** Wildfire shows climate impacts in national parks
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Wildfire in Yosemite, NASA ([link removed])
This year's devastating wildfires are a visible example ([link removed]) of how climate change is impacting national parks. By early October, wildfires covered 8 million acres of the West, burning in or adjacent to Yosemite, Crater Lake, Rocky Mountain, and many more. "We are entering this era where fires are becoming larger and more severe and more destructive. 2018 was on the map for some of the most destructive fires ever recorded... this year surpassed them again," said Jennifer Gibson, chief of resources and fire at Crater Lake National Park. Park managers are working to adjust to the new conditions, implementing fuel reduction projects and preparing firefighting infrastructure. However, parks are at “the extreme warm edge of historical conditions,” a fact that leaves them vulnerable to fires.
Wildfires are just one of the effects of climate change on national parks. Research shows that national park areas are warming twice as fast ([link removed]) as the rest of the country, exacerbating impacts from drought to ecosystem shifts. While park lands are disproportionately impacted by climate change, they also present opportunities for climate mitigation. As one of the strongest conservation designations, national parks serve as hubs of conservation ([link removed]) , connecting larger landscapes for wildlife migration and climate resiliency.
** Interior says it is following court order on Pendley removal
------------------------------------------------------------
Despite William Perry Pendley's insistence that the court order ousting him from the helm of the Bureau of Land Management had no effect, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt says otherwise. Bernhardt told reporters ([link removed]) that the Interior Department is complying with the court's orders and that Pendley is "not the acting director," a contradiction of Pendley's recent message.
Quick hits
** A bold plan to protect 30% of Colorado lands and waters by 2030
------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | Report: Conservation Colorado and Western Resource Advocates ([link removed])
** Interior Secretary says acting public lands chief has been removed, despite Pendley's claim to the contrary
------------------------------------------------------------
Cleveland.com ([link removed])
** Wildfires show impact of climate change on national parks
------------------------------------------------------------
National Geographic ([link removed])
** Utah sees signs of a outdoor tourism and park visitation rebound
------------------------------------------------------------
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed]) | Deseret News ([link removed])
** Poll shows voters want land protections and a shift away from oil and gas extraction on public lands
------------------------------------------------------------
E&E News ([link removed])
** New wildfires show fire season isn't over yet
------------------------------------------------------------
OutThere Colorado ([link removed])
** States faces billions in well plugging costs as Fed buys millions in oil and gas bonds
------------------------------------------------------------
New Mexico Political Report ([link removed])
** Opinion: How a climate corps could put youth to work in greening America
------------------------------------------------------------
Yale Environment 360 ([link removed])
Quote of the day
I think for a long time the climate effort focused on rightfully closing down coal power and shifting to a clean energy economy but I think a lot of scientists are realizing that lands and climate are one in the same and you need this wide-reaching [30x30] approach to addressing the climate crisis.”
—Andre Miller, Western Lands Policy Analyst for Western Resource Advocates, Colorado Sun ([link removed])
Picture this
** @YosemiteNPS ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, hello there!
Ringtails are nocturnal and seldom-seen residents of Yosemite's lower elevations, named for their banded tail. Sound like a raccoon? They're cousins! The common name "ringtail cat" is a misnomer: they're related to raccoons, coatis, kinkajous, and olingos.
============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
Copyright © 2020 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.
Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
