NCRN RSS FEED

Remains of Civil War soldier found at Antetam National Battlefield

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:12:31 -0400

The remains of a young Union soldier were discovered on the Davide R. Miller Farm at Antietam National Battlefeld. The initial find was made by a park visitor which prompted park and regional staff to conduct an excavation of the site. Numerous artifacts were discovered that indicated that the soldier was a verteran fighting with the New York State regiment. The soldiers remains were returned to New York for internment in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

Rock Creek Park Natural Resource Condition Assessment Released

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:12:45 -0400

The Rock Creek Park Natural Resource Condition Assessment was completed in May of 2009 and is available on the NCRN web site.

Bobcat photographed along C&O Canal

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 4 Aug 2009 08:15:03 -0400

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are not considered rare in the region but are rarely seen. NCR Wildlife Biologist, Scott Bates, was able to capture a photograph of this bobcat using a remote, trip camera near milepost 140 along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP.

NCRN Forest Bird Monitoring Resource Brief Available

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Mon, 6 Jul 2009 08:24:49 -0400

The NCRN Forest Bird Monitoring Resource Brief is now available. The document describes the importance of the resource and provides some summary findings.

Great Eastern Phoebe Pics Taken at the Center for Urban Ecology

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:16:53 -0400

NCRN I&M photographer Tom Paradis captured these pictures of an Eastern Phoebe grabbing a quick bite right outside our window at the Center for Urban Ecology in Washington, DC.

Land Donation Will Add 176 Acres to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:13:56 -0400

The Civil War Preservation Trust will donate 176 acres of land that make up a key part of the battlefield to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park during a ceremony on School House Ridge. The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2009.

Secretary Salazar Announces Economic Stimulus Projects in the National Capital Region

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:21:05 -0400

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the DOI projects taking place in Maryland, and in the District of Columbia under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Cannons Fire at Monocacy National Battlefield

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:22:30 -0400

Almost 145 years after the Battle of Monocacy cannons were fired at Monocacy National Battlefield during an artillery demonstration.

Memorial Day Weekend Events in DC

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:47:15 -0400

There will be a number of events taking place this Memorial Day weekend in DC including a rare opportunity for visitors to enjoy the view from the top of the Netherlands Carillon located along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Secretary Salazar Presents Potomac Gorge Partnership with Award

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:22:52 -0400

DOI Secretary Ken Salazar presented a Partners in Conservation award to Brent Steury, of the George Washington Mem. Pkwy, and Scott Bell, of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, for the restoration work they have done with the Nature Conservancy in the Potomac Gorge.

National Mall to Start Recycling Program

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 1 May 2009 09:27:16 -0400

A $1.1 million gift from Coca-Cola Co. will jump start the effort and help the National Mall catch up with other urban parks across the country. This summer, the National Park Service and its fundraising partners will study the waste generated to see how many and where recycling bins are needed. They hope to begin putting out bins by October.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal to Receive Stimulus Funds to Repair Tow Path

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:54:57 -0400

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is scheduled to receive over $12 million to repair a large, washed-out gap in the towpath around the are of Big Slackwater. The 2.7 mile section of the towpath has been closed for over 12 years.

National Capital Region Parks in Virginia Receive Stimulus Funds

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:35:26 -0400

Prince William Forest Park, Manassas National Battlefield, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and the George Washington Memorial Parkway are all slated to receive stimulus funds. Prince William Forest Park will receive the most funds, over $5.5 million, for a number of rehabilitation projects.

First Annual Tree Report Card for DC Released

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:53:41 -0400

Casey Trees just released the first Annual Tree Report Card for Washington, DC. The City received an overal grade of a B based on the combined score of these metrics: Coverage, Health, Planting, Protection and Awareness.

Bill to Block Incinerator Construction is Rejected

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 7 Apr 2009 15:58:54 -0400

A committee in the Maryland State Senate has rejected a bill that would have blocked the construction of a trash incinerator near Monocacy National Battlefield.

NCRN 2007 Deer Monitoring Report Published

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:33:19 -0400

The National Capital Region I&M Network's 2007 Deer Monitoring Report has just been published and is available on the Network website.

DOI Announces Release of Report Showing Declines in Bird Populations

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:31:58 -0400

DOI Secretary Ken Salazar released the first ever comprehensive report on bird populations in the United States today. The State of the Birds Report, which was a the product of partnerships between governement agencies and NGOs, shows that nearly one third of the nation's bird species are either endangered, threatened or declining.

Designation of National Park Units Can Be Confusing

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:03:48 -0400

The National Park Service claims to manage 391 units or areas but when examined more closely, the manner in which these units are designated and managed can be confusing.

Rock Creek Park - The Only Planetarium in the NPS

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:05:21 -0400

Located in the middle of Washington, DC, Rock Creek Park does not offer the best views of the night sky but it does offier the only planetarium in that National Park System.

NCRN 2008 Forest Vegetation Monitoring Report Published

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:06:28 -0400

The National Capital Region I&M Network's 2008 Forest Vegetation Monitoring Report has just been published and is available on the Network website.

Cherry Blossoms to Arrive Late This Year

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 11:52:12 -0400

The National Capital Region Chief Hoticulturalist, Robert DeFeo has predicted that the cherry blossom blooms will occur later this year due to the colder than normal winter temperatures and the late winter snow fall in the DC area. He estimates that optimal bloom dates will be between April 3 to April 9.

White Nosed Bat Syndrome found in VA

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Mon, 9 Mar 2009 10:56:52 -0500

White nosed bat syndrome has been found in PA, WV, NY, CT, VT and now it appears VA as well. All surveys of bats for the disease in NCR parks have been negative so far. NPS employees can find out more information about the disease by following this intranet link: http://www1.nrintra.nps.gov/brmd/nativespecies/wildlifehealth/White_Nose_Syndrome.cfm

NCRN/IAN Data Portal Goes Live

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 3 Mar 2009 09:54:19 -0500

The NCRN has been working with the University of Maryland's Integration and Application Network to develop a vital signs data portal to provide access to vital signs data. The site allows users to query data through multiple data pathways and download query results to an Excel spreadsheet.

MD Bill Would Ban Incinerator Near Monocacy

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Mon, 2 Mar 2009 10:49:22 -0400

Maryland State Senator Alex Mooney introduced legislation that would stop the development of a waste-to-energy plant near Monocacy National Battlefield. The development is planned to take place within one mile of the park.

Court Finds Air Pollution Rules Inadequate

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:01:23 -0500

The United States Court of Appeals in DC found that federal standards for particulate air pollution are not adequate to protect health and safeguard visibility based on the requirements established by the Clean Air Act. The EPA has been directed to revise the federal standards.

2009 UERLA Internships

Giselle_Mora-Bourgeois@nps.gov — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:04:27 -0500

NCRN White-tailed Deer Resource Brief Available

j_patrick_campbell@nps.gov — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:54:17 -0500

The NCRN just released its first White-tailed Deer Resource Brief. The brief describes the issues surrounding white-tailed deer populations in NCR parks and how the species is impacting other park resources.

Proposed Incinerator Sites in Frederick Co., MD could impact NCR Parks

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:37:21 -0500

The top two recommended sites for locating a new waste-to-energy plant in Frederick County would be in close proximity to either the C&O Canal National Historical Park or Monocacy National Battlefield. The sites were chosen because they all have access to power and water needed operate the new plant. If the second of the top two choices is selected, a 350 ft. smokestack would tower over Monocacy National Battlefield impacting all of the historic vistas. In addition, noise and light from the power plant, which would operate 24 hours a day, could be a problem.

National Captial Region Parks help economy in Frederick County, MD.

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:51:18 -0500

A report released recently indicated that in 2007 parks such as, Antietam National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain Park, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park helped to boost the economy in Frederick County, MD.

2008 Park Visitation Report

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:31:17 -0500

The total number of visitors to National Parks decreased slightly from 2007 to 2008 but the National Capital Region reported a 4.3% (approximately 1.9 million visitors) increase in visitation.

National Capital Region EPMT Data Manager Position Posted

Thu, 5 Feb 2009 16:16:17 -0500

Announcement WA-226336-RM Biological Science Technician (Data Manager) GS-0404-5/6/7, Washington, DC

Funding for National Mall Revitalization Removed from Stimulus Package

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 09:06:06 -0500

NCRN 2009 Seasonal Positions Posted

j_patrick_campbell@nps.gov — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:12:37 -0500

The National Capital Region I&M Network has two vacancies for biological technicians at either the GS-5 or GS-7 levels to work on the Network's vegetation monitoring crew. See the postings on USAJobs:
GS-5 posting: NPS-NCR-09-15
GS-7 posting: NPS-NCR-09-16
Applicants should have knowledge of plant biology and have experience identifying vascular plants (ideally in the mid-Atlantic region).

NCRN Park Photo - Manassas in Winter

john_schmit@nps.gov — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:07:28 -0500

This small tributary to Youngs Branch was frozen solid by the recent cold snap. The picture was taken off of the Chinn Ridge trail, not far from New York Avenue.

NCRN Water Resources Brief Available

marian_norris@nps.gov — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:46:44 -0500

The NCRN just released its first Water Resource Monitoring Brief. The brief describes the program, provides some data summaries and findings and informs readers about how the data are being used to assist with park management.

National Capital Parks - East Receives Centennial Challenge Funds

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:28:10 -0500

National Capital Parks - East recieved $400,000 to expand the “Bridging the Watershed” environmental education program. Half of the funds are from the Alice Ferguson Foundation, half from the Centennial Challenge.

NCRN Photos in inaugural brochure.

thomas_paradis@nps.gov — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:20:23 -0500

Photographs taken by NCRN photographer Thomas Paradis will be featured in an NPS inaugural brochure.

Zebra Mussel Found in Lower Susquehanna River

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:13:47 -0500

Zebra mussels found in Maryland were recovered from a boat docked in Harford County. The zebra mussel, a small freshwater mollusk from the Caspian Sea, has already infested much of the Great Lakes region, causing economic and ecological damage. Free-swimming zebra mussel larvae will stick to any hard surface and begin to grow. As the mussels grow, they physically clog water systems, coat boat bottoms and any structures in water. Named for the alternating wavy dark (black/brown/green) and light (yellow, cream, white) bands on their shells, adults are D-shaped and generally thumbnail-sized (but can reach a maximum size of about two inches).

UERLA Fellowships

Giselle_Mora-Bourgeois@nps.gov — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:50:50 -0500

The Urban Ecology Research Learning Alliance is announcing the 2009 Urban Ecology Interships. Internships are available for graduate, undergraduate, and qualified high school students in their senior year. These internships are an excellent way to learn about the National Park Service and gain experience in fields like natural resource management, science communication, social science, and data management.

See the internship announcement, position descriptions and the application for more information.