Natural History Wanderings

 Alt National Park Service reports

NPS is planning to dip into entrance fees to expand operations as the partial government shutdown stretches into a third week. There was an order Saturday allowing managers to bring on staff to patrol open parks, clean bathrooms, and collect trash. The move comes after several deaths in accidents at the understaffed parks since the shutdown began. One death at Yosemite National Park went unreported for at least a week. It’s a shame that the GOP was willing to risk the American public’s safety for politics. Only after several deaths is the GOP listening that NPS employees are essential! You can’t leave the parks open without staff!

Read related National Park Service News Release at https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/updatelapse.htm

Read NPR Story at National Park Service Expands Operations During Government Shutdown which further explains limits and details of expanded park operation.