monitored by video camera late in the summer.

INTENSITY OF FIRE AND FLOOD SEASONS TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE

Resource managers look at Climate Change to document and respond:

The Pacific Northwest is sensitive to global climate changes because of its latitude, proximity to the Pacific, strong climate gradients, topography, and extreme seasonal weather (very wet winters and very dry summers). The sensitivity of this area’s climate is illustrated by the advance and retreat of glaciers during the past several thousand years. Current research and monitoring helps assess the range and magnitude of climate changes over multiple scales of space and time. We have learned that we are dry and glaciers shrink during El Nino years, and that our climate cycles between dry/warm and wet/cool states over 10-15 year periods.

Monitoring of weather conditions takes place in 13 sites in the North Cascades. Marblemount's weather station links to the national Climate Reference Network to help observe climate change across the country over a long period of time.