National Parks News
Attendance is down at national parks across the country. And budget cuts threaten to roll back years of ecological development. But the government has a plan: If people are not going to the parks, bring the parks to the peopleWhen the sun vanishes behind the moon for the first time over the United States in this century, what better place to enjoy the view than from one of the 154 national parks that stand in its path?Mowing at all national parks has been suspended indefinitely because of safety concerns after a maintenance worker cutting grass along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina fell to his death.Like many national parks in the West, the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on the California-Arizona border will host special events for Sunday's annular solar eclipse.Members of the U.S. military and their families are now eligible for free passes to national parks and monuments as part of a program timed to celebrate Armed Forces Day on Saturday, the White House announced.Independence, Mo. ? To show appreciation for those who serve in the U.S. military, on May 19 ? Armed Forces Day ? the National Park Service will begin issuing an annual pass offering free entrance to all 397 national parks for active-duty military members and their family members.Visitors to America?s national parks are used to seeing impressive displays of nature, but this weekend, some may be in for a special treat.Sunday's solar eclipse will be the first visible in the US this century. The annular eclipse will be best seen from 33 national parks, including the Grand Canyon.Active-duty military personnel and their dependents will soon be able to enter every national park for free as part of an effort to thank service members and their families for the sacrifices they make, the Interior Department announced Tuesday.SALT LAKE CITY - Some of southern Utah's national parks will offer programs for viewing an annular solar eclipse later this month.National Parks - Yahoo! News Search Results
