News From America's Parks

State Pushing its Plan to Thin Federal Elk Herd

Unhappy with federal alternatives, the State Game and Fish Department is pushing its own plan to thin an overpopulated elk herd at North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Northwestern Hawaiian Isles Might Met U.N. Designation

The Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands could become the second United Nations World Heritage site in Hawaii, joining Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Full Slate of Activities this Month at Saguaro National Park

A series of programs are under way at Saguaro National Park. Explore the natural and cultural history of the park. Come along on a naturalist-led evening walk or join a local expert for a presentation in the visitor center. Programs will be offered at both districts. There is no charge for interpretive programs, but park entrance fees apply.

Park Service Rolls Out Bike Sharing

About 300 National Park Service employees have the opportunity to get around D.C. in an environmentally-friendly way.

In a one-year demo program between the NPS and Lousiville, Ky.-based Humana Inc., the health-benefit company is giving 30 bikes to NPS employees to help them cut down on auto gas emissions.

A Plan for Stimulus Money: National Parks

There are any number of things that could be done with the upcoming, huge stimulus package to put Americans back to work and and improve infrastructure. About $2.5 billion of that could go to our national parks, says the National Parks Conservation Association, and they have a plan.

Explore Rocky Mountain National Park during the Winter

For many visitors, winter is their favorite season to enjoy Rocky Mountain National Park. The park is less visited but still very much open and alive with activity. Beautiful backcountry areas can be reached on snowshoes, skis and (at lower elevations) even with hiking boots.

Swarm of Earthquake Activity Over For Now at Yellowstone National Park

The notable swarm of earthquakes that started December 26, 2008, beneath Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park has stopped for now and may have ceased entirely.

Can't Get to D.C. for Inauguration Day? Consider These Historic Alternatives

Shortly after Election Day, I had a terrific idea: I would take my son out of school and travel to Washington to witness the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as the first African-American president of the United States. Alas, it stopped being a terrific idea around the same time that 4 million other Americans came up with the same one.

Obama's Chili Recipe

By now it's a well-known fact that Hillary doesn't bake cookies, but Barack has been known to brag about his chili, and today Good Morning America ran the recipe.

Obama Family Chili Recipe

1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
Several cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey or beef
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground basil
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Several tomatoes, depending on size, chopped
1 can red kidney beans

Saute onions, green pepper and garlic in olive oil until soft.

Add ground meat and brown.

Combine spices together into a mixture, then add to ground meat.

Add red wine vinegar.

Add tomatoes and let simmer, until tomatoes cook down.

Add kidney beans and cook for a few more minutes.

Serve over white or brown rice. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.

Colorado Section of Vast Bike Network is 1,000 Miles

More than 1,000 miles of the 50,000-mile bikeway being spliced together throughout North American lies in Colorado.

The Colorado portion is part of the Great Parks section, which includes 2,518 miles from Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, to Mesa Verde National Park outside of Durango.

Ranchers Oppose Yellowstone Bison Relocation

Ranchers are voicing concern about plans to relocate some Yellowstone Park bison to Indian reservations in Montana and Wyoming.

The ranchers are worried about the animals' history of carrying brucellosis, a disease that causes domestic cows to miscarry.

A Trip to Yosemite National Park via YARTS is a Must for Valley Residents

The YARTS bus sped up Highway 140 from Merced into the foothills. It passed Mariposa and stopped at the entrance to Yosemite National Park. A sign read, “Chains required.”

The driver parked, and deftly fitted the chains over the tires. A horde of enthused travelers lined up outside the bus, but there were no more seats. Instead of turning them away, the kindly driver allowed them to board the bus and stand in the aisle for the remaining 13 miles of the trip.

Nene Killed on the Road in Haleakala National Park

An adult nene was killed on the road at Haleakala National Park on Dec. 28. Motorists traveling to the park are asked to drive slowly and cautiously.

Visitors reported the dead nene to Visitor Use Assistant Tony Manion at 7:30 a.m. Park Ranger Chad Riggin retrieved the dead nene from the road near mile marker 16.

Life's a Beach: U.S. Virgin Islands are Calling You

Don't just sit there. Pick a destination and plan a vacation, maybe to someplace a little exotic, where national parks come with tropical beaches, and boats rather than big RVs are a common mode of transportation.

You can enjoy all that without fretting over currency exchange rates or making sure that your passport is up to date if you head to a little paradise called the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cities Give 'Green' Light on Parking Perks for Hybrid Drivers

Many hybrid car owners, who often get tax credits and special use of HOV lanes, are getting another perk: parking privileges.