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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Down To Earth

Parks in peril

After Ken Burns’ documentary, a new report on the most endangered parks due to climate change should be a wake-up that we could lose our most vital, preserved natual wonders. 

According to Grist, “the 25 most endangered parks are being threatened by dramatic declines in snow and water, by rising seas, extreme weather, the disappearance of native plants and wildlife, and by the onslaught of nonstop, human-generated pollution. The changes have already begun. Warmer temperatures have killed as many as 90 percent of the pinon pines in Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park. Grizzly bear birth rates are in decline in Yellowstone National Park along with the whitebark pine tree, which is being threatened by infestations of mountain pine beetle.”

 

 

Read HERE. The National Parks in Peril will raise awareness and look at recommendations for saving our parks. Full list after the jump, and one of our favorites, Glacier, obviously made the cut.

 

 

Acadia National Park (Maine) - the majestic coastal shorelines are in danger from stronger storms and higher seas, heavy rain and floods, air pollution, overcrowding, and loss of snow/ice, plants, and animals.

Assateague Island National Seashore (Md./Va.) - this bird-watching paradise—and its wild ponies—are at risk from stronger storms and higher seas, heavy rain and floods, air pollution, overcrowding, and loss of plants and animals.

Bandelier National Monument - the historic pueblo homes, other native architecture, and its surrounding wildlife are in jeopardy from heavy rain and floods, and loss of snow/ice, water, plants, animals, and cultural resources.

Biscayne National Park (Fla.) - the 207 square miles of crystal clear water and its marine life are threatened by stronger storms and higher seas, heavy rain and floods, intolerable heat, overcrowding, and loss of plant, animals, fishing, and cultural resources.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore (N.C.) - these barrier islands may struggle to stay afloat because of stronger storms and higher seas, heavy rain and floods, overcrowding, and loss of plants and animals.

Colonial National Historical Park (Va.) - the swampy marshes that surround historic colonial Virginia may be harmed by stronger storms and higher seas, heavy rain and floods, and loss of cultural resources.

Denali National Park and Preserve (Alaska) - the more than 7 million acres of wilderness—including Mount McKinley—and wildlife are most threatened by heavy rain and floods, and the loss snow/ice, water, plants, and animals.

Dry Tortugas National Park (Fla.) - the seven islands surrounded by a coral reef and sunken treasure are at the mercy of stronger storms and higher seas, heavy rain and floods, and loss of plants and animals.

Ellis Island National Monument (N.Y./N.J.) - the island that was the first stop for millions of immigrants “yearning to be free” could be history thanks to stronger storms and higher seas, heavy rain and floods, and air pollution.

Everglades National Park (Fla.) - this marshland and its already fragile ecosystem could be overwhelmed by stronger storms and higher seas, heavy rain and floods, intolerable heat, and loss of native plants and animals.

Glacier National Park (Mont.) - this once glacier-packed park is in danger of melting due to heavy rain and floods, and loss of snow and ice.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tenn./N.C.) - these heavily forested mountains with their rich biodiversity are at risk from heavy rain and floods, overcrowding, air pollution, and loss of snow/ice, plants, and animals.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (Ind.) - the sand dunes—some more than 100 feet tall—and their rich diversity are eroding in the face of heavy rain and floods, overcrowding, air pollution, and loss of snow/ice, water, plants, and animals.

Joshua Tree National Park (Calif.) - the arresting rock formations in this desert landscape, and of course the namesake Joshua trees (U2 anyone?) are at risk from heavy rain and floods, air pollution, intolerable heat, and loss of plants and animals.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Nev./Ariz.) - this desert lake surrounded by unique plants is in danger from heavy rain and floods, intolerable heat, air pollution, and loss of water and plants.

Mesa Verde National Park (Colo.) - the park that is home to the remarkable Anasazi cliff dwellings may succumb to heavy rain and floods, loss of snow/ice, water, plants, animals, and cultural resources.

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.) - the home of the Cascade Mountain range’s highest peak (and its glaciers) is in danger from heavy rain and floods, overcrowding, and loss of snow/ice, water, plants, and animals.

Padre Island National Seashore (Texas) - this coastal park, containing the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, is at risk from stronger storms and higher seas, heavy rain and floods, air pollution, overcrowding, and loss of plants and animals.

Rocky Mountain National Park (Colo.) - this park, home to at least 60 mountains over 12,000 feet in elevation is at risk from heavy rain and floods, air pollution, overcrowding, and loss of snow/ice, water, plants, and animals.

Saguaro National Park (Ariz.) - this home to the American West’s iconic giant saguaro cactus is in danger from heavy rain and floods, intolerable heat, air pollution, and loss of water, plants, and animals.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park (N.D.) - the badlands and martian-like landscape is threatened by eavy rain and floods, and loss of plants and animals.

Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument (Virgin Islands) - this scuba diving paradise is most imperiled by stronger storms and higher seas, heavy rain and floods, and the loss of animals, and fishing.

Yellowstone National Park (Wyo./Mont./Idaho) - the country’s first national is threatened by heavy rain and floods, overcrowding, loss of snow/ice, water, plants, animals, and fishing.

Yosemite National Park (Calif.) - this park’s giant sequoias and high concentration of waterfalls are at risk from heavy rain and floods, air pollution, overcrowding, and loss of snow/ice, water, plants, and animals.

Zion National Park (Utah) - the massive canyons and colorful sandstone cliffs are victims of heavy rain and floods, air pollution, intolerable heat, and loss of snow/ice, water, plants and animals.



Down To Earth

The DTE blog is committed to reporting and sharing environmental news and sustainability information from across the Inland Northwest.