Susan Hughes, Tonto National Monument, susan_hughes@nps.gov, 928-467-2241

Elise Cleva, NPS Headquarters, Elise_M_Cleva@nps.gov, 202-208-6843

March 10, 2010

Tonto National Monument

America’s Best Idea: National Park Getaway

ROOSEVELT, Ariz. – Drive a few hours from either of Arizona’s largest cities, and you’ll reach the epitome of the American Southwest. In this region, the earth stretches in desert expanses, then gives a champion performance, diving, tumbling, and rising into the air, executing the gymnastics of canyons and mountains. Saguaros lift their spiny arms in yogic postures. Spring wildflowers transform the land with purples, pinks, and reds.

Nature, with its feats and beauty, shares the stage with what humans have made. Dwellings nestle in cliffs. Designs lace over pottery. Jewelry and tools of the past survive.

Tonto National Monument, close to Flagstaff as well as to Phoenix and Tucson, offers both the athletic scenery and archeological riches that draw visitors from around the world to Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.

The latest article in the series of National Park Getaways introduces readers to this Arizona destination that encapsulates the American Southwest. At Tonto, with its wildflowers, cacti, cliff dwellings, and museum, visitors can explore the Sonoran Desert and the culture of the Salado people, who lived here centuries ago.

Read this week’s Getaway and discover Tonto, the 39th park featured in the series. National Park Getaways help people find new places to reconnect with nature, history, family, and friends. After learning about Tonto, check out previous Getaways at www.nps.gov/getaways.

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Contacts:

Frances Delmar, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site,

Frances_Delmar@nps.gov,

610-582-8773 ext. 233

Elise Cleva, NPS Headquarters, Elise_M_Cleva@nps.gov, 202-208-6843

March 3, 2010

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

America’s Best Idea: National Park Getaway

ELVERSON, Pa. – This week, the National Park Getaways series invites you to visit Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. From the cast house at Hopewell Village came artillery and ammunition for George Washington’s army and stoves for households in the young nation. The furnace produced iron goods until 1883.

Today, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site turns out great experiences.

Visitors can tour historic buildings, watch a movie, and, during March 2010, catch a play. The grime and noise of industry no longer disrupt the peace of Hopewell Village and the surrounding woodlands and pastures. The park offers trails for hiking, spots for picnicking, and two horses and a flock of sheep for the viewing pleasure of young visitors.

Park Superintendent Edie Shean-Hammond invites everyone to visit, “Hopewell is the perfect place to plan your getaway. We’re within an hour’s drive of Philadelphia in the center of the largest forest in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and now we’re fee free!”

To learn more and get “stoked” for your visit, read this week’s National Park Getaway. The National Park Getaways series helps people find new places to reconnect with nature, history, family, and friends. To see previous Getaways, please visit www.nps.gov/getaways. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is the 38th feature in the series.

###

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 4, 2010

Contact: David Barna (202) 208-6843

Gerry Gaumer (202) 208-6843

Mary Gibson Scott Named Acting Intermountain Regional Director

WASHINGTON – National Park Service (NPS) Director Jonathan Jarvis announced

today that Mary Gibson Scott will act as Regional Director for the agency’s

Intermountain Region, which consists of 91 NPS units in eight states and

employs more than 5,000 people. Scott temporarily replaces Mike Snyder, who

recently retired. She will assume her duties in mid-March 2010, and the

agency will conduct a competitive search for a permanent Regional Director

in the near future.

“Mary is a veteran manager in this agency and has handled many complex

issues. She steps into this acting position at a critical time, and she

will lead the Intermountain Region effectively and professionally until we

are able to find a permanent Regional Director,” said National Park Service

Director Jon Jarvis.

Scott, currently the superintendent at Grand Teton National Park in

Wyoming, is a 30-year career veteran of the National Park Service. Prior to

her assignment at Grand Teton, she served as superintendent at Carlsbad

Caverns National Park (NM), deputy superintendent at Golden Gate National

Recreation Area (CA), acting general superintendent of Gateway National

Recreation Area (NY, NJ), and superintendent of the Staten Island Unit of

Gateway National Recreation Area (NY). Additionally, Scott has served in

senior positions at the former regional office of the National Park Service

in Santa Fe and at the NPS Planning and Design Center in Denver.

Scott has served at Grand Teton National Park since 2004. During that time,

she has supported several complex projects that collectively provided new

and improved services for the public. For example, Scott brought the

long-anticipated Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center from conceptual

design to its grand opening in 2007.

Scott served a two-year term as the chair for the Greater Yellowstone

Coordinating Committee—a consortium of federal land managers in the Greater

Yellowstone Area. In 2008, she received the Intermountain Region’s

Superintendent of the Year Award for Natural Resource Stewardship. She has

consistently made a concerted effort to improve partnership relationships

and agreements with 10 principal partner associations and organizations

that support the mission of Grand Teton National Park.

Bob Vogel, Deputy Superintendent at Grand Teton National Park will

initially serve as the acting Superintendent in Mary’s absence.

-NPS-

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 4, 2010

Contact: David Barna (202) 208-6843

david_barna@nps.gov

$129 Million Saved by National Park Service Will Fund Additional 30

Projects Nationwide

WASHINGTON, DC- The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that favorable pricing on its American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) large construction projects has resulted in savings of over 20 percent totaling approximately $129 million. The Service will use these dollars to fund an additional 30 high priority projects across the country putting additional people to work in ways that will leave a permanent legacy for our national parks through critical facility improvements, infrastructure repairs, and energy efficiency enhancements.

“We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to do so much more with our Recovery Act funding than we originally planned. Certainly the market dynamics play a significant role in the pricing we’re seeing, but I also credit the execution and hard work of our team. These projects represent critical priorities for us that will also benefit the economy and create jobs in the near term,” said Jon Jarvis, director of the National Park Service.

The list of newly funded construction projects includes:

The transformation of a former military facility into an education and

research campus at Acadia National Park. The project will

reconfigure roads, remodel three buildings into classrooms and labs

and complete the majority of work converting the base to the Schoodic

Educational and Research Center.

The installation of photovoltaic cells on Alcatraz Island in Golden Gate

National Recreation Area to replace the existing diesel generated

power on the island.

The rehabilitation of the 138–year-old Catoctin Aqueduct, part of C & O

Canal National Historic Park. The project will restore two missing

arches of what was once called the “Most Beautiful Aqueduct” on the

canal, replace missing handrail sections and generally improve its

condition and lifespan.

The NPS is also announcing the replacement of 26 projects with 36

additional projects totaling $9.3 million. Projects are being replaced

for various reasons, such as prior completion with non-ARRA funds or

because they cannot be completed within the Recovery Act timeframe. The

NPS selected the replacement projects from existing contingency lists using established merit-based criteria for expediency of implementation, job creation potential and ability to address high-priority mission needs.

The NPS established and followed a formal but efficient process for making timely decisions on project funding reallocations and project substitutions to ensure they are supporting the ARRA goals of quickly stimulating the economy and creating jobs. Projects that are being replaced will remain priorities for the NPS, so will likely be completed with other funding in future years.

The current list of the NPS ARRA projects can be found at the following

link:

http://recovery.doi.gov/press/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/nps_arra-project-list_march_2010.pdf

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $3 billion to the Department of the Interior. Of that amount, $750 million went to the NPS to fund job-creating investments in critical infrastructure and facilities, trail restoration, abandoned mine remediation, and energy efficiency and renewable energy.

-NPS-

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Parktips – March 2010

Parktips is a monthly compilation of newsworthy items and story ideas from the National Park Service. A new edition is posted on the first week of each month at http://www.nps.gov/news/index.htm. Just click on the Story Leads link to access Parktips. You can view past issues of Parktips. You can also receive a personal copy of Parktips, via e-mail or fax, by registering at our website.

Endangered World and 80.15 W

(Florida) — The installation Endangered World: Biscayne National Park and the exhibit 80.15 W by artist Xavier Cortada are now on view at Biscayne National Park’s Convoy Point and the Dante Fascell Visitor Center. Both works of art call attention to the impact that humans can have on animals.

Cortada conceived of the installation, which members of the local community executed, and created the works on paper that make up 80.15 W. This exhibit and Endangered World mark the International Year of Biodiversity declared by the United Nations and help Biscayne count down the time to BioBlitz—a 24-hour inventory of the species in the park, sponsored by National Geographic—on April 30 and May 1. For more information, please contact Gary Bremen at 305-230-1144 ext. 007.

Get Ready to Run This Spring!

(Pennsylvania) — The Young Friends of Valley Forge and REI Conshohocken will co-sponsor a clinic, “Introduction to Running,” on Tuesday, March 2 at

7 p.m. at REI Conshohocken. If you’re thinking about running your first 5K or 10K but are unsure how to get started, this clinic is for you. Join the Young Friends of Valley Forge, who are training for the fifth annual Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run, and REI for this “Intro to Running” clinic.

Essential gear, including footwear and clothing, will be discussed. Come out to learn more about training programs and workout ideas as well as to discover great local places to run. The Young Friends of Valley Forge will be on hand with information about the Revolutionary Run. Learn more at http://valleyforge.org/info/rev-run/. For more information, please contact Graham Dellinger 610-783-1062.

Help Test Yosemite’s Water Quality

(California) — Individuals who care about water quality can volunteer in Yosemite National Park’s program for monitoring the Merced River.

Volunteers sample water for nitrates and phosphorous. Volunteers participate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month except December and February. The next date is March 3. Please see http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm. For more information, please contact Scott Gediman at 209-372-0200 and Niki Nicholas at 209-372-0472.

Fiesta de Saguaro

(Arizona) — Saguaro National Park will host the fourth annual Fiesta de Saguaro on March 6, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park’s Rincon Mountain (East) District. The event highlights the Hispanic history, culture, and heritage of Saguaro National Park and the surrounding area.

Activities include craft demonstrations, traditional Mariachi music and Folklorico dancing, children’s arts and crafts, and guest speakers.

Traditional Mexican food will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact Melanie Florez at 520-733-5151.

Backcountry Tours at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

(Arizona) — In honor of the Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month in March, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument will host special tours of the park’s backcountry area that is normally closed to the visiting public. Highlights include the Prehistoric Ballcourt, Compound B, and an ancient roasting pit or “horno.” The tours will be offered on Saturday and Sunday mornings, starting on Saturday, March 6 and ending on Sunday, March 28. For more information, please contact Superintendent Karl Cordova at 520-723-3172.

Women’s History Month in National Parks of New York Harbor New York — The National Parks of New York Harbor are celebrating Women’s History Month with a variety of special programs. A musician specializing in historic songs will recreate Jenny Lind’s performance at Castle Garden, now Castle Clinton National Monument. Women’s suffrage is the subject of a discussion being held at the Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center in the Staten Island Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area on March 6. On March 12, visitors to St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site can learn about lives of women in 18th-century America based on symbolism and inscriptions on gravestones, including several in the historic burial yard at St. Paul’s.

Join the National Park Service at Federal Hall National Memorial on March

22 for “Symbols, Soldiers, Spies,” a day filled with tales of triumph and tragedy as National Park Service rangers and costumed re-enactors bring to life the women who helped shape 18th-century North America. For more information, please contact Mindi Rambo at 212-668-2208 or mindi_rambo@nps.gov.

Celebrating the Life of Dolley Todd

(Pennsylvania) — Independence National Historical Park and the National Constitution Center celebrate Dolley Madison: America’s First Lady. In honor of Women’s History Month and the enduring legacy of Dolley Todd Madison, the Todd House will be open for special tours on Monday, March 8 between 1 and 5 p.m. Built in 1775, the Todd House was occupied from 1791 to 1793 by lawyer John Todd and his wife, Dolley Payne. Following her husband’s death in 1793, Dolley married James Madison. At 6 p.m., the National Constitution Center hosts Dolley Madison: America’s First Lady, a 90-minute portrait from PBS’s American Experience. Following the screening, there will be a short conversation with executive producer Catherine Allan, producer and director Muffie Meyer, writer Ronald Blumer, and historian Holly Shulman, director of the Dolley Madison Project at the University of Virginia. For more information, please contact Jane Cowley at 215-597-0060 or visit www.nps.gov/inde.

King of the Lobby: Sam Ward, Longfellow’s Friend of Half a Century

(Massachusetts) — Author Kathryn Allamong Jacob, curator of manuscripts, Schlesinger Library at Harvard University, speaks about her newest book, King of the Lobby: The Life and Times of Sam Ward, Man-About-Washington in the Gilded Age. Ward was a statesman, orator, and author and one of Henry Longfellow’s closest friends. Ward’s major impact on American history, however, came from his role as a lobbyist in Washington. Book sales and signing to take place on Wednesday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Longfellow Carriage House. Please call 617-876-4491.

Night Prowl at Sandy Hook

New Jersey — Set out from the Sandy Hook Visitor Center to explore a habitat on a nighttime hike from 7 to 9 p.m. on March 13. For more information, please call 718-354-4606 or e-mail GATE_Public_Affairs@nps.gov .

Eighteenth-Century Tea and Fashion Show

(New York) — On Sunday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m. in the Saratoga Town Hall, numerous volunteers and staff from Saratoga National Historical Park will present an afternoon tea and fashion show. The show will feature clothing worn by lower, middling, and upper class men, women, and children of the late 1700s. The program (Project Runaway) will also include music and visual images to enhance the atmosphere of the time. A social “tea”

follows, in which treats using original 18th-century recipes will be served. The event is a “Friend-Raiser” cosponsored by the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield. For more information, please contact Gina Johnson, Chief of Interpretation, at 518-664-9821 ext. 227.

Grand Canyon Hosts Third Annual Alternative Spring Break

(Arizona) — Grand Canyon National Park will host the third annual Alternative Spring Break program sponsored by the Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with American Eagle Outfitters. Grand Canyon is the only site hosting an SCA Alternative Spring Break program this year. The program gives college students the opportunity to spend their spring break volunteering in one of America’s iconic national parks.

Students will work with park and SCA staff on a variety of projects directly leading to the preservation and protection of Grand Canyon’s natural and cultural resources. The two one-week sessions begin on March 15. For more information, please contact Kassy Theobald, Restoration Biologist, Grand Canyon National Park, at 928-638-7857 or kassandra_theobald@nps.gov.

Puzzles of Dorchester Heights: Washington Ends the Siege of Boston

(Massachusetts) — Historians agree that placing artillery on the hills of the Dorchester peninsula was decisive in forcing the British military to evacuate Boston on March 17, 1776. But why had it taken so long for either army to seize that high ground? What was General Washington’s role in setting strategy? And what other factors were important at the end of the siege? Dr. Robert Cameron Mitchell, professor emeritus, Clark University, presents this talk on Wednesday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Longfellow Carriage House. Please call 617-876-4491.

Return to Battle of Monmouth Via Archeology

(Pennsylvania) — On Thursday, March 18, 2010, archeologist Dan Sividich presents “Archaeology at Monmouth, the Battle after Valley Forge.” On June 28, 1778, the two great armies of the American Revolution clashed on the plains of Monmouth Courthouse in the largest battle of the war. By using metal detectors, computer mapping, and new field techniques, archeologists have established previously undocumented aspects of the conflict, including the location of Proctor’s Artillery, the gun to which Molly Pitcher attended. The presentation, part of the Friends Lecture Series at the Chapel, will give the audience a comprehensive look at battlefield archaeology being conducted at Monmouth Battlefield State Park. For more information, please contact Nancy Loane at nancyloane@comcast.net.

First Bloom Garden Ceremony

(Louisiana) — Since last fall, students from Thibodaux, Louisiana, and the surrounding area have participated in the national First Bloom program at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The students have worked with rangers at the center, learned about native plants, and planted the gardens at the center. Stop by for some green thumb fun on March 20 as the kids put the finishing touches on their work and learn a few garden tips to take home. The garden dedication ceremony is at 11 a.m., followed by refreshments. For more information, please contact the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center at 985-448-1375.

Start of Sitka’s Centennial Year

(Alaska) — Designated Sitka National Monument on March 23, 1910, Sitka National Historical Park is the oldest park in Alaska and among the oldest in the United States. This month, the park celebrates its 100-year anniversary, with events on March 21 and 23 kicking off an entire year of celebrations. On March 21, a Raven’s Tail Robe, woven by nationally acclaimed artist Teri Rofkar, will be dedicated and presented to the park.

An original and true form of Tlingit art, these woven robes tell stories and preserve aspects of Tlingit culture. On March 23, the park will open an exhibit of historical photography by E.W. Merrill, depicting life in Sitka in the early 1900s. Dance events by Tlingit and Russian dancers are planned. Information on the centennial is available at http://www.nps.gov/sitk/100-year-anniversary.htm. For interviews, please contact Superintendent Mary Miller at 907-747-6281.

Grand Canyon National Park to Celebrate Archeology Day

(Arizona) — On Saturday, March 27, Grand Canyon National Park will celebrate Archeology Day. This event provides park visitors with the opportunity to learn more about native peoples who inhabited the Grand Canyon long ago. Visitors can gain a greater understanding of what archeologists do and how their work informs an understanding of the past.

Archeology Day will feature a series of special, family-friendly activities at Grand Canyon Visitor Center between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., including opportunities to make clay pinch pots and split-twig figurines and to “sift for artifacts.” There will also be two special evening programs associated with the event: Vanishing Treasures archeologist Ian Hough will share new archeological research in Grand Canyon on March 26, and Park Guide Jennifer Onufer will share her experiences on an archeology trip down the Colorado River on March 27. The event website is http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/arch_day.htm. For more information, please contact Libby Schaaf, Supervisory Park Ranger, at 928-638-7641.

LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour

(Texas) — On March 27, visitors to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park can go on a bicycle ride originating and ending on the LBJ Ranch. Participants may choose from a variety of routes that span seven distances from the ranch into the Texas Hill Country. The longest distance is 100 km. Pre-registration information is available on the internet at www.lbj100bicycletour.org. Luci Johnson will lead an intimate tour of the LBJ Ranch that afternoon. For more information, please contact Liz Lindig at 830-868-7128 ext. 231 or Sherry Justus at 830-868-7128 ext. 245.

Women’s History Month Program: Necessity the Mother of Invention (West Virginia) — Women of Harpers Ferry employed inventions of the Industrial Revolution in their everyday lives. Special exhibits and demonstrations at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will feature the town’s manufacturing and technological advances in such areas as gardening, preserving food, and manufacturing fabric. The Women’s History Month Program will take place on March 27 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Lower Town. For more information, please call 304-535-6224.

Celebrate Spring at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve!

(Louisiana) — In the Barataria Preserve’s wild wetlands, enjoy “Spring in the Swamp” on Saturday and Sunday, March 27 and 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Try canoeing on a brief paddle with a ranger. Meet underwater creatures via dip net, and explore the trails on guided walks. “Spring in the Swamp” is free.

For more information, please contact Jim MacDonald 504-689-3690.

Historian David Hackett Fischer to Speak on American Revolution New York — Acclaimed historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Hackett Fischer, a distinguished Professor at Brandeis University, will deliver the annual Aronson Memorial Lecture about the American Revolution at 2 p.m. on March 27 at St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site. For more information, please contact Mindi Rambo at 212-668-2208 or mindi_rambo@nps.gov.

2010 Snow Surveys Begin at Yosemite

(California) — Yosemite National Park has begun its 2010 snow surveys.

Measurements are collected four times per year at carefully chosen locations called snow courses. Snow surveys reflect varying levels in precipitation based on climate and changes in climate. The final snow survey is April 1. For more information, please see an online source for the California Cooperative Snow Surveys, http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/index.html. Also for more information, please contact Jim Roche at Jim_Roche@nps.gov or 209-379-379-1446 or Niki Nicholas at 209-372-0472.

Meet Abydosaurus mcintoshi

(Colorado, Utah) — Researchers working in Dinosaur National Monument have excavated fossil remains of a previously unknown dinosaur, Abydosaurus mcintoshi, a large plant-eater. The fossils include the only complete sauropod skull in the Western Hemisphere from the last 80 million years of the Age of Dinosaurs—a rare and informative find. For more information, please contact Dan Chure at 801-703-1267.

NC Traditions on the Air

(North Carolina) — The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA) is partnering with WNCW radio to develop and broadcast a new series called Living Traditions Moments. These two-minute vignettes, which will air on Fridays just before 8 p.m., highlight stories about the people and traditions of the North Carolina mountains and foothills and about how these treasured traditions are being kept alive. For more information, please contact Kathleen Callahan Durcan, Assistant Coordinator for National Heritage Areas, 202-354-2268.

Exploring the Home Port: New Bedford Whaling Premieres Television Series

(Massachusetts) — On February 14, 2010, during a celebration of the 192nd birthday of Frederick Douglass, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park premiered the first episode of its new television series, Exploring the Home Port. The first episode, “The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass in New Bedford,” explores Douglass’s life in New Bedford, including his escape, name change, work, and political activities. The episode will air on New Bedford Cable Access throughout the month of March. Future episodes will explore diverse themes and stories associated with the park. For more information about New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, please call

508-996-4095 or visit www.nps.gov/nebe.

New Bedford Whaling Expands Costumed Interpretation

(Massachusetts) — Lucy Bly and Judy Roderiques, seasonal rangers at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, bring the 1850s to life each month as Ruth and Abby, the wives of former whalers. This special program had previously run during summer only. Bly and Roderiques have carried out extensive research, and focus on a distinct topic or area each month.

Recent appearances have included demonstrations of needlework, stories from around the world about monsters of the sea, and the moral dilemma of the

Fugitive Slave Law and abolitionism. For more information about New

Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s programs, please call

508-996-4095 or visit www.nps.gov/nebe.

Quest for Treasure

(Ohio) — A new type of treasure hunt is coming to the Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway, which stretches from Cleveland through Akron and Canton to New Philadelphia. Volunteers and teachers are needed to get the new family-oriented recreational program off the ground. Questing involves following a rhyming trail of charming clues and a curious map to find a hidden box. Participants log their finds and collect unique stamps in passport-like booklets while gaining a richer sense of place. For more information, please contact Kathleen Callahan Durcan, Assistant Coordinator for National Heritage Areas, at 202-354-2268.

Yosemite to Study Sky-Island Flora

(California) — In 2010-2012, Yosemite National Park staff will be conducting a botanical inventory of the park’s sky-island floras. These specialized plant communities occupy dry, cold plateaus at the crest of the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite south to Sequoia-Kings Canyon. The plants of these sites are highly vulnerable to the drying and warming predicted by many climate forecast models. Data gathered from this project will assist park managers in protecting resources. For more information, please contact Alison Colwell at Alison_Colwell@nps.gov or 209-379-3295 and Niki Nicholas at 209-372-0472.

Commemoration of Women’s History Month

(Pennsylvania) — Visitors to Independence National Historical Park are invited to celebrate Women’s History Month 2010. A free program will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays in March at 2 p.m. in the Franklin Court Underground Museum. This program, led by a park ranger, highlights the contributions of women to the founding of our nation. For more information, please contact Jane Cowley at 215-597-0060 or visit www.nps.gov/inde.

Hike in the Footsteps of Revolutionary War Soldiers (New Jersey) — The Jockey Hollow and New Jersey Brigade areas of Morristown National Historical Park offer 27 miles of trails through the historic encampment site of George Washington’s army. Winter brings the opportunity to hike or snowshoe to replicas of soldier huts and to envision the sacrifices made by the 10,000 Continental Army soldiers encamped there during the hard winter of 1779 to 1780. The park’s revised, full-color brochure includes trail routes, topography, photos, and descriptions of the hikes, which range from the easy Primrose Brook trail to the strenuous New Jersey Brigade trail. For more information, please contact Jamie Keller, Acting Chief of Interpretation, at 973-539-2016 ext. 210.

New Bedford Whaling NHP Begins 13-Week Volunteer Training Course

(Massachusetts) — New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is currently offering a free 13-week course on local history and culture as well as on the basics of customer service and connecting visitors with the park. Although geared towards current and potential volunteers, the course is open to any member of the public interested in learning more about the local area. There are workshops on the history of whaling, historic structures within the boundaries of the park, the basics of interpretation, and front-desk training and customer service. There is also a crash course on themes and a special training for those planning to assist with educational programs. For more information about New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s volunteer program, please call 508-996-4095 or visit www.nps.gov/nebe.

Woodcock Watch

New York — Come to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge to attend a short indoor presentation and then watch the remarkable American woodcock perform his courtship display in the evening dusk. For more information, please call

718-354-4606 or e-mail GATE_Public_Affairs@nps.gov.

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Boston African American National Historic Site

America’s Best Idea: National Park Getaway

Sean Hennessey, Boston African American NHS, Sean_Hennessey@nps.gov,

617-242-5616

Elise Cleva, NPS Headquarters, Elise_M_Cleva@nps.gov, 202-208-6843

February 24, 2010

BOSTON – In a day in which air travel has transformed trans-Atlantic and cross-country voyages from matters of months into matters of hours, the term “journey,” designating a displacement that takes a goodly length of time and presents challenges, doesn’t appear in statements like “My spring break journey to Florida is coming up” or “To attend the meeting in Denver, I’ll have to go on a business journey.” Rarely do we use the word literally. Instead, we speak of our journey on the road of life or of a spiritual journey. The notion of traveling far and encountering joys, sorrows, and emotional plateaus along the way often serves us as a vehicle for talking about experiences that span years, test us, and give us chances to stop and feel satisfied.

It is appropriate, then, to refer to the history of 19th-century African Americans in the city of Boston as a journey. For more than a century, members of Boston’s black community fought segregation, opposed slavery, worked, and made their homes on Beacon Hill.

You might not know just how fitting it is to allude to the journey of the city’s African Americans until you visit Boston African American National Historic Site, where you can learn the story of this group of people by making a journey of your own on the Black Heritage Trail ®.

"At a time when national symbols of democracy are more important than ever, and when the story of our nation must be told, many important marking points of that story are right here in Massachusetts," said Boston African American National Historic Site Superintendent Cassius Cash. "I encourage you to journey to Boston and experience your America."

Boston African American NHS is the 37th National Park Getaway in a series that introduces readers each week to a new place to reconnect with nature, history, family, and friends. This week, the Getaway article provides an orientation in advance of a walk on the Black Heritage Trail ®. Read it to find out where the trail begins and ends and what you can see while following it. Also check out the Getaway for background information about 19th-century Boston and the history of the city’s African American residents prior to the 1800s. Read, too, to hear the story behind the Lewis and Harriet Hayden House—a tale that threatened an explosive ending!

To read previous Getaways, please visit www.nps.gov/getaways. This archive of feature stories includes articles about Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site—articles that, like this week’s, help readers to know the journey of black history in the United States.

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Contact: Dan Chure

Phone Number: (801) 703-1267

Date: February 23, 2010

A New Dinosaur Rears Its Head in Dinosaur National Monument

A team of paleontologists from Dinosaur National Monument, Brigham Young

University, and the University of Michigan has announced the discovery of a

new, large, plant-eating dinosaur, Abydosaurus mcintoshi, (pronounced Ab-id

-o-saurus mak-in-toshi). The discovery is described this week in the

on-line first section of the science journal Naturwissenschaften.

The fossil remains were excavated from the 105-million-year-old Cedar

Mountain Formation in Dinosaur National Monument. The new find contains

rare and spectacular fossils, including the only complete sauropod skull in

the entire Western Hemisphere from the last 80 million years of the Age of

Dinosaurs.

“Because skulls are made up of many thin and fragile bones they are easily

destroyed and rarely preserved. So although more than 120 species of

sauropods have been discovered across the globe, complete skulls are

extremely rare.” said Dr. Dan Chure, paleontologist at Dinosaur. “However,

skulls are complex structures that provide a great deal of information

about the dinosaur’s biology and evolution, so they are extremely

important. You can hardly overstate the significance of these fossils.”

“Discovering a complete sauropod skull is remarkable. I’ve been collecting

dinosaurs since the age of 14, and these complete skulls are the most

spectacular fossils I’ve had the opportunity to work on” said BYU

researcher Brooks Britt. “All the Abydosaurus fossils we have collected to

date are juveniles, only a mere 25 feet or so in length. How large a fully

adult individual was is unknown but it was certainly much larger. Although

we haven’t found a complete skeleton yet, hope springs eternal in

paleontology and we will continue excavations this summer.”

University of Michigan researcher Jeff Wilson and his graduate student John

Whitlock studied the feeding adaptations of Abydosaurus. Wilson noted that

“Sauropods, one of the most diverse and long lived lineages of dinosaurs,

are surprising in that they show none of the adaptations seen in other

plant-eating dinosaurs, such as beaks for slicing or cheeks to hold in food

while chewing. Yet in spite of the lack of any specializations, they were

around for 150 million years and are the largest land dwelling animals in

the history of life.” Whitlock added, “Abydosaurus is from a time period

when titanosauriform sauropods began to develop a slimmer tooth shape from

the broader teeth of their ancestors. This change in tooth shape is related

to changes in diet in a way we are only just beginning to understand, in

part because we haven’t always had the fossils to tell the whole story.

Abydosaurus is the right dinosaur at the right time to answer some of these

questions."

This announcement is the result of a several years of research, beginning

with excavations started in the late 1990s. The site contains not just one

individual but the remains of a group of sauropods, at least four

individuals and likely more since additional fossils are still in the

ground. Most parts of the skeleton are present: neck and tail vertebrae,

shoulder blades, pelvis, arms, legs, hands, feet, and four skulls — two

complete and two incomplete.

The excavation and preparation of this new dinosaur’s remains has been a

collaborative effort among the National Park Service, volunteers, students,

paleontologists, academic institutions, and outside researchers. The new

fossils are being prepared and stored at the Paleontology Museum at Brigham

Young University in Provo, Utah.

What’s in a name?

Scientific names are often a mouthful, but each has a meaning. So what

does Abydosaurus mcintoshi mean? The generic name Abydosaurus refers to

Abydos, the Greek name for the city along the Nile River (now El Araba el

Madfuna) that was the burial place of the head and neck of Osiris, Egyptian

god of life, death and fertility—an allusion to the skull and neck of the

new dinosaur, which was found in a quarry overlooking the Green River in

Dinosaur National Monument; sauros is the Greek word for lizard. The

specific name mcintoshi honors the paleontologist Dr. Jack McIntosh, for

his many contributions to the study of sauropod dinosaurs and his decades

of assistance to Dinosaur National Monument and Brigham Young University.

What is the title of the paper and where is it available?

Abydosaurus mcintohsi is described in Chure, D.J., Britt, B.B., Whitlock,

J., and Wilson, J.S. 2010. First Complete Sauropod Dinosaur Skull from the

Cretaceous of the Americas and the Evolution of Sauropod Dentition.

Naturwissenschaften. A copy of the paper is freely available and can be

downloaded at http://www.springerlink.com/content/100479/.

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                                                    Date: February 23, 2010

                                       Contact: Hugh Vickery (202) 208-6416

                                         Jeffrey Olson, NPS, (202) 208-6843

 Despite Economic Downturn, Americans and Foreign Visitors Flocked to Our

                          National Parks in 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ten million more Americans and foreign tourists visited the nation’s national parks last year than in 2008, a 3.9 percent increase that marked the fifth busiest year ever for the National Park System, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today.

“People both here and abroad know that our national parks are America’s best idea, even during an economic downturn,” Salazar said. “Our national parks are treasures that tell the story of our country and celebrate its beauty and culture, and they provide vacation bargains for families living on a tight budget. They offer priceless opportunities to inspire adults and children alike with our wonderful natural, cultural and historic heritage.”

“In an increasingly sedentary society, our parks give parents a place to connect their children with nature and learn to appreciate the good feelings that come from healthy green exercise,” he said.

More than 285 million people visited national parks and other units of the National Park System during 2009, up from just under 275 million in 2008.

This fell just short of the all-time visitation record of 287.2 million in 1987.

Possible reasons for the increase in visitation include three weekends last summer when the Park Service waived entrance fees, the visits by President Obama and his family to Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, the publicity generated by Ken Burns’ documentary on the history of the national parks, a decline in gasoline prices, and the continued strong exchange rate the Euro enjoys against the dollar.

Salazar highlighted the benefits national parks provide to our economy. A study released today revealed that the National Park System supports more than 223,000 jobs and nearly $14 billion in economic activity across the country.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park continued its reign as the most-visited national park in 2009, attracting 9.4 million visitors, while the Blue Ridge Parkway was the most visited unit of the system with nearly 16 million visitors.

The top 10 most visited national parks were:

      ·    Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 9,491,437 visitors

      ·    Grand Canyon National Park, 4,348,068

      ·    Yosemite National Park, 3,737,472

      ·    Yellowstone National Park, 3,295,187

      ·    Olympic National Park, 3,276,459

      ·    Rocky Mountain National Park, 2,822,325

      ·    Zion National Park, 2,735,402

      ·    Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 2,589,288

      ·    Grand Teton National Park, 2,580,081

      ·    Acadia National Park, 2,227,698

                                    ###

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News Release

February 18, 2010

Contact: David Barna, 202-208-6843, david_barna@nps.gov

New Firearms Law Takes Effect Monday

National parks now subject to state and local firearms laws

WASHINGTON – A change in federal law effective Monday, February 22, allows firearms in many national parks. People who can legally possess firearms under federal and state law can now possess those firearms in the national parks in that state. The new law (Sec. 512 of P.L. 111-24) was passed by Congress and signed last May by the President.

Prior to February 22, firearms have generally been prohibited in national parks – except in some Alaska parks and those parks that allow hunting.

State and local firearms laws vary. Visitors who would like to bring a firearm with them to a national park need to understand and comply with the applicable laws. More than 30 national parks are located in more than one state, so visitors need to know where they are in those parks and which state’s law applies.

“For nearly 100 years, the mission of the National Park Service has been to protect and preserve the parks and to help all visitors enjoy them,”

National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis said. “We will administer this law as we do all others – fairly and consistently.”

Federal law continues to prohibit the possession of firearms in designated “federal facilities” in national parks, for example, visitor centers, offices, or maintenance buildings. These places are posted with “firearms prohibited” signs at public entrances. The new law also does not change prohibitions on the use of firearms in national parks and does not change hunting regulations

Park websites have been updated to include links to state firearms laws to help visitors understand the law and plan accordingly.

-NPS-

Sec. 512 of P.L. 111-24, an amendment to the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act of 2009, also directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to follow state and local firearms laws in national wildlife refuges.

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Contact: David Barna (NPS) 202-208-6843

David_Barna@nps.gov

Secretary Salazar Commends British Columbia and Montana for Agreement to

Protect the Flathead Valley

Washington, DC – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today commended an agreement between the governments of British Columbia and Montana to strengthen protections for the Flathead River Basin and the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.

“This agreement is an historic milestone for the protection of the Flathead Valley and the extraordinary natural wonders that it contains,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “We would not have come this far if it were not for the leadership of people like Senator Baucus, who has worked tirelessly for so many years to protect the Flathead River for future generations. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Baucus, Governor Schweitzer, Senator Tester, and others in Montana and Canada to build a long-term strategy to protect these incredible resources on both sides of the border.”

The Flathead River flows south from British Columbia into the United States

and forms the western boundary of Glacier National Park. This action adds

significant protections to an area that has already been identified as having global significance. Together with Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park was the world’s first transboundary park when it was created in 1932.

# # #

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