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Sunday, March 27, 2016

National Park Madness: Final Four!

We are down to the final four national parks in the 2016 National Park Madness.  Surprises in every region. In the South, Valley Forge shocked Brown vs. the Board of Education. Out West, Chickasaw stunned heavily favored Crater Lake. In the Midwest, Fort Stanwix upset the higher ranked Shenandoah, while Cape Lookout won the East regional.

So, who are you pulling for in the finals? Who is going to take home the crown in National Park Madness 2016?

Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Yellowstone Grizzlies: a bright or cloudy future?

Yellowstone Grizzly and Cub: NPS
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently announced its intention to remove federal protections for the Yellowstone Grizzly bear. The grizzly bear was put on the endangered species list when its population plummeted to less than 150 individuals. After more than 40 years of federal protection the number of Yellowstone grizzly bears is now roughly 700.

The USFWS believes it's time to remove federal protection and allow the surrounding states of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana to take a greater role in the animals' management.

What is the USFWS plan for the bears' long-term survival? What are the ramifications of lifting federal safeguards? Is the Bears' future rosy or gloomy? We will look at these questions and more on this edition of National Park Talk.


The episode can be found here. Or at the YouTube link below.

To submit comments on the USFWS' Yellowstone Grizzly Bear plan please click here.

 
 
Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers
 

Monday, March 21, 2016

Park Madness: Sweet Sixteen!

The National Park Madness tournament marches on to the finals! The first two rounds have been
exciting with a few stunning upsets! Who could have predicted the upstart Shiloh sending the juggernaut Isle Royale home in the first round? As expected however, all the number 1 seeds including Shenandoah, Kansas vs. the Board of Education, Crater Lake, and Cape Lookout all dispatched their first two opponents.

Surprise parks making it to the third round include Lake Roosevelt, Fort Stanwix, St. Croix, and Lincoln's Boyhood home. Plenty of exciting clashes lay ahead!

Is your team still in the hunt to be Champs of Park Madness? You are you pulling for?



 
Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

National Park Madness 2016

 
If it's March it must be time for National Park Madness. National Park Thrillers has taken the 2016 NCAA March Madness basketball tournament and customized the teams to represent their respective parks.
 
In the West Crater Lake (Oregon) takes the number 1 seed, out East its Cape
Lookout (UNC). Brown vs. the Board of Education (Kansas) takes the top spot in the South, while Shenandoah (Virginia) leads in the Midwest.  Other big parks like Yosemite, Death Valley, and Everglades made the big dance. However, the field is also well represented by smaller parks like John Muir, Effigy Mounds, New River Gorge, and Lake Roosevelt.

So who do you got in Park Madness 2016! Tell us in the comment section below!
 
 

 





Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Focus on Funding: A Deal with the Devil?


In this episode of National Park Talk, Sean Smith looks at the ramification of the Park Service's and conservation groups focus on park funding.  The strategy has positives but does it also have costs?

Parks have seen increases in funding over the past decade, going from roughly $2 billion in 2006 to over $3 billion today.  However, when adjusted for inflation, the buying power of the Park Service budget hasn't really increased over the past ten years.

Moreover, what deals must be made to secure more funding for the parks? National Park Talk will explore these questions and pull back the curtain on the long-term ramifications of a Deal with the Devil.

The National Park Talk podcast for March 13, 2015 can be found here.


Or at the YouTube Icon below.

Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers

Saturday, March 5, 2016

National Park Talk: National Parks, America's Best Idea?

On this episode of National Park Talk we look at National Parks as America's best idea. Some say yes, but a growing chorus say no. National Parks they argue shut people out, attract the wrong people, and are built on a racist past.

But Park Thrillers author Sean Smith says these critics miss the point of national parks and yes they are our best idea.

The National Park Talk podcast from March 5, 2016 can be found here.

Or on YouTube at the icon below.





Sean Smith is a former Yellowstone Ranger, and an award winning conservationist, TEDx speaker, and author. He writes national park thrillers from his home in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park. To learn more about his thrillers click here or follow him on twitter: @parkthrillers