Tag Archives: Glacier National Park

Chas Cartwright’s tenure as ‘temporary guardian’ of Glacier Park nears its close

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Chas Cartwright tenure as Glacier Park’s Superintendent nears its close . . .

It was by organic and geologic fortuity that the towering mountains of Glacier National Park were hewn during the last ice age, and without regard for the legacy bestowed on its millions of annual visitors, or the suite of wildlife its pristine ecosystem supports.

As Chas Cartwright’s decades-long career in public service draws to a close with him at the helm of Glacier National Park, he isn’t much concerned with the notion of legacy, either.

Cartwright set out as Glacier’s 21st superintendent not to carve out a monument to himself, but to serve as the park’s temporary guardian…

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Bison once roamed Glacier Park’s high country

History, News,

Here’s an interesting tidbit about Glacier Park’s — and perhaps the North Fork’s — historic fauna . . .

A project to study cultural and biological resources near ice patches in Glacier National Park has revealed an interesting find in the Park’s high country — bison.

Often thought of as a plains animal, researchers recently found bison remains at an elevation of 8,000 feet in the Park’s St. Mary drainage.

Researchers say the bison remains were not left by hunters — it’s a nearly complete skeleton. Bison may have their home on the range, but that homeland extended into the mountains, it turns out.

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Kym Hall to serve as Glacier Park’s interim superintendent

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As expected, Glacier Park’s second in command will be the interim superintendent . . .

Glacier National Park’s No. 2 official will take over for retiring Superintendent Chas Cartwright at the end of the year with an eye toward filling the position permanently.

Kym Hall will become the park’s interim superintendent when Cartwright steps down Dec. 28, Cartwright said Friday.

The National Park Service plans to name a permanent replacement for Cartwright by late spring 2013, and Hall said she will throw her name into the ring.

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Chas Cartwright prepares for retirement

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Chas Cartwright, Glacier Park’s current superintendent, retires the end of this year. (He’s staying in the area, though.) The Flathead Beacon has a nice write-up . . .

It takes a stretch of the imagination for a suburban boy growing up in the cityscape of Detroit to grasp the mountains and untamed nature of Glacier National Park. It requires setting foot inside the sylvan world of one of America’s most pristine places, witnessing the silver ridges and discovering some of the last natural backcountry in the Lower 48.

Chas Cartwright vividly remembers the first time he visited…

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Glacier Park stonefly could be first species put on endangered list due to climate change

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

Glacier Park’s meltwater stonefly is a candidate species for addition to the endangered species list . . .

An obscure aquatic insect found exclusively in the high alpine streams of Glacier National Park will remain a high-priority candidate for endangered species protection because it is at risk of extinction due to climate change, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last week.

The rare stonefly, called Lednia tumana, has narrow temperature requirements and lives only in cold-water streams fed by Glacier Park’s melting glaciers and snowfields – a mountain ecosystem rapidly disappearing due to global warming. It was included on the most recent list of 192 candidate species eligible for protection under the Endangered Species Act. However, it did not receive emergency listing for protection.

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Chas Cartwright retiring as Glacier Park superintendent

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Chas Cartwright is stepping down at the end of the year . . .

The superintendent of Glacier National Park is retiring at the end of December, a park spokesperson confirmed Thursday night.

Chas Cartwright announced his plans this week to step down at the end of the year. Park officials will release further details in the near future, including who will serve as interim superintendent in Cartwright’s absence…

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Glacier Park’s future under discussion

Environmental Issues, News, , , ,

Glacier Park officials face several challenges over the next few years . . .

As park officials described it, with both optimism and concern, preserving and protecting the Crown of the Continent is a constant effort.

Aquatic invasive species continue to threaten Glacier National Park. Federal funding is drying up nationwide while lawmakers grapple over a transportation bill. As the top attraction in the state, the park’s escalating popularity is beginning to overwhelm resources and trails.

“What does this mean for the future of Glacier National Park?” Deputy Superintendent Kym Hall asked recently. “How do we maintain that quality visitor experience? Because I assume that’s what people come here for. It’s the Glacier experience, and it’s a unique experience.”

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Talk on bats in Glacier Park this Saturday

Environmental Issues, News, ,

This looks interesting, even if you are not exactly a bat aficionado . . .

Montana House and the Glacier National Park Fund will co-host a free and public presentation by Glacier National Park wildlife biologist Lisa Bate on “What’s So Important About Bats?” at Montana House, in Apgar Village, on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 4 p.m. Bate will discuss current findings of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Bat Inventory and Monitoring Project that started in 2011. Reservations required. Call 888-5393. There will be an open house after presentation.

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Avalanche Lake Trail reopened in Glacier Park

Fire Information and Status, News,

Fire crews and cooperative weather have knocked down the Avalanche Wildland Fire and Glacier Park’s Avalanche Lake trail has been reopened. Here is the official press release . . .

The Avalanche Lake Trail is open. The trail was recently closed due to the Avalanche Wildland Fire.

Fire activity remains minimal on the Avalanche Wildland Fire due to suppression actions and recent moisture and cooler temperatures. The fire area is located on Mount Brown near Avalanche Lake on the west side of the park. The fire area will continue to be monitored and additional suppression activities will be implemented as appropriate. Some smoke may be visible from locations within the park. The fire area is closed to the public.

For additional park information, please visit Glacier National Park’s website at www.nps.gov/glac or call park headquarters at 406-888-7800.

Cold front may help firefighting efforts in Glacier Park

Fire Information and Status, News,

An incoming cold front should aid firefighting efforts in Glacier Park . . .

Crews are successfully containing a wildfire burning near Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park and an incoming cold front could further calm the blaze.

The lightning-caused fire is now being estimated at 70 acres, due to more accurate mapping and not recent fire growth. The Avalanche Lake Trail remains closed until further notice.

A heavy-lift helicopter continued aerial water drops on the fire Wednesday while 25 firefighters and eight smoke jumpers worked to secure containment line on the west and north sides of the fire.

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