Alaska Outdoor News

Wrangell St Elias Subsistence Resource Commission to meet in Slana and Copper Center

2012-02-26T14:21:00.000-08:00

Copper Center, AK - The Wrangell-St. Elias NationalPark Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC) will meet at the Slana Community Corporation building in Slana on February 27 and at the Wrangell-St. Elias Visitor Center in Copper Center on February 28 to consider a range of issues related to subsistence hunting and fishing in the park. The Slana Community Corporation building is on the 4-Mile Road, approximately ½ mile north of the junction with the Nabesna Road. The hall is a blue building on the right as you drive north.

Commission business will include an update the Nabesna Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, an opportunity to comment on an Environmental Assessment on the Subsistence Collections and Uses of Shed or Discarded Animal Parts and Plants from NPS Areas in Alaska, and an opportunity to develop proposals to change federal subsistence fisheries regulations.The meeting is open to the public, and public testimony opportunities are provided. Written comments may also be submitted through the park subsistence coordinator by February22nd for presentation at the meeting.

The meeting will begin in Slana at 9:30 AM on Monday, February 27, and will recess for the day at 5 PM. There may be an evening session at the call of the chair. On Tuesday, February 28, the meeting will reconvene in Copper Center at 9 AM and adjourn when business is completed. If the commission business is completed on Monday, the SRC will adjourn and not meet on Tuesday.

Please click Here for a draft agenda.

Additional information may be obtained by calling Barbara Cellarius, subsistence coordinator for Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, at 822-7236.

2013 Proposed Cruise Ship Quotas

2012-02-25T14:18:00.000-08:00

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In 2003, the National Park Service (NPS) completed a Vessel Quota and Operating Requirements Environmental Impact Statement (VQOR EIS). Subsequent regulations delegated the authority to set annual cruise ship quotas to the park superintendent. The VQOR EIS Record of Decision (ROD) states that the determination of whether to increase seasonal use-day quotas for cruise ships will rely on criteria that define the environmental and social conditions to be met before any additional seasonal use-days are approved.

In 2004, an independent Science Advisory Board (SAB) was appointed to assist in determining and recommending studies that better define these environmental and social conditions. In 2005, the SAB made recommendations for priority research and several studies were implemented. In 2009, SAB members, principal investigators, and NPS managers met to review results of the first suite of studies. Their assessment indicated that the original impact analyses from the VQOR EIS remain accurate. However, the SAB identified important information gaps that require investigation. Ongoing studies that address these information gaps include those examining cruise ship effects on air quality, soundscape, marine wildlife, and the Huna Tlingit relationship to their ancestral homeland.

Based on the scientific information available at this time, the Superintendent has proposed that the 2013 seasonal use-day quota for cruise ships remain unchanged from the 2012 levels. For the June, July, and August summer season the quota would be set at 153 use days. The May and September shoulder season quota would be set at 92 use days. The year-round daily quota for cruise ships remains at two per day in accordance with the 2003 VQOR EIS ROD and existing regulations.

The NPS is soliciting public comment on the proposed day use quota. Comments will be accepted until close of business on February 29, 2012. You may read more about the proposal and submit comments by visiting the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/

Or by email to: glba_public_comments@nps.gov

Or by regular mail at the following address:

Susan L. Boudreau, Superintendent

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

P.O. Box 140

Gustavus, AK 99826

National Park Service Seeking Comments on Horseshoe LakeTrail Project

2012-02-24T14:16:00.000-08:00

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DENALI PARK, Alaska: The National Park Service (NPS) intends to evaluate the impacts of making improvements and additions to the Horseshoe Lake Trail.The current trail to the picturesque Horseshoe Lake is approximately 1.5 miles long, and is very popular with park visitors.The lake provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, and visitors walking on the trail have opportunities to see moose, beaver, and several bird species. The footpath was constructed in 1940 as the park's first established trail. The trailhead is located at the railroad crossing on the Denali Park road (Mile 1).

Sections of the trail are in poor condition. There are steep sections that are difficult for many visitors, and portions are eroding due to inadequate drainage.A network of social trails has developed around the lake and throughout the area, creating additional erosion and damage to sensitive wildlife habitat, including beaver dams and lodges.

Proposed changes may include:

·rehabilitation of social trails

·reconstruction of the existing Horseshoe Lake Trail to improve trail surface and drainage

·construction of a new loop trail to the Nenana River and around Horseshoe Lake

Extending the trail to the Nenana River and around Horseshoe Lake would provide increased hiking opportunities for visitors and consolidate use, allowing the web of social trails to be rehabilitated.Maps showing proposed routes are available at the website below.

The NPS invites the public to submit written comments by Monday, March 19, 2012. Comments may be submitted online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/dena, faxed to 907-683-9612, or mailed to:

Superintendent

Denali National Park and Preserve

ATTN:Horseshoe Lake Trail

P.O. Box 9

Denali Park, AK99755

For additional information about the proposal please contact Dan Ostrowski, Project Lead at 907-683-9557 or e-mail us; or Paula Homan, Project Planning Lead, at 907-683-6223 or e-mail us.

11th Overflights Advisory Council Meeting

2012-02-23T14:12:00.000-08:00

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The eleventh meeting of the Denali National Park Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council is taking place on Monday, February 27 and Tuesday, February 28, from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm at the Marriott Residence Inn Midtown, located on 1025 E. 35th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska.

On February 27th, the public is invited to participate with council members in a work session to map out air traffic patterns over Denali National Park. The council will hold a more formal meeting with presentations from members and agency staff the following day.

The Denali National Park Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council advises the Superintendent, through the Secretary of the Interior, on mitigation efforts that should be made to reduce the impacts from aircraft overflights at Denali National Park and Preserve. The group is developing voluntary measures for assuring the safety of passengers, pilots, and mountaineers and for achieving desired future resource conditions at Denali that were outlined in the 2006 Backcountry Management Plan. Council membership contains broad representation of interested stakeholders and has a balance of local, state, and national interests.

Information on the Advisory Council can be found athttp://www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/currentprojects.htm.

Information on Denali's 2006 Backcountry Management Plan is located athttp://www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/gmp.htm.

For additional information on the meeting, please contact Miriam Valentine at 907- 733-9102 or via email.

National Park Service Seeking Input on Plowing Denali Park Road Beyond Headquarters in Winter

2012-02-22T14:11:00.000-08:00

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DENALI PARK, Alaska: The National Park Service (NPS) intends to evaluate the impacts of plowing the Denali Park Road between park headquarters (Mile 3) and the Mountain Vista Rest Area (Mile 12) during the winter season.The NPS is interested in providing additional opportunities for winter visitors to the park, while protecting park resources and values. Plowing the road beyond park headquarters would allow private and commercial vehicles to travel further into the park to provide mountain viewing and increased recreational opportunities.

An informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Murie Science and Learning Center in Denali National Park.Members of the public are invited to share their ideas and concerns about the proposal with park staff.

Currently the park road is closed to vehicular traffic beyond park headquarters after the first significant snowfall occurs (usually in October).During the winter one lane of the road is maintained so the road crew can manage the overflow ice that occurs between Mile 4-7.The other lane is not plowed. Both lanes are available for use by dog teams, cross country skiers, snowshoers, and other winter recreationalists. Spring road opening begins in mid-March, and the road is generally open to the public as far as the Savage River (Mile 15) by early April, and to the Teklanika River Rest Area (Mile 30) by mid to late April.

The NPS invites the public to submit written comments by Friday, March 9, 2012. Comments may be submitted online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/dena, faxed to 907-683-9612, or mailed to:

Superintendent

Denali National Park and Preserve

ATTN:Winter Road Plowing

P.O. Box 9

Denali Park, AK99755

For additional information about the proposal please contact Paula Homan, Project Planning Lead, at 907-683-6223 or paula_homan@nps.gov.

Special Denali Subsistence Meeting on February 23

2012-02-21T14:09:00.000-08:00

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DENALI PARK, Alaska: The Denali National Park Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC) will hold a special meeting via teleconference on Thursday, February 23, beginning at 1:00 pm.The purpose of the meeting is to develop SRC comments on the Environmental Assessment (EA) on "Subsistence Collections and Uses of Shed or Discarded Animal Parts and Plants from NPS Areas in Alaska." This document evaluates alternatives for managing subsistence collecting of shed or discarded animal parts and plants to make handicrafts for personal or family uses, for barter, or to sell.

The meeting is open to the public and opportunities for public testimony will be provided. Teleconferencing into the meeting can be arranged by calling the National Park Service (NPS) at 907-683-9544 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Written comments may also be submitted to Amy Craver by Wednesday, February 22 for presentation at the meeting.

The EA is out for public review through April 7, 2012. The EA is posted on the NPS Planning site athttp://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=1&projectID=35955&documentID=45478.

Park seeks students for summer YCC positions

2012-02-20T11:04:00.000-08:00

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Sitka National Historical Park, (February 17, 2012)- Sitka National Historical Park will be hiring students for the Youth Conservation Corp this summer. Duties may include greeting visitors at the park visitor center and Russian Bishop's House, assisting with cultural or natural resources, or helping with the maintenance division.Hires will work 40 hours a week, eight to ten weeks, and be paid $10.00 per hour. Please note, this program is limited to students ages 15 to 18.

Park Visitor Center Closed for Washington’s Birthday

2012-02-19T11:02:00.000-08:00

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Sitka National Historical Park, (February 17, 2012)- The Visitor Center and Russian Bishop's House units of Sitka National Historical Park will be closed for Washington's Birthday, a federal holiday, on Monday, February 20, 2012. The park trails will remain open during the regular winter trail hours of 7a.m. to 8 p.m.

Washington's Birthday is the last of these federal holidays before the summer season; the park will be open every day, including holidays, for the summer season.

The Visitor Center is currently open from 8a.m. to 5p.m., except for weekends when it is closed Saturday for lunch from 11a.m. to noon and all day Sunday. The Russian Bishop's House is closed for winter operations, but tours are available through special arrangements. For details, please contact the park Visitors Center, (907) 747-0110.

Celebrate Winterfest 2012

2012-02-18T14:15:00.000-08:00

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Denali National Park and Preserve and the Denali Borough communities are celebrating Alaska's longest season during Winterfest 2012 on Friday, February 24 - Sunday, February 26. This long-running community-wide event features an array of activities, with something for all ages, interests, and abilities! View the schedule.

Festivities kick off on Friday, February 24 at the McKinley Park Community Center with a dessert potluck at 6:30 pm, followed by a square dancing extravaganza with the Lost Dog String Band from Fairbanks at 7:30 pm. Instruction will be provided, so there's no excuse not to dance! The Community Center is located on the "Old Parks Highway" spur road at Mile 230 Parks Highway.

The National Park Service hosts a wide variety of activities on Saturday, February 25 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at or near the Murie Science and Learning Center. The day's offerings include sled dog rides, ice carving demonstration, presentation by story teller Jack Dalton, ranger-guided snowshoe walk, snow sculpting contest, and a 5K family fun run/walk/ski/bike. Hot drinks and light refreshments are provided and a selection of park-related publications will be available for sale.

Saturday events continue in Healy, with chili cookoff at 4:00 pm, a free community chili feed beginning at 5:00 pm and a hockey game with the Healy Coal Queens at 6:00 pm. The evening will culminate with the second annual "Denali's Got Talent!" competition beginning at 6:30 pm. These activities are taking place at the Tri-Valley Community Center at Mile 0.5 on the Healy Spur Road (Mile 248.8 Parks Highway).

Meals, lodging and other services are available year-round in the communities of Healy and Cantwell. The park's Riley Creek Campground is open for free camping. A vault toilet is provided for winter campers and water can be obtained at the Murie Science and Learning Center.

Winterfest is made possible with the assistance of Alaska Geographic, Denali Borough, Denali Borough School District, Denali Education Center, Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture, National Park Service, and Princess Tours. Winterfest information is available on the park website orwww.denaliborough.com or by calling Denali National Park at 907- 683-9532 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm daily.

National Park Service to Burn Debris Piles in Denali

2012-02-18T14:08:00.000-08:00

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DENALI PARK, Alaska: Fire Management staff at Denali National Park and Preserve will burn piles of debris consisting of trees and brush when weather conditions permit beginning Saturday, February 18 through May 31, 2012. The piles are situated at four locations, including sites near the Denali Park Road and in the backcountry. Smoke may be visible in areas near the debris piles, and from the Denali Park Road, Parks Highway, and aircraft.

Burn pile site locations:

Admin Road - ¼ mile east of the McKinley Park landing strip (Mile 1 on the park road),approximately ½ mile northwest of the park road entrance.

Toklat Road Camp - Mile 53 on the park road, on the Toklat River approximately ½ mile north of the road.

Lower Windy Creek Patrol Cabin - Approximately 2.5 miles north of the Cantwell Airport, west of the Jack River and the Denali Park boundary.

Parker Cabin - On Moose Creek approximately 7.5 miles east of Kantishna and 5 miles north of the park road.

NPS Fire Management staff will be monitoring the burning on site. Each pile is expected burn for 3-4 days. The material being burned is debris from hazard fuel reduction treatment (fire protection) around structures, brushing along the park road, and maintenance projects in the park.

Sitka National Historical Park’s February 23rd Evening Program

2012-02-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

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Sitka National Historical Park, (February 13, 2012)- Due to unforeseen circumstances, Sitka National Historical Park's February 23^rd Evening Program, Mysteries on Monastery Street with Nancy Yaw Davis, has been canceled.

Refuge Notebook Brings Natural Science to Life in Alaska

2012-02-15T15:52:00.000-08:00

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Every week for 13 years, staff at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska have been giving science writing

a good name.

Their vehicle: 800- to 1,000-word observations on refuge life and work

that they take turns writing for a local daily newspaper. The result – the

Kenai Refuge Notebook, each installment of which appears on the refuge

website – is as distinctive as its followers on this south Alaska

peninsula.

Subjects may be familiar (hunting or snow) or specialized (thermal

imaging). But the perspectives are fresh, and the insights often

surprising. Consider these accounts published over the last year:

Biologist John Morton’s account of three nunataks – exposed

glacial ridges at risk of losing their uniqueness as wildlife oases as the

climate warms.

Entomologist Matt Bowser’s light piece about building a library of

insect DNA codes to offer another measure of environmental change. (“The

whole idea,” he jokes, “is to work myself out of a job.”)

Graduate student Rebecca Zulueta’s observations of interactions

between bears and humans. (One lesson from her survey of local attitudes

on bears: “The fact that many Alaskans also have large, intimidating dogs

definitely added unwanted excitement to my experience until I learned to

bring along dog treats.”)

And game warden Chris Johnson’s musings about wily scofflaws (like

the fisherman who hid a fresh-caught rainbow trout in his pants) and the

wilier officers who catch them.

The weekly newspaper column was conceived by ecologist Ed Berg in 1999,

who thought it would be a good refuge outreach tool. He spoke to Lori

Evans, then editor at the Peninsula Clarion. They struck a deal.

“She gave me this advice,” says Berg. “‘Think of it as a personal letter

you’re writing to a friend you haven’t seen for some time.”

The informal tone that resulted has become a hallmark of the column, Berg

says. Column writers also tend to share a contagious enthusiasm for the

Alaska landscape and a willingness to laugh at themselves. Take Morton’s

aside about a recovered nunatak specimen: “We also collected one

terrestrial mite (Erythraeus tonsus) which eventually made the front cover

of the June 2010 issue of the International Journal of Acarology. I know

that’s a lot of excitement to handle in one newspaper article, but you’ll

be even more impressed to note that it was regarded as a ‘monstrosity,’ a

genetic anomaly which resulted in a 10-legged (rather than 8) mite. OK,

this is even nerdier than guys in Antarctica who name their band Nunatak.”

Will Morrow, the Clarion’s current editor, inherited the column from Evans

in its first year, and he’s still a fan. “It’s generally very well

written,” he says, of the Notebook. “It’s such a diverse thing. Sometimes

it’s a biologist or ecologist writing, sometimes one of the law

enforcement folks, sometimes one of backcountry rangers, so there’s always

something different in there.”

When Berg retired in 2010, John Morton succeeded him as Notebook editor.

“I think it’s incredibly valuable,” says Morton. “I’m trying to get

everyone on staff to write.”

Although the Notebook strives for a lighter tone, it provides serious

information as well.

For example, two different speakers at a public hearing this year cited a

Notebook piece to argue why the state of Alaska might want to consider

moth control rather than wolf control to boost moose populations. (Shrub

damage by moths means less forage for moose to eat in winter.)

By and large, says Morrow, “because of the way [the stories] are written,

it’s hard to argue with them. They’re written from the science.”

Denali: 2012 Research Fellowship Application Deadline is 2/15/12

2012-01-31T17:13:00.000-08:00

The National Park Service and the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) are seeking applicants for two research fellowships that are available to individuals wishing to conduct research in Denali National Park and Preserve and national parks in Alaska. The deadline for applications is February 15, 2012, and a decision is expected to be made within the following two weeks. The fieldwork of fellowship program recipients must be arranged before September 1, 2012.

The Discover Denali Research Fellowship is for research in or near Denali, and the Murie Science and Learning Center Fellowship is for research taking place in Denali or other arctic or subarctic Alaska national parks. Both fellowships are designed to assist graduate students, but may be appropriate for college and university faculty, state and federal agency scientists, undergraduate students, and private-sector researchers. Proposals for research that will help managers make decisions about critical resource issues are particularly encouraged. If an applicant wants to be considered for both funding sources, only one application is needed; however, only one fellowship may be received per applicant. More than one fellow is expected to be selected for each program.

Applications for 2012 fellowships will be considered for funding requests up to $8000, to be used over one or two years. Any previous fellow may reapply, but is not assured of additional funding.

An information guide about either of the fellowships, which includes specifics on how to apply and other information helpful to the application process, may be downloaded. For more information contact Denali's Research Administrator Lucy Tyrrell at 907-683-6352 or lucy_tyrrell@nps.gov.

International Year of Forests Film Festival

2012-01-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

Sitka's International Year of Forests Film Festival

Sitka National Historical Park (January 23, 2012): The Sitka Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest and Sitka National Historical Park will present the fourth and final week of films celebrating the International Year of Forests starting on January 26th at the park's Visitor Center Theater.

Thursday January, 26th

Find Your Inspiration

7:00 p.m.

Play Again: This film investigates the consequences of a childhood removed from nature. At a time when children spend more time in the virtual world than the natural world, Play Again unplugs a group of media savvy teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure, documenting the wonder that comes from time spent in nature and inspiring action for a sustainable future. (80 minutes)

Saturday, January 28th

Find Your Inspiration

2:00 p.m.

Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for our Time: The first full-length, high-definition documentary film ever made about legendary environmentalist Aldo Leopold, Green Fire highlights Leopold's extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects all over the country that connect people and land. (73 minutes)

All presentations are free and open to the public. Both the Thursday and Saturday programs will take place at the Sitka National Historical Park Visitor Center Theater.

For more information please contact: Darrin Kelly at (907)747-4280 or dpkelly@fs.fed.us. You may also contact Becky Latanich at becky_latanich@nps.gov (907)-747-0132.

For more information on the event please visit http://www.nps.gov/sitk/planyourvisit/events.htm

For more information on the International Year of Forests please visit http://www.celebrateforests.com

Nikon ProStaff 3 & ProStaff 5 Rangefinders Video Interview at SHOT Show!

2012-01-26T18:07:00.000-08:00

We have a lot of SHOT Show Video Interviews coming out today, so I’m going to keep on rolling them out as quick as I can. Here we have our second interview with Nikon representative Jon LaCorte. Jon shows Steve two new rangefinders displayed by Nikon at SHOT Show. Both models are part of the Nikon ProStaff line of products, and will give you quality performance at a great price.

Watch as Jon first shows off the Nikon Prostaff 3 Rangefinder. With one button operation, it doesn’t get much easier to operate, and it has a very fast processor for quick range finding. This is really important when you’re out hunting and finally spot a buck after hours of waiting. You won’t want to miss that shot because you were waiting for the rangefinder to figure out the distance. It has a great range of about 550 yards, and the optics are nice and bright, so you’ll have no trouble seeing your intended target. 6x power is just right for finding distance, and the tough construction is both waterproof and fog proof, so you don’t need to worry about it breaking on you when you need it!

The Nikon ProStaff 5 Rangefinder was even more impressive. The ProStaff 5 is actually a fair bit smaller than any other Nikon Rangefinder, and as Steve points out, though you may not think about the size very often, it makes a big difference when you’re trying to put it in or take it out of a pocket. While the overall size of the Nikon ProStaff 5 is smaller, they made the ocular bigger, so you’ll have an easier time seeing your target. An additional feature that really sets the ProStaff 5 apart is the LED illumination. This LED can be turned on with a single button press, and your reticle will be illuminated for easier use. This is especially welcome in the morning or evening, when light is scarce.

I’ve been really impressed so far with everything Nikon brought to SHOT Show this year. I’ll have another video interview with Jon LaCorte up soon that talks about the Nikon Monarch 3 and Monarch 5 binoculars, so stay tuned!

http://www.opticsplanet.com/gearexpert/nikon-prostaff-3-prostaff-5-rangefinders-video-interview-at-shot-show-810

Seeking Applications for Sitka National Historical Park 2012

2012-01-26T17:29:00.000-08:00

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Sitka National Historical Park (January 20, 2012): Sitka National Historical Park is
accepting applications now through March 1, 2012, for its summer 2012 Artist-in-Residence
Program. For more than a century, the park has fostered the preservation and perpetuation of
Southeast Alaska Native arts. The Artist-in-Residence program builds upon that tradition by
offering park visitors and the community an opportunity to see Alaska Native heritage through
the eyes of contributing artists.

Sitka National Historical Park will host two visiting artists skilled in traditional Southeast Alaska
Native arts. Each residency will last two months, the first beginning in May and the second in
July. The selected artists will work alongside long-term resident artists Tommy Joseph and
Charlie Skultka.

The selected artists will work in the park’s studio a minimum of 32 hours per week and will be
required to present two 45-minute public presentations. Housing during the residency will be
provided at no cost and a one-time, taxable award of $750.00 will be offered to each selected
artist.

A panel of professional artists, park staff, and park partners will judge the applicant pool.
Selections are made on the basis of a written statement of purpose for residency and samples of
artistic work.

Interested artists may obtain more information and download an application by accessing the
park's website at www.nps.gov/sitk, or by calling (907) 747-0132, or by e-mail
(becky_latanich@nps.gov). If requesting an application by mail, applicants should provide a
complete postal mailing address. D

Applications Open for 2012-2013 Researcher-in-Residence Program

2012-01-25T17:28:00.000-08:00

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DENALI PARK, Alaska: The National Park Service and the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) are seeking applicants for two accomplished scientists to conduct research in Denali National Park and Preserve. Each Researcher-in-Residence will spend a month or more in the park, conducting self-directed fieldwork and sharing their expertise with park staff and visitors.

The Researcher-in-Residence program facilitates the sharing of knowledge and resources between academic scientists and Denali resources staff, interpreters, and visitors. The program is designed to provide funding for tenure-track faculty, but may also be appropriate for state and federal agency scientists or private-sector researchers. Up to $10,000 is available per recipient for research, and an additional $8,000 may be available for the subsequent creation of educational outreach products. Fieldwork must take place in 2012, 2013, or over both years.

The application deadline is March 10, 2012. A decision is expected to be made by March 20, or soon thereafter.

Information about the Researcher-in-Residence program, including specifics on how to apply and other information helpful to the application process, may be downloaded fromwww.nps.gov/dena/naturescience/research.htm. For more information, please contact Murie Science and Learning Center coordinator Sierra McLane at 907-683-6436 or sierra_mclane@nps.gov.

The Chugach National Forest will not be accepting new proposals for outfitter and guide uses for the 2012 summer and winter operations

2012-01-23T14:50:00.000-08:00

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Notification to prospective Outfitter and Guide Special Use applicants for commercial use of the Chugach National Forest
Not accepting new proposals for 2012
The Chugach National Forest will not be accepting new proposals for outfitter and guide uses for the 2012 summer and winter operations.

2013 application and proposal submittals will be accepted for new outfitter and guide services on the Cordova, Glacier, and Seward Ranger Districts by the following due dates:

Summer outfitter/guide requests are due by the close of business on February 1
Winter outfitter/guide requests are due by the close of business on September 1

Please keep in mind submittal by these due dates does not guarantee a permit will be issued. We will continue to receive proposals after these dates, however, any proposals received after the due date may not be processed in time for the upcoming operating season. If you would like further information about outfitter and guiding Special Use Permits, contact the Chugach National Forest office at 743-9500, or click here.

2012 Artists-in-Residence Announced

2012-01-22T13:24:00.001-08:00

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Three visual artists and three writers were selected from over 300 applicants to participate in this year's Artist-in-Residence program at Denali National Park and Preserve. Deborah Bouchette, Trine Bumiller, Kim Heacox, Marybeth Holleman, Rika Mouw, and Linda Schandelmeir will each have the opportunity to experience and be inspired by the park during summer 2012. They will stay at the historic East Fork cabin, where they can look out onto the braided channels of the East Fork River, multi-colored rock formations of Polychrome Mountain, and the snow-capped peaks of the Alaska Range.

Deborah Bouchette is a painter from Hillsboro, Oregon. Her drawings and paintings appear abstract, but they incorporate sound, beat, wave, and reverberation as metaphors for experiencing life. During her residence at the park, Deborah plans to create map-like seismographic records to recall the ordered chaos of animal tracks and the flock-and-flight patterns of birds. She also will make an audio journal of the park's unique natural chatter.

Inspired by the environment, Trine Bumiller of Denver, Colorado creates multi-paneled oil paintings of abstracted and recombined images by using layers of transparent glazes. She draws inspiration from the environment, and while in Denali she plans to record the landscape, weather and plant life with sketches, watercolors and photographs to develop into a series of paintings.

Kim Heacox of Gustavus, Alaska is a writer, photographer, musician and conservationist. He is the author of eight books, and numerous articles that have appeared in a wide range of publications. His most recent title, "The Only Kayak", a memoir about finding home in Alaska, was a 2006 PEN SA Literary Award finalist in creative non-fiction. His writing often focuses on the interplay between mankind and the natural world, the power of place and community, and the importance of critical thinking.

Marybeth Holleman from Anchorage, Alaska is the author of The Heart of the Sound and co-editor of Crosscurrents North. Her essays, poems, and articles have appeared in dozens of journals and anthologies and been heard on National Public Radio. She writes, "I like to work at the edges of nature and culture. I'm endlessly inspired by the intricate relationships of the natural world, and seek to illuminate what I find there, to see what hasn't been seen, to awaken wonder."

Rika Mouw, from Homer, Alaska has been a studio artist and jewelry designer for over 30 years. She has recently transitioned from working with metal to almost exclusively using organic materials such as wood, shell, stone, bone or fibers. As a passionate environmental advocate, her work mostly speaks about issues relating to human dependency on, reverence for or disregard of the natural environment.

Writer Linda Schandelmeier has lived in the Fairbanks, Alaska area for over 40 years. She is the author of Listening Hard Among the Birches, a book of poetry published in 2002. Her poems have appeared in many journals and anthologies, and she received a Rasmuson award to work on her second book, Homestead, about the 160-acre homestead near Anchorage, Alaska, where she was raised. "I write because it compels me to see the world around me more clearly, and because it helps me make sense of both the exterior and interior landscape," she states.

"We are pleased to offer these talented individuals the opportunity to immerse themselves in Denali," said Superintendent Paul Anderson. "The work they will create from their intensive experience in the park will be a source of inspiration to all who view or read their work."

Each artist will offer a public presentation for visitors during their residency. They will also each donate a work inspired by their time in Denali to the park's collection. Pieces created by artists-in-residence from previous years will be on display in the Denali Visitor Center, Eielson Visitor Center, and the Murie Science and Learning Center during the 2012 visitor season. Information about the public presentation schedule as well as an online gallery of artist-in-residence artwork is available atwww.nps.gov/dena/historyculture/artist-in-residence.htm.

The Artist-in-Residence program is a national program that enables established artists to reside in a park while they create park-related art. Artists have played a significant role in raising public awareness of the natural wonders preserved within the National Park System and the need for their protection since the creation of Yellowstone, the first national park.

This is the 11th year of the Artist-in-Residence program at Denali National Park and Preserve. A total of 35 artists, including 21 from Alaska, have participated in previous summers.

Artists interested in applying for the 2013 season are encouraged to visitwww.nps.gov/dena/historyculture/arts-program.htm for information and to apply. The call opens on May 1, 2012.

SHOT Show 2012 Day 1 Recap - OpticsPlanet.com

2012-01-18T15:13:00.000-08:00

http://youtu.be/REQkTumHMDc

Live from the Convention Floor – Day 1 Recap for SHOT Show 2012

Man, what a day! If the theme of yesterday was just burning through ammo and shooting some cool guns, today it was checking out a lot of the equipment that goes on those guns (and of course the gear every hunter and sports shooter is going to want badly in 2012!)

We saw some really great stuff from Bushnell, including 4 high definition models of their popular Trophy Trail Camera line. Surefire showed off a variety of tactical lights and weapon lights, including a green laser version of the X400 we know a lot of people have been clamoring for.

We got a chance to see the new Leupold VX-R Zombie Rifle Scope, for any of you out there preparing your ultimate bug out bag, and see a prototype of the Burris Eliminator III laserscope – something you’ll see Trevor was really excited about! There’s so much to cover – be sure to watch our daily recap video to see what we covered today. Full length interview videos will be coming as soon as we can get them out!

-Alessandro

Alessandro is super busy on the floor of SHOT Show, but he gave me the lowdown on some of the great products he saw today, so I’m going to give you a bit more info so he can continue interviewing the representatives from the show.

Bushnell is Bringing High Definition to Trail Cameras

Alessandro briefly mentioned the new additions to theBushnell Trophy line of trail cameras. The biggest advancement is the improved video quality, as the cameras are now in HD, but there are other great features added to the updated Trophy cameras. A nice touch is the addition of a date, time, temperature, moon, name and GPS stamp, so you know all the details of the conditions for a picture that has an amazing buck. It’s fully programmable from 5 to 60 second recording intervals, and the battery lasts for 1 year! You can choose widescreen or full screen images and video as well, so there will be a lot of versatile uses for these trail cameras. All these features and it has the best camera Bushnellhas put in a trail cam yet!

Leupold Takes on Zombies with a New VX-R Scope

Leupold doesn’t want you to be amongst the walking dead when the zombie plague is upon us, so they’vecome out with the VX-R Zombie Riflescope. To be clear, the VX-R isn’t just some novelty scope. It has some awesome features, and Leupold didn’t hold back when it came to quality. As with many of Leupold’s Scopes, the VX-R Zombie Scope allows you to make quick and easy finger click adjustments, the glass is stellar, and it’s waterproof. There’s a good chance you’re going to be running for your life from a zombie horde at some point, and if you get a little wet before turning around to quickly take down a zombie you’re going to be glad your rifle scope is waterproof. Check out the pic. There are a bunch of neat little design touches that really make the VX-R Zombie stand out. I really like the insides of the lens caps. Don’t forget that zombies love BRAINS!!!

Vortex Takes Aim at the Rangefinder Market

Vortex has been designing super tough optics for a while now. They always give you a phenomenal value, with many scopes having features you would normally only find in much more expensive models. That’s why is great to see them get into the rangefinder business! The Vortex Ranger 1000 is a great compact rangefinder. As the name implies, it will find you a range up to 1000 yards, but it’s also small enough that you won’t mind carrying it along on a hunt. A really nice feature that we liked is the belt clip. As it’s a pretty rugged rangefinder you don’t need to worry about always keeping it in a case or storing it in your bag. The Ranger 1000 will be right there on your hip; ready at a moment’s notice!

State of the Art Shooting with the Burris Eliminator III

I love that you can see the genuine excitement from Trevor for the Burris Eliminator III Riflescope. Well, there’s good reason: this is a sweet scope with a ton of cool features! First, the glass and construction of the Eliminator III is outstanding. That’s always necessary for successful shooting, but what really sets the Eliminator III apart is the technological advancements inside. This laser riflescope ranges up to 1200 yards, and the bullet drop compensator (BDC) works at any magnification! That’s huge, as it allows shooters to accurately adjust for distance much quicker than with traditional methods. This Burris Scope not only compensates for distance, but you can also input the ballistic coefficient of your bullet for maximum accuracy. The new X96 reticle makes it easier to compensate for wind, so you shouldn’t have any trouble hitting your target. Clearly, Trevor is happy about it. I bet you will be too!

There were a few more cool products shown off yesterday, but words won’t do them justice. We’re working on some full videos from SHOT Show so you can see all the great features of new products by Safariland, ATN, Steiner and more! Stay tuned. There’s a lot more coming!

http://www.opticsplanet.com/gearexpert/live-from-the-convention-floor-day-1-recap-for-shot-show-2012-455

Northern 1980 Additions to Denali National Park and Preserve Now Open to Snowmobiling for Traditional Activities

2012-01-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

DENALI PARK, Alaska: Recent storms have brought additional snow to the park, and the Superintendent has determined that there is now adequate snow cover for the use of snowmobiles for traditional activities in all of the 1980 additions to Denali National Park and Preserve. The open areas include the park and preserve additions north and south of the crest of the Alaska Range.

Riders are reminded that all lands within the former Mount McKinley National Park on both the north and the south sides of the crest of the Alaska Range are closed to all snowmobile use by federal regulation. Maps with GPS coordinates for the park and preserve boundary are available on the park website at www.nps.gov/dena/parkmgmt/park-boundary-info.htm.

Overall, riding conditions are variable. It is the rider's responsibility to avoid locations where wind or topographic conditions may have reduced snow depth and created situations where damage to vegetation or soils could occur, or where vegetation is taller than the protective snow cover.

Riding conditions are potentially very dangerous due to recent snowfall and high winds. Avalanche hazard is high due to wind crusts and layers in the snow pack. It is important to avoid steep slopes, narrow valleys, and ravines. There are many areas of thin ice or open water on rivers.

Winter weather in the Alaska Range can change very quickly and become severe, with high winds and temperatures well below zero. Park rangers stress the importance of bringing survival gear on all trips into the backcountry and informing friends or relatives of your travel plans. Remember to assess local conditions before venturing into the backcountry.

Regulations and information regarding snowmobiling in Denali National Park and Preserve is available on the web at www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/snowmobiling.htm.

The Murie Science and Learning Center is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm as the winter visitor center, providing visitor information and backcountry permits. Additional information is available on the park website at www.nps.gov/dena or by calling (907) 683-9532 between 9:00 am - 4:00 pm daily.

Change to Denali National Park and Preserve Entrance Fee

2012-01-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

DENALI PARK, Alaska: Effective January 1, 2012, Denali National Park and Preserve will collect only the $10 per person entrance fee for visitors age 16 and older. The $20 per vehicle fee has been eliminated, because the park does not collect the fee at an entrance station as the majority of national parks do. The fee is valid for seven days.

The park will continue to honor the Interagency (IA) Federal Recreational Passes such as the Annual, Senior, and Access Pass, and the Denali Annual Pass. These passes all provide entry for the cardholder and up to three other adults, and they are all sold year-round at Denali National Park.

The Senior and Access IA Passes are good for a lifetime, and can also be obtained by mail. The Access Pass (for U.S. Citizens with permanent disabilities) is free, and the Senior Pass (for U.S. citizens age 62 or older) is $10. Information on how to obtain these passes by mail is posted at http://store.usgs.gov/pass. There is an additional processing fee for applications done via mail.

The IA Annual Pass is $80 and is available on-line at http://store.usgs.gov/pass. It is valid for one year.

The Denali National Park Annual Pass costs $40 and is valid for one year for entry into Denali National Park. It is only available for purchase at the park, i.e. it is not available by mail.

The majority (80%) of the fees collected remains in the park, and is used for pre-approved projects that improve visitor services and facilities. The remaining 20% is used for similar projects in parks that don't collect an entrance fee, or for funding agency-wide efforts such as Youth Corps Programs.

Applications Open for 2012 Research Fellowship Programs, Denali National Park and Preserve

2012-01-06T18:21:00.000-08:00

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The National Park Service and the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) are seeking applicants for two research fellowships that are available to individuals wishing to conduct research in Denali National Park and Preserve and other arctic and subarctic Alaska national parks. The Discover Denali Research Fellowship is for research in or near Denali, and the Murie Science and Learning Center Fellowship is for research taking place in Denali or other arctic or subarctic Alaska national parks.

The deadline for both fellowship applications is February 15, 2012 and a decision is expected to be made by March 1, or soon thereafter. The fieldwork of fellowship recipients must be arranged before September 1, 2012.

The Discover Denali and the MSLC Fellowship Programs are designed to assist graduate students, but may be appropriate for college and university faculty, state and federal agency scientists, undergraduate students, and private-sector researchers. Proposals for research that will help managers make decisions about critical resource issues are particularly encouraged. If an applicant wants to be considered for both funding sources, only one application is needed; however, only one fellowship may be received per applicant. More than one fellow is expected to be selected for each program. Any previous fellow may reapply, but is not assured of additional funding.

Applications for 2012 fellowships will be considered for funding requests up to $8000, to be used over one or two years.

An information guide about either of the fellowships, which includes specifics on how to apply and other information helpful to the application process, may be downloaded online. For more information contact Denali's Research Administrator Lucy Tyrrell at 907-683-6352 or via email.

This is the seventh year that the Discover Denali Research Fellowship has been available for Denali researchers. It is the fifth year that the Murie Science and Learning Center research funds will be available to researcher-applicants whose studies help managers in all of the parks that are partners with the MSLC: Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Denali National Park and Preserve, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park, Noatak National Preserve, Wrangell - St. Elias National Park and Preserve, and Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve.

The Discover Denali Fellowships are made possible through proceeds from Discover Denali, an MSLC program developed in partnership between the Denali Education Center and the National Park Service. The Discover Denali program educates Royal Celebrity Tours participants about Denali's natural and human history. The Denali Education Center is an NPS park partner that fosters understanding and appreciation of Denali through informative and inspiring programs.

The Murie Science and Learning Center Research Fellowships are made possible through the partnership between Alaska Geographic and the National Park Service. The Murie Science and Learning Center provides research, discovery, and learning opportunities within arctic and subarctic National Parks to promote appreciation and caring for our natural and cultural heritage. As part of its mission to connect people with their public lands, Alaska Geographic provides staffing and funding toward MSLC operations.

Fortymile Caribou Hunt Closed in a Portion of Game Management Unit 20E

2012-01-05T18:19:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Correction: An earlier version of this news release incorrectly listed the state Fortymile caribou hunt in Unit 25C as closed south of Crooked Creek Fork and south and east of Birch Creek.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska —A portion of the winter federal subsistence hunt for the Fortymile Caribou Herd in Game Management Unit 20E closed on Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. The closure affects that portion of Unit 20E south of an east–west line passing through Milepost 112.6 (Fortymile Bridge) on the Taylor Highway.

The Bureau of Land Management’s Eastern Interior Field Office Manager Lenore Heppler took this action because of the lack of Fortymile caribou in the area as well as the ready access to Nelchina and Mentasta caribou (the Taylor Highway has remained driveable). The Nelchina quota has already been exceeded, and there is no open season on Mentasta caribou. Consultation on the closure was conducted with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Tok and Glennallen, Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge, National Park Service and local subsistence hunters.

The state and federal winter season for Fortymile caribou remains open in Unit 20E north of MP 112.6 on the Taylor Highway. No changes have been made to the Fortymile caribou season in other parts of the hunt area. In Unit 25C all federal lands remain open for federally qualified residents to hunt the Fortymile herd. The state portion of the Fortymile caribou hunt remains open in Unit 25C south of Crooked Creek Fork and south and east of Birch Creek,and south of the Chatanika River drainage in Unit 20B.

For additional information, contact Eastern Interior Field Manager Lenore Heppler at 907-474-2320 or lheppler@blm.gov. The Fortymile Caribou Hotline phone number is (907) 267-2310.

Glacier Bay from Above

2011-12-30T20:44:00.000-08:00

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