Latest news with #NationalParkService
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Residents issue urgent PSA after nightmare species rapidly invades community: 'It's expanding as we speak'
Residents in Southern Arizona have sounded an alarm to raise awareness about an invasive grass taking over their area, KGUN reported. The highly invasive buffelgrass has pushed out iconic local species like mesquite trees and saguaros, while sapping the soil of vital nutrients and leaving the desert susceptible to wildfire, per KGUN. "We're on a relatively sharp slope downward to having this area of Southwest Arizona turn into grasslands," Bruce Grieshaber, a local homeowners association president, told KGUN. Originally introduced to Arizona in the 1930s for cattle grazing and erosion control, the highly invasive buffelgrass is native to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, according to the National Park Service. The same characteristics that led people to plant buffelgrass in the first place — its drought tolerance and abundant seed production — have allowed buffelgrass to spread out of control. It now poses a threat to the natural balance of the entire region. "Buffelgrass … is the archenemy of the Sonoran Desert — the invasive grass most likely to cause significant damage to the native ecosystem," the National Park Service warned on its website. Buffelgrass is well-suited for its native habitat of savannah grasslands, where wildfires are part of the local ecosystem cycle and other vegetation has evolved to survive the heat of the flames, per the NPS. However, in the deserts of Southern Arizona, the native vegetation is not similarly adapted, leaving it vulnerable to being wiped out in a fire. Local residents lack the resources necessary to get the buffelgrass under control, let alone eradicate it. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Grieshaber told KGUN that his community has a 26-acre nature park that has been taken over by buffelgrass. "It's expanding as we speak," Grieshaber said. Despite the efforts of local volunteers, to remove all of that buffelgrass would simply require too much work, and the cost of paying to have the grass removed professionally is cost-prohibitive. The HOA even looked into bringing in sheep to graze on the buffelgrass. "We priced it out, and to do probably a couple acres, it would be thousands of dollars," Grieshaber told KGUN. Southern Arizona's struggles against invasive buffelgrass are a prime example of the impact invasive species are having around the globe. Similar stories are playing out elsewhere, with invasive species spreading deadly diseases, hurting crop production, upsetting trade, and crowding out native species. As average global temperatures climb, it aids the spread of invasive species, opening up new regions that previously were too cold for certain species to survive. Unfortunately, when it comes to invasive buffelgrass in Arizona and many similar situations, the only options available involve containment and not total eradication. However, putting even containment plans into effect requires dedicated resources. In 2014, Green Valley, Arizona, and the Pima County Flood Control District received a $70,000 grant to combat the spread of buffelgrass. Using those funds, locals were able to get the buffelgrass situation temporarily under control, per KGUN. However, when the funds ran out in 2017, the buffelgrass returned. Since that time, local HOAs have largely been left to manage the situation on their own. "We need a buffelgrass/wildfire mitigation grant so we can give relief to some of these homeowners associations that are spending thousands of dollars to keep this effort going," said Debbie Valley, president of the Green Valley Council, per KGUN. You can help combat the spread of invasive species in your own backyard or community garden by planting native species, switching to a natural lawn, or rewilding your yard. These steps save money on your water bill and landscaping costs while helping native wildlife like pollinators, birds, and small mammals. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
New York Post
17 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
Fatal disease kills bats in Rocky Mountain National Park
Three bats with a disease that kills bat populations were found in Rocky Mountain National Park. The disease, called white-nose syndrome, is caused by a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). It can sometimes turn the faces of hibernating bats white, giving it its name. The National Park Service said two bats on the west side of the park and one bat on the east side of the park were found with the disease. All three bats were long-legged bats, the NPS said. Pd lives in damp, dark places, like caves, according to Beyond the external signs of white-nose syndrome, the disease might cause bats to start exhibiting odd behaviors like flying outside in the daylight. It spreads rapidly from bat-to-bat. These are the first confirmed cases of white-nose syndrome found in Grand County, the NPS said. 4 Three bats with a disease that kills bat populations were found in Rocky Mountain National Park. Reuters 4 White-nose syndrome, caused by a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans, can sometimes turn the faces of hibernating bats white and may cause odd behaviors like flying outside in the daylight. Ryan von Linden/New York Department of Environmental Conservation Humans can't get sick from WNS, but they can spread the fungus to new places. Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! The NPS advises park visitors to report any dead or injured bats to park workers and never touch or move a bat. 4 The National Park Service says to report any dead or injured bats to park workers and never touch or move them. Marvin Moriarty/USFWS 4 Rocky Mountain National Park has nine known species of bats. VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Though humans can't get WNS, some bats can carry rabies, which does affect humans and is deadly if left untreated. WNS has been blamed for millions of bat deaths nationwide since its initial detection in New York in 2006, the NPS said. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to nine known species of bats. Bats are crucial to healthy ecosystems throughout Rocky Mountain National Park. White-nose syndrome risks killing off crucial bat species. To learn more about white-nose syndrome and how it affects bats, visit
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
‘Sploot Season' Is Here, And Animals Everywhere Are Feeling It
A squirrel rests on its belly, its legs outstretched behind it, in an attempt to cool down. The ... More practice is calling splooting. For a dose of cute, look to the sploot. What's the sploot? 'Splooting' refers to animals sprawling out, usually face down, with their legs outstretched behind them. Sometimes they strike the pose for an all-body stretch or to simply to get comfortable. Sometimes they sploot on cool tiles or shady grass or branches to regulate their internal body temperature when it's hot out. The National Park Service highlighted the practice of splooting on social media this week as an expanding heat wave hit the Southwest and Rockies, with the National Weather Service predicting the Midwest and Northeast will experience 'the most oppressive heat of the season to date' this weekend and next week. 'It's sploot season, folks,' the NPS wrote. 'Remember to stay hydrated and find the shade. Sploot as needed.' A splooting bear relaxes face down in Alaska's Katmai National Park & Preserve. The NPS' Facebook post includes photos of splooting in the wild — a bear, marmot and squirrels. There's even an image of a turtle captured mid-'air sploot,' its belly on the ground, but its its neck and limbs lifted upward in a pose that looks like something straight out of a yoga class for reptiles. 'I mean if you gotta do it, do it with style and elegance,' wrote Facebook user Jill Earl, one of the many commenters clearly enjoying the photographic evidence of splooting season. A turtle demonstrates an "air sploot," keeping its belly on the ground but lifting its neck and ... More limbs upward. I'm proud to say my cat, Jet, is a master splooter. There's something decidedly adorable about splooting — though it can indicate that a pet has painful hip or joint issues, according to VCA, a network of animal hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. More often, though, it's simply an attempt to beat the heat. As parts of U.S. swelter, squirrels have never been more relatable. We feel ya, overheated splooting marmot, we feel ya.
CBS News
18 hours ago
- CBS News
Boston's Freedom Trail is one of the best free attractions in the country, USA Today says
Learning more about Boston and Paul Revere on the Freedom Trail Learning more about Boston and Paul Revere on the Freedom Trail Learning more about Boston and Paul Revere on the Freedom Trail The Freedom Trail in Boston has once again been named one of the best free attractions in the country by USA Today. The historic route featuring landmarks from the American Revolution was ranked at No. 6 on the newspaper's Top 10 list, beating out well-known destinations like Niagara Falls and The National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Loggerhead Marine Center, a sea turtle conservation site in Florida, was first in the ranking, which is determined by USA Today readers and editors. The Freedom Trail also made the "best free attractions" list in 2023. "Starting at the Boston Common and ending at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown, the Freedom Trail offers historical insight into the city of Boston," USA Today writes. "It's easy to hop on and off of the Freedom Trail as it weaves throughout the city, highlighting some of Boston's most special places." Freedom Trail tours There are daily walking tour tickets available for purchase through the Freedom Trial Foundation. But anyone can follow the 2.5-mile red brick line that guides visitors to the different historic sites at no charge. The National Park Service offers a free, self-guided "Freedom Trail Audio Tour" that can be downloaded here. The 16 sites on the Freedom Trail are: the Boston Common, the State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King's Chapel & King's Chapel Burying Ground, Boston Latin School Site/Benjamin Franklin Statue, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, the Boston Massacre Site, Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, the U.S.S. Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument.
Miami Herald
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Second mysterious sculpture referencing Trump appears in DC, a week after first
A new 8-foot-tall sculpture featuring a video art loop of a dancing President Donald Trump has cropped up on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. — the second sculpture referencing the president to appear in that spot this month. The sculpture portrays a gold television broadcasting the continuous video on top of a pedestal with a plaque that reads, ''In the United States of America you have the freedom to display your so-called 'art,' no matter how ugly it is.' — The Trump White House, June 2025,' according to photos. The quote comes from a comment the White House said to the Washington Post while responding to a different sculpture that appeared days after the June 14 military parade and depicted a 'thumbs up' gesture crushing the Statue of Liberty's head. It included quotes by Vladimir Putin, Jair Bolsonaro, Kim Jong Un and Viktor Orban praising Trump and had the words 'Dictator Approved' inscribed in a large font, McClatchy News reported. The purpose of the new display is to 'demonstrate freedom of speech and artistic expression using political imagery,' according to a permit for the artwork the National Park Service shared with McClatchy News on June 27. It's still a mystery as to who is responsible for the sculptures. The same name is listed on both permits but does not include contact information. In a response to the new display, shared with the Washington Post, a spokesperson for the White House called the persons responsible 'liberal activists masquerading as 'artists.'' 'I've tricked them into taking down their ugly sculpture and replacing it with a beautiful video of the President's legendary dance moves that will bring joy and inspiration to all tourists traversing our National Mall,' the spokesperson said. The new sculpture will be on view through June 29, according to the permit.
