On July 30, World Ranger Day Celebrated at Rocky Mountain National Park

The staff of Rocky Mountain National Park invite you to celebrate World Ranger Day as we recognize world conservation areas, and the professional staff, the Rangers, who form the Thin Green Line around these most valuable resources. On Tuesday, July 30, park staff will show "The Thin Green Line" an international ranger documentary made by Australian ranger, Sean Willmore. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center auditorium in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The International Ranger Federation (IRF) was founded to support the work of Rangers as the key protectors of the world's protected areas. In 2006, at the World Ranger Congress in Scotland, IRF delegates decided that July 31 of each year, beginning in 2007, would be a day dedicated to world rangers. The first World Ranger Day fell on the 15th anniversary of the founding of IRF on July 31, 1992.

In 1872, Yellowstone National Park became the world's first federally designated national park. Since then, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, over 100,000 protected areas, representing more than 10% of the earth's landmass, have been established around the world.

The English word "ranger" reflects the guardians of the Royal Forests in 14th century England, protecting the King's lands from poachers. Today, Rangers in protected areas throughout the world continue this role for the public, not just for the royal families. Rangers are the key force protecting these resources from impairment. They do this through law enforcement, environmental education, community relations, fighting fires, conducting search and rescues, and in many other ways.

You can come show your support for the Rangers of the World at this free program on Tuesday, July 30th, at 7:30 p.m. at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Celebrate Spring With Saturday Evening Programs At Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park officials have announced two Saturday evening programs occurring over the next two weeks:

Bear Necessities: Black Bears in Rocky Mountain National Park

On Saturday, May 25 at 7:00 p.m. join park ranger Sue Langdon to explore Rocky's black bears and their lifestyles. Rocky has a relatively small population of black bears compared to many other national parks. Yet, these forest roaming bears still make an impression to visitors in the most surprising places throughout the park!

Bears can completely surprise people with their activities and it is easy for people to mis-interpret what a bear is about to do. Does a bear standing upright on its hind feet mean it is ready to attack? What do bears prefer to eat? Is it humans or ants? Find out the truth about black bears and what they need to survive and thrive in Rocky Mountain National Park.

What's up with these forests? Mountain pine beetle impacts in Rocky Mountain National Park

On Saturday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m. learn the latest about the mountain pine beetle and their impacts on our forests. The recent mountain pine beetle outbreak has left a vast number of dead trees in its wake. From a distance it can appear as though entire forests are dying, but research suggests that many trees and seedlings have survived. This presentation will discuss mountain pine beetle ecology, impacts in the park, and how forests may change in the future as a result of this disturbance.

Join Katie Renwick, a PhD candidate at Colorado State University who spent last summer in the Rocky Mountain Nature Association fellowship program. Her research focuses on understanding how climate change and disturbance affect landscape-scale patterns of forest composition. She has been conducting research in Rocky Mountain National Park since 2010.

Both programs are free, and will be held at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Celebrate Archeology and Historic Preservation Month in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park will present "Discovering Rocky's Historic Landscape: A Sense of Place" for Archeology and Historic Preservation Month, celebrated to highlight important historic resources that give meaning and a sense of place to communities. The presentation is on Saturday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center auditorium in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Rocky Mountain National Park has a long human history which is represented in its buildings and structures from Native American occupation until the present. Learn how the National Historic Preservation Act protects the marks left on the landscape that tell the story of past generations.

Danielle Bonnici is a former seasonal National Park Service interpreter and a University of Colorado Denver graduate student in Historic Preservation. She will be accompanied by Karen Waddell, park cultural resources specialist.

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Planning a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park this year? Please help support RockyMountainHikingTrails.com by supporting the sponsors on our Accommodations page.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Heavy Snow Forces Closures in Rocky Mountain National Park

Heavy snowfall in northern Colorado today has forced the closure of roads and facilities in Rocky Mountain National Park.

As a result of power, heat and phone outages in different areas of the park, both the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and the Fall River Visitor Center on the east side of the park closed at noon today. The Kawuneeche Visitor Center on the west side will remain open.

According to the latest SNOTEL reading at Bear Lake, roughly 18 inches of snow has fallen since last night. The latest forecast calls for another 3-7 inches this afternoon and tonight. Temperatures are falling and winds are expected to increase this afternoon to 20 miles per hour. Overnight temperatures are forecasted to be in the low teens.

According to park officials, there is limited access to portions of the east side of the park. Currently, Trail Ridge Road is closed at Deer Ridge Junction. Normally at this time of year it's open to Many Parks Curve. Bear Lake Road is closed at Park & Ride. Park snowplows continue to work on the roads, but park visitors are reminded that plows do not operate between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Hazardous driving conditions exist in the park.

For the latest weather updates and forecasts, please click here.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com