Ranger David also trained incoming NPS staff about geology and desert ecology plus wrote The Naturalist Guide to the Canyon Country, which continues to educate visitors to the Colorado Plateau. This sharing of science is a bedrock of NPS interpretation. Interpreters influence hundreds and thousands of visitors yearly which leads to a broader understanding of our complex and fragile world. National Parks and NPS employees (maintenance, clerical, law enforcement, biologists, interpreters etc.) are under siege and need all of our support. Call your representatives to protest the wanton firing and demoralization of federal employees. National Parks ARE the best idea America Ever Had—let’s work together to keep them intact and operating.
Your clever PS on legislating of a state bivalve has me feeling clammy. Without burrowing deeper than necessary, as a TESC alumni I appreciate the great lengths (and girth) of your muck-raking journalism. Keep Clam and Dig In.
I am heartbroken by the cruelty of Musk and DOGE and the cowardice and self-servicing that is rampant among the elected Republicans. I view them as traitors to our Constitution. The corruption and waste lies there and with the would-be king.
Yeah, not a happy fish. He/she would have preferred to be back down, about 150 feet deep in the water. We used a device called a descender to lower the fish back down, hopefully helping the grumpster to survive.
I couldn't agree with you more, David. It is shocking and heartbreaking that this administration has slashed the workforce of some of the most dedicated and important workers in the nation. Though I never worked for the NPS I worked as a naturalist for Seattle Parks: Carkeek, Camp Long, Discovery Park, The Seattle Aquarium and for King County Parks. I saw firsthand how teaching kids and many adults led to them becoming stewards of the land. All Federal employees need our support right now more than ever. I might never have become a naturalist if I hadn't first experienced the glory of Mount Rainier NP, or learned wonderful factoids from "science dudes" (and dudettes!) Thank you for devoting this week's column to ALL devoted Federal employees and to those who make our NPs safe, clean, and welcoming.
Yeah, totally scary and horrible what is happening. I only hope that the groundswell of opposition can stop what's happening before more damage is done.
Thank you for speaking the truth. I am devastated to see the callousness and horrible treatment shown to people who have served - often behind the scenes - our country, our ecosystems, and our people. What is remarkable is how some don't see how this callousness will continue, creating immeasurable harm. We all need to speak up. Also: had to giggle about the Great Clam Debate in Olympia. Waiting on the edge of seat in SW WA!
Right on David. Footnote on Musk: his wealth was multiplied by the billions that his companies received from governments, i.e. from taxpayers, in subsidies and contracts.
Hi David, you probably already saw this, but...just in case. Here's a video from King County Natural Resources explaining how to save coho by blocking the tire preservative from entering streams. Your book "Homewaters" is fantastic and has really turned me on to thinking about these issues.
Can you dig a little deeper and get numbers? I just read a report last week, now buried in my trash somewhere, that in one particular area there were like 750 nps workers. Only about 40 were laid off. Wish I had it to hand to give exact numbers but perhaps you have better access to the data. This is a lot of theatrics. We absolutely MUST cut the govt workers. We are bankrupt. Period. It's going to be rough on every one but a whole lot worse if they can't get a handle on the debt. This has been decades in the making and we are looking over Angel's Landing... it's a long ways down. There may not be a way out but this team is going to try. Do some financial research on the debt. Layoffs are the least of our worries... and yes I know how it affects those laid off... been there, without any severance.
Some worker at Yosemite claimed he was laid off and he was the only one with keys to the bathrooms. That is an idiotic way to run a business. You never ever have just one person responsible without backup. Why weren't there duplicate keys? Why wasn't there a set always in the office? Things like this only make the public more inclined to think poorly of govt run anything.
Ranger David also trained incoming NPS staff about geology and desert ecology plus wrote The Naturalist Guide to the Canyon Country, which continues to educate visitors to the Colorado Plateau. This sharing of science is a bedrock of NPS interpretation. Interpreters influence hundreds and thousands of visitors yearly which leads to a broader understanding of our complex and fragile world. National Parks and NPS employees (maintenance, clerical, law enforcement, biologists, interpreters etc.) are under siege and need all of our support. Call your representatives to protest the wanton firing and demoralization of federal employees. National Parks ARE the best idea America Ever Had—let’s work together to keep them intact and operating.
It was an honor and pleasure to work with you at Arches. Long live the science dudes, or whatever we called ourselves back when we were young!
Thanks for putting specificity to this kind of work. We need examples. We need to know how important this work that is being undermined is.
Yes, everyone of those people who has been laid off is a person, and not simply a faceless number, as Leon Skum and his ilk call them.
One of the most insightful questions I like to ask candidates at political forums is "What periodicals do you subscribe to?"
I now have a new question for my list. "When was the last time you visited a national park?"
Or ask them. When was the last time you drank clean water and breathed clean air?
Thanks David. Keep up the good work!
Your clever PS on legislating of a state bivalve has me feeling clammy. Without burrowing deeper than necessary, as a TESC alumni I appreciate the great lengths (and girth) of your muck-raking journalism. Keep Clam and Dig In.
I am heartbroken by the cruelty of Musk and DOGE and the cowardice and self-servicing that is rampant among the elected Republicans. I view them as traitors to our Constitution. The corruption and waste lies there and with the would-be king.
Thank you for honoring these folks. The situation is tragic.
I love that grumpy looking fish
Yeah, not a happy fish. He/she would have preferred to be back down, about 150 feet deep in the water. We used a device called a descender to lower the fish back down, hopefully helping the grumpster to survive.
I couldn't agree with you more, David. It is shocking and heartbreaking that this administration has slashed the workforce of some of the most dedicated and important workers in the nation. Though I never worked for the NPS I worked as a naturalist for Seattle Parks: Carkeek, Camp Long, Discovery Park, The Seattle Aquarium and for King County Parks. I saw firsthand how teaching kids and many adults led to them becoming stewards of the land. All Federal employees need our support right now more than ever. I might never have become a naturalist if I hadn't first experienced the glory of Mount Rainier NP, or learned wonderful factoids from "science dudes" (and dudettes!) Thank you for devoting this week's column to ALL devoted Federal employees and to those who make our NPs safe, clean, and welcoming.
Yeah, totally scary and horrible what is happening. I only hope that the groundswell of opposition can stop what's happening before more damage is done.
Thank you for speaking the truth. I am devastated to see the callousness and horrible treatment shown to people who have served - often behind the scenes - our country, our ecosystems, and our people. What is remarkable is how some don't see how this callousness will continue, creating immeasurable harm. We all need to speak up. Also: had to giggle about the Great Clam Debate in Olympia. Waiting on the edge of seat in SW WA!
Right on David. Footnote on Musk: his wealth was multiplied by the billions that his companies received from governments, i.e. from taxpayers, in subsidies and contracts.
No, no. He made it all himself without any help from the government. That's how true 'mericans (even ones who give the Nazi salute) do it.
Hi David, you probably already saw this, but...just in case. Here's a video from King County Natural Resources explaining how to save coho by blocking the tire preservative from entering streams. Your book "Homewaters" is fantastic and has really turned me on to thinking about these issues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RESCG-4SYpw
Can you dig a little deeper and get numbers? I just read a report last week, now buried in my trash somewhere, that in one particular area there were like 750 nps workers. Only about 40 were laid off. Wish I had it to hand to give exact numbers but perhaps you have better access to the data. This is a lot of theatrics. We absolutely MUST cut the govt workers. We are bankrupt. Period. It's going to be rough on every one but a whole lot worse if they can't get a handle on the debt. This has been decades in the making and we are looking over Angel's Landing... it's a long ways down. There may not be a way out but this team is going to try. Do some financial research on the debt. Layoffs are the least of our worries... and yes I know how it affects those laid off... been there, without any severance.
Some worker at Yosemite claimed he was laid off and he was the only one with keys to the bathrooms. That is an idiotic way to run a business. You never ever have just one person responsible without backup. Why weren't there duplicate keys? Why wasn't there a set always in the office? Things like this only make the public more inclined to think poorly of govt run anything.