Shenandoah National Park
Who's Who
National Park Service
The National Park Service (NPS) is the federal custodian of Shenandoah National Park. See also "Preserving Shenandoah" on pages 30—35. For information, contact Shenandoah National Park Headquarters, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835; (540) 999-3500; or visit online at www.nps.gov/shen.
ARAMARK
With over 30 years of service as the park concessioner, ARAMARK Harrison Lodging continues to provide lodging, food service, camping and grocery supplies, laundry and shower facilities, and gasoline to visitors.
ARAMARK is ranked number one in the outsourcing services category and is among the top 50 companies overall in FORTUNE Magazine's 2002 "Most Admired Companies in America." Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 200,000 employees—including almost 300 within Shenandoah—serving customers in 18 countries. For more information, please contact ARAMARK, P.O. Box 727NP, Luray, VA 22835 (800) 999-4714; or visit the website at www.visitshenandoah.com.
Shenandoah National Park Association
The Shenandoah National Park Association (SNPA) was organized in 1950 as a nonprofit organization to support the interpretive and educational programs of Shenandoah National Park. The association sells maps, pamphlets, field and trail guides, and books on the human and natural history of the Blue Ridge region. Profits are channeled back into Shenandoah primarily through support of the park's interpretive, educational and resource preservation units.
For more information or to become a member, contact the Shenandoah National Park Association, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835 (540) 999-3582; or via email: snpa@shentel.net; or visit the website at www.snpbooks.org.
Shenandoah National Park Trust
The Shenandoah National Park Trust was established by the National Park Foundation in 2004 to preserve the exceptional natural beauty and cultural heritage of Shenandoah National Park through fostering public awareness and education, encouraging private philanthropy, and seeking public support.
As a non-profit organization, the Shenandoah National Park Trust relies solely on private funds to accomplish its mission. Gifts to the Trust are put directly to work, helping to ensure the future of the Park, as well as enriched experiences for the visitors of today.
For additional information or to donate to the Trust, Cathy McNair, Executive Director, Shenandoah National Park Trust, P.O. Box 3274, Staunton, Virginia 24401; cmcnair@nationalparks.org, (202) 238-4219; or visit the website at www.SNPTrust.org.
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) was founded in 1927 as a volunteer organization to maintain a portion of the Appalachian Trail. Additional objectives are to develop and maintain other trails within its area of concern; to maintain historic shelters and cabins accessible to hikers on the Appalachian Trail and other trails; to encourage participation in hiking and related outdoor sports; and to publish maps, guidebooks and other publications.
For more information, contact the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park Street, SE, Vienna, VA 22180; (703) 242-0693; or visit their website at www.patc.net.
National Park Foundation
Founded in 1967, the foundation is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress to provide private sector support for the enhancement and improvement of the national park system. Funded solely by private contributions, the foundation supports the NPS through supplementary public outreach efforts, interpretive and educational programs and the publication of materials such as The Complete Guide to America's National Parks. For more information, contact the National Park Foundation, 11 Dupont Circle, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20036; (888) GO-PARKS; or go visit their website at www.nationalparks.org.
Shenandoah In Depth
News from the Parks
Gettysburg Address to Return for Visitor Center Grand Opening
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
Anglers Wary of North Cascades Plan to Limit Fishing
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
Bison Advocates Go for Space
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
Rapid Climate Change Threatens to Thaw Icy Wonderland of Alaska
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
Park Seeks Construction Comment
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
