Great Smoky Mountain National Park News:
Gatlinburg gets nod from Forbes magazine
With early spring wildflowers already in bloom, the city now has another reason to feel pretty.
http://themountainpress.com/view/full_st...cal_top_stories**********
Misc. National Park News:
Native forests ravaged by bug imports
Imported plants, which are now valued at more than $500 billion annually, may be a boon for the U.S. economy, but are having a devastating effect on the environment.
http://www.futurity.org/earth-environment/native-forests-ravaged-by-bug-imports/Herbivores take toll on ecosystem
Environmental effects from deer and elk rise as their natural predators decline, a study finds
Deer, elk and other big herbivores cause surprisingly extensive damage to forests and streams when their populations surge as a result of killings of their natural predators such as wolves and bears, says a new study by two Oregon State University professors.
http://www.registerguard.com/web/updates/27890202-41/wolves-elk-ripple-herbivores-predators.html.csp**********
Yellowstone (and Grand Teton) National Park News:
Wolf hunting meeting at Snow King tonight
Jackson residents will get a chance to review and comment on proposed Wyoming wolf hunting regulations tonight.
http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?art_id=8439Synthetic Turf Promotes Sustainability Through Conservation of Six Billion Gallons of Water Annually, Innovative Practices and Reclamation of Resources
From schools and municipalities to homeowners, a growing number of people are turning to synthetic turf for sustainable landscape and play solutions. As of 2012, the estimated total amount of synthetic turf installed in North America annually conserves six billion gallons of water and eliminates close to a billion pounds of harmful fertilizers and pesticides.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/synthet...rces-2012-04-10Yellowstone Park restoration work progressing
A northern corner of Yellowstone National Park degraded by decades of inappropriate use and overrun with nonnative vegetation is showing signs of recovery following the first four years of a 10-year study.
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-an...eac81915ca.html**********
