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How to Live (a little bit) More Sustainably
When I first started working in Facilities & Engineering for the National Park Service at Yosemite, the division was hosting a project specialist from Spain to help calculate the park’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). This chick was freaking rad. Not only did she have a PhD in chemical engineering, she was a competitive runner and…
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Day Hiking Absolute Essentials – What’s in my Pack?
During my years as a park ranger and preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) ranger I learned a lot about hiking and trail safety. Unfortunately several of these tips and pack recommendations come from experience. Either from not having them on my own hikes, or rescuing someone on a trail who probably would have been fine…
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Rachel Carson Quotes – Inspiration from a Biologist
Rachel Carson was an American marine biologist and author. Her most notable book, Silent Spring, challenged the concept that humans could conquer nature with the use of chemicals. Below are a few notable Rachel Carson quotes about interactions with nature: “In nature nothing exists alone.” “But man is a part of nature, and his war…
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Aldo Leopold Quotes – Inspiration from an Ecologist
Aldo Leopold was an American writer and naturalist, and is widely considered to be the father of wildlife ecology. Below are a few notable Aldo Leopold quotes about nature, ethics, and environmentalism: “Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching- even when doing the wrong thing is legal.” “We abuse…
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Edward Abbey Quotes – Inspiration from an Activist
Edward Abbey was an American author and environmentalist who advocated for the reform of many public land policies. Below are a few notable Edward Abbey quotes about nature and environmental activism: “May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, and leading to the most amazing view.” “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of…
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John Muir Quotes – Inspiration from a Naturalist
John Muir was an influential Scottish-American environmentalist and Naturalist who is widely known as the “Father of the National Parks”. Below are a few of the most famous John Muir quotes about nature and the beauty of our natural world: “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” “In every walk with nature, one receives…
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Visiting Yosemite National Park in Winter
A winter in Yosemite National Park is a truly magical experience. While winter is definitely the quietest season in the park, there’s surprisingly quite a lot to do if you pack right. Just up the Glacier Point Road (about 45 minutes from Yosemite Valley) is the Badger Pass Ski Lodge. It’s a small and pretty…
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Hiking the Fort to Sea Trail on the Oregon Coast
Nestled in the beautiful coastal town of Astoria, Oregon, is the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, which holds great historical significance in the history of the United States. It was here that the famous explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark completed their epic journey to the Pacific Ocean and established a winter camp in…
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Visiting Yosemite in the Spring
Springtime in Yosemite National Park is breathtaking. The waterfalls are flowing, wildflowers are blooming, and the dogwoods are flowering. If you’re a waterfall junkie, Spring is your Yosemite season. During the Spring runoff from the High Country, Yosemite Valley is drowning in seasonal waterfalls. You’ll be hard pressed to find a section of granite that…
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How to Hike Half Dome at Yosemite National Park
Half Dome… have you heard of it? Of course you have, that’s why you’re here! Half Dome is arguably one of the most well known and iconic hikes in the country. The cool part about it is you don’t have to be a super experienced technical climber to stand on top of this incredible chunk…