Lots of good pieces today. Probably my favorite was on the bears (under Glacier, but could have been part of 'misc' just as easily as they also talk about Yellowstone). I also found the wolf story about the Northern Michigan wolves very interesting.

Glacier National Park News:
Comment period extended for gravel pit expansion near Glacier
KALISPELL - A controversial gravel pit expansion, proposed near Glacier National Park’s western entrance, will remain open to public comment through the month.
http://www.nwpphotoforum.com/ubbthreads/...mp;page=0#21899

Truth and lies about bear attacks in the U.S.
It doesn’t take bear spray and jingle bells – avoiding bear attacks is easier than most think
We stuff ‘em, cuddle with them, associate them with Theodore Roosevelt and Valentine’s, and say “awww” when we see them at the zoo. The first thing out of most people’s mouths when I tell them that I camp and do multi-day rafting trips in the wilderness for my summer job is, “what about bears?” Most people are concerned about bear attacks when it comes to the outdoors, but is this fear justified?
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/28319

Great Smoky Mountain National Park News:
Park to close caves in wake of bat disease
CATALOOCHEE – A disease that has killed almost half a million bats in the Northeast prompted managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Friday to close caves and old mines to the public.
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009904040331

Isle Royale National Park
Inbreeding taking toll on Michigan wolves
The two dozen or so gray wolves that wander an island chain in northwestern Lake Superior are suffering from backbone malformations caused by genetic inbreeding, posing yet another challenge to their prospects for long-term survival, according to wildlife biologists.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j4DCbnOoq9gfjQsTCD2CZ0SYS3QgD97BIHL80

Misc. National Park NEws:
National Park Service aims to reduce greenhouse gases
Working with the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service has launched the Climate Friendly Parks program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Western region office wants park operations to be carbon neutral by 2016.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008983043_natparks04.html

Outside the US/Canadian Park System:
Govt Urged To Cancel Railway Project In National Park
BENGKULU, (Indonesia) April 4 (Bernama) -- The Indonesian Environmental Forum, Walhi, called on the government to cancel its plan to construct a coal railway line that would pass through the Bukit Barisan National Park (TNBBS) in Sumatra, Indonesia's Antara news agency reported.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=401728

Rocky Mountain National Park News:
Park service proposing to replace Grand Lake entrance station
Public comment sought for proposal on Rocky Mountain National Park’s west side
ESTES PARK, Colo. — Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) staff are proposing to replace the Grand Lake entrance station to correct safety deficiencies and improve visitor service. The present entrance station is located on Trail Ridge Road, 1.3 miles north of the town of Grand Lake, Colorado. It was built in 1960.
http://www.eptrail.com/news/2009/apr/03/park-service-proposing-replace-grand-lake-entrance/

Want to try Winter hiking? How about snowshoeing?
When there's too much snow on the ground to go hiking, it's time to try snowshoeing.
http://www.examiner.com/x-2520-Denver-Hi...out-snowshoeing

Yellowstone National Park News:
Yellowstone winter visits down 13+ percent
Park and gateway communities well positioned to weather soft economy this summer
http://www.islandparknews.net/atf.php?sid=6215&current_edition=2009-04-03

Yellowstone visits drop; summer bookings down
Yellowstone National Park visitation declined more than 13 percent this winter, thanks in part to the poor economy, uncertainty over snowmobile regulations and poor snowfall early in the season, officials said.
http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?art_id=4437

Enviro group says it will sue over wolf decision
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Another environmental group says it will sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its new plan for managing gray wolves in the Northern Rockies.
http://www.kivitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10125616

Road work expected to cause delays in Yellowstone
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING - Visitors to Yellowstone National Park can expect up to 30-minute delays while repairs are made to the Grand Loop Road this spring and summer.
http://www.kulr8.com/news/wyoming/42407802.html

Zion National Park News:
Planned fires for Zion National Park
The Park Service will light 300 acres of Zion National Park on fire next week.
http://www.abc4.com/content/news/state/s...u_siHlSVqw.cspx

Zion Park: Glad We Have a Sunroof
Panguitch is a little town that was installed in the desert so that the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803 would have a civilized place to bivouac and replenish their supplies as they passed through Southern Utah.
http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/zion_park_glad_we_have_a_sunroof/C564/L564/