Are we ready to heed the call of the wild?

The Trump Administration recently announced its plan to remove federal protection from the
endangered Gray Wolf. My op-ed on my experience with America's wolves and the history of their recovery can be found here.

The federal government is taking comments on its plan.  Please send a letter today and oppose the Trump government's efforts to delist the wolf.

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Sean Smith is an award winning conservationist and author. He is a former National Park Ranger at Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades. He is a TEDx speaker, and private pilot. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1989 with a degree in Political Science. He got his master's in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University in 1996. He currently runs Washington State's efforts to reduce and eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products and serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of Covington.

He has been writing stories and books since he was a child and currently writes national park thrillers from the shadow of Mount Rainier.  All his novels can be found here: Mr. Sean D Smith

Join the Pack and Stand Up for Wolves!

The Trump administration recently announced that its proposing to remove federal protection for the gray wolf. If this action goes through, the management of the nation’s wolf packs would devolve to inconsistent state control. Some states have already signaled they will work to dramatically reduce wolf packs, going so far as to authorizing needless trophy hunts.

The Trump administration has opened a sixty day comment period on their plans to de-list the gray wolf. Hand signed postcards can carry more weight but all comment helps.

Click the image on the right, print, sign and mail it today to raise your voice in support of wolves!

Comments must be received by May 14th, 2019.

For more information on the government's plans to de-list the gray wolf, please click here.

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Sean Smith is an award winning conservationist and author. He is a former National Park Ranger at Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades. He is a TEDx speaker, and private pilot. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1989 with a degree in Political Science. He got his master's in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University in 1996. He currently runs Washington State's efforts to reduce and eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products and serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of Covington.

He has been writing stories and books since he was a child and currently writes national park thrillers from the shadow of Mount Rainier.  All his novels can be found here: Mr. Sean D Smith

It's Past Time to Take our Parks Seriously

It's Mount Rainier's birthday today and my letter to the Tacoma News Tribune is running it the current edition.  It's time to take our park's seriously and set them on a path toward sustainability.

Mount Rainier: Anniversary gift from Congress?

By Sean Smith Covington           

March 2nd is Mount Rainier National Park’s 120th anniversary. The famed naturalist John Muir first visited the mountain in 1888, recommending it be preserved as a park.

In 1899 President McKinley signed legislation creating Mount Rainier National Park, the fifth national park designated by Congress.

We have 15 national parks in Washington. They provide history, recreation and economic opportunities and benefits. In 2017, more than 8 million visitors enjoyed them and spent $507.8 million in local communities.

However, the parks need help. There is an infrastructure repair backlog estimated at $11.6 billion nationally and $398 million in Washington ($175 million at Mount Rainier).

This includes crucial repairs to aging historical structures and miles of trails and roads, bridges, tunnels, sewers, drainage and other vital infrastructure.

There is momentum in Congress to fix our parks. The effort is led by Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, as sponsor of HR 1225 - Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act.

It would be a great anniversary gift if all other members of Washington’s congressional delegation would cosponsor this critical legislation.

Sean Smith, Covington

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Sean Smith is an award winning conservationist and author. He is a former National Park Ranger at Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades. He is a TEDx speaker, and private pilot. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1989 with a degree in Political Science. He got his master's in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University in 1996. He currently runs Washington State's efforts to reduce and eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products and serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of Covington.

He has been writing stories and books since he was a child and currently writes national park thrillers from the shadow of Mount Rainier.

All his novels can be found here: Mr. Sean D Smith

Read more here: https://www.thenewstribune.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article227001889.html#storylink=cpy

National Park Talk: Interview with Park Ranger Kevin Bacher

On today’s episode of National Park Talk, we talk with Kevin Bacher, park ranger and volunteer program manager at Mount Rainier National Park.  Kevin tells us about how he came to love national parks, where he's worked for the park system, why it’s important to protect parks, and where they might be going in the future.  To listen to the interview, please click here.

Enjoy!

To learn more about how you can volunteer at Mount Rainier National Park please click here.  To find volunteer opportunities at other national parks, please visit here.

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Sean Smith is an award winning conservationist and author. He is a former National Park Ranger at Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades. He is a TEDx speaker, and private pilot. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1989 with a degree in Political Science. He got his master's in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University in 1996. He currently runs Washington State's efforts to reduce and eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products and serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of Covington Washington.
He has been writing stories and books since he was a child and currently writes national park thrillers from the shadow of Mount Rainier.

All his novels can be found here: Mr. Sean D Smith

Books Read in 2018

It was another year spent reading a wide variety of books.  The books read span non-fiction history to political thrillers.  Once again, there were several thousand pages read, most on recent current events, but also hundreds of pages on the scientific evidence for how life started on earth and where life might exist in the Universe.  Also, a few hundreds pages spent on bubblegum political thrillers and adventure.  

Most memorable of the bunch is likely Shelby Foote's Civil War narrative Vol. 1.  It is the first volume of a three part history of the American Civil War.  Starting prior to the south's secession and concluding near the end of 1862, this first volume weaves an engaging story of the major events and players of America's bloodiest conflict.  Written in 1958, the narrative is told primarily however, from the south's point of view and paints a largely favorable view of the Southern cause.  Much additional scholarship has been done since this book was written providing a more balanced view of the war's main cause and a more complete sketch of its main actors.

Origin
Undeniable
Life in the Universe
Influence
Fire and Fury
Russian Roulette
Higher Loyalty 
The President is Missing
The Civil War: A Narrative Vol. 1 : Fort Sumter to Perryville
Indiana Jones and the Philosopher's Stone

What was your favorite read of 2018?  Let us know in the comment section.


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Sean Smith is an award winning conservationist and author. He is a former National Park Ranger at Yellowstone, Glacier, and the North Cascades. He is a TEDx speaker, and private pilot. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1989 with a degree in Political Science. He got his master's in Natural Resources Management from Central Washington University in 1996. He currently runs Washington State's efforts to reduce and eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products and serves as the Mayor Pro Tem of Covington.

He has been writing stories and books since he was a child and currently writes national park thrillers from the shadow of Mount Rainier.

All his novels can be found here: Mr. Sean D Smith