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ITINERARY & MAP START: Portland, Oregon FIRST STOP: Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (NATIONAL RESOURCE LAND/BLM) From Portland, I would use a vehicle to drive south near the coast to reach Yaquina Head.
SECOND STOP: Yosemite National Park (NATIONAL PARK) From Yaquina Head, I would take an RV down south towards California on the freeway to reach Yosemite.
THIRD STOP: Cherokee National Forest (NATIONAL FOREST) From Yosemite, I would fly a plane east towards Tennessee to reach Yosemite.
FOURTH STOP: Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE) From Cherokee , I would take another vehicle up north on the freeway towards New York to reach the Iroquois National Refuge.
FINAL STOP: Fly west using a plane across the country to return to Portland, Oregon.
ITINERARY & MAP
MAP WITH ROUTES
NATIONAL FOREST A. Cherokee National Forest Located in Tennessee First established in 1920 when President Wilson combined federal lands along southern Appalachian mountains. Latest revisions in 2020. 2020 Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread project where approximately 8,760 acres of land would receive treatment to control gypsy moths. B. General Biome Type: Terrestrial ecosystem, lying in Southern Appalachian mountain range, home to wildlife habitats on land, and aquatic life in streams. C. Natural resources: Supply of timber, minerals, wood products, wildlife and fish resources, streams, rivers D. Uses by humans: Logging, bicycling, camping, hiking, volunteering, studying wildlife and plants, observing nature E. Management by humans: HOW? Human management includes maintaining recreation sites, restoring watersheds, improving wildlife habitats, and responding to emergencies. WHY/GOAL? Goal is to essentially care for the land and serve the people. With that, a continuous supply of timber and protected water quality is provided, and outdoor recreation as well. SUCCESSES/FAILURES? A success was in 2003 when the Southern Environmental Law Center halted plans to clear 84 acres of trees in the forest. Failure is how the timber oversight in the forest may reveal patterns of mismanagement.
3 DAY ITINERARY VISITING DURING JULY/SUMMER
DAY 1:
DAYÂ 2:
DAY 3:
GUIDED BY: Independent LOCATION: Ocoee River Zone CLOTHING/SUPPLIES: Mountain bike, repellent, biking gear ACTIVITIES/GOALS: Mountain biking in the recreation area. Goal is to learn how to mountain bike for exercise. GUIDED BY: Independent LOCATION: Margarette Falls Hike CLOTHING/SUPPLIES: Backpack, water, snacks, hiking attire ACTIVITIES/GOALS: Hiking along the Margarette Falls Hike and observing the nature and waterfall. Goal is to recongize how my own actions may impact beauty of nature. GUIDED BY: Independent LOCATION: Ocoee Whitewater Center CLOTHING/SUPPLIES: Hiking attire, backpack, camera, pen/pencil, paper ACTIVITIES/GOALS: Participate in the outdoor learning center. Goal is to increase my awareness of environmental issues and what I can do to contribute in maintaining this land.
care for the forest, it cares for you.
NATIONAL RESOURCE LAND (BLM) A. BLM manages public land for multiple recreational uses while conserving natural, historical, or cultural resources. B. BLM was founded in 1946 when Congress merged the GLO and the U.S. Grazing Service, creating the BLM. C. NEPA is an act to promote the enhancement of the environment, mandating environmental assessments of all federal projects, NEPA does not decide alternatives to choose from and does not prevent environmental impacts. D. Wilderness areas include lands in their natural state with minimal human activities. The largest wilderness area is about 36,740 km² in the U.S. while the smallest is about 203 km². Congressional actions include the Wilderness Act of 1964, designating wilderness areas. The purpose is to preserve ecosystems and provide primitive recreation. E. Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area Located in Oregon First established in 1980 when Congress established the different sties within the area as a national resource land. G. General biome type: Consists of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems with the ocean nearby, providing habitats for seabirds and marine life. H. Natural resources: Tide pools, variety of animals including seals, seabirds, and whales I. Uses by humans: Lighthouse to guide cargo ships, exploring tide pools, and learning and observing marine life
BLM CAREERS 1. Wildlife Biologist -Work with other specialists and agencies to improve wildlife habitats on public lands by monitoring animal movements, preparing population studies, and helping to restore/improve important habitat areas.
2. Planning Coordinator -Prepares land use plans for BLM resource lands by consulting with a variety of BLM specialists and meeting with public stakeholders for comments.
3. Land Law Examiner -Unravel legal and historical land confusions to determine land titles by being creative, thinking critically, problem solving, enjoying historical research, and being detail oriented.
4. Mining Engineer -Ensure mining and coal development occurs in an environmentally responsible manner by working closely with mine operators in managing the millions of acres of surface and subsurface land.
5. Geospatial Information Specialist -Provide valuable geospatial data and visual information for land management activities by using geospatial information software to collect data and analysis while being involved in an aircraft system. 6. Law Enforcement Ranger -Manage resource protection and search-and-aid rescues through understanding and conveying conservation management and multiple-use practices and knowing administrative/civil/criminal law as well as constitutional rights. 7. Fire Management Officer -Lead fire crews who extinguish fires, rescue people endangered by fire, and manage fire hazards, while ensuring that their staff is trained and ready to go in case of a wildland fire emergency. 8. Environmental Educator -Engage all learners in outdoor experience to increase appreciation and connection of public lands through creating an educational curriculum and planning events. WHICH BLM CAREER WOULD I CHOOSE? Out of all these BLM careers, I would mostly prefer being an environmental educator. I would choose this career because I most closely identify and resonate with the educational aspect of this career. After taking an environmental science course, I have gained a wider understanding of the environment around me. With that said, I take particular interest in spreading my knowledge of public lands to all kinds of audiences in a public land setting in order to gather their appreciation and understanding of its importance. In doing so, I hope to invoke their participation in managing and protecting these lands through my own curriculum.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE A. 1. 2. 3.
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act 1966 was the origination date. Department of Interior oversees its enforcement. In brief, its purpose is to administer a network of lands and waters to conserve and manage, while restoring living resources to benefit the environment for future generations.
B. Conserving the Nature of America in a Changing Climate Changing climate calls for a greater need to sustain wildlife habitats Climate change can affect fisheries, which in turn, affect economies USFW helps species adapt by moving species with the changing climate One thing I learned from this video that I didn't know before is that the USFW are developing mapping systems and diagrams to help species move and adapt to the slowly changing climate. C. Duck Stamp Allows hunters to hut ducks/migratory birds with a stamp Helps raise money to preserve wetlands and waterfowls Serves as a free pass into any national wildlife refuge Allows birders, natural photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts to observe wildlife at their favorite spots
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ESSAY For many of the national wildlife refuges we see today, they are largely managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works together to enforce federal wildlife laws, protect endangered species, manage migratory birds, restore fisheries, and conserve wildlife habitats. With these functions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assists to develop an environmental stewardship for society, guide the conservation of the nation’s fish and wildlife resources, and administers a national program to help others understand and appreciate wildlife and fish resources. The National Wildlife Refuge I chose to visit is the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in New York. This refuge teems with wildlife and wild lands for the public to experience in all seasons. The history behind the refuge involves the Iroquois Indians, where the Seneca tribe settled in the area back when it was merely a swampy area. Now, this wildlife refuge serves as waterfowl, and is one of over 540 national wildlife refuges in the country managed by the FWS, protecting bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian, fish, and insect species. At the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, 266 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, as well as reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects are all being supported. Significant birds that are protected include the bald eagle, which nest at this refuge site. Another species includes the Canada geese, which make their way to the refuge to nest along their Atlantic Flyway migration route. With all that being said, management of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge addresses the needs of species of concern from black ducks and ospreys to peregrines and the American woodcock.
At the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, 266 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, as well as reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects are all being supported. Significant birds that are protected include the bald eagle, which nest at this refuge site. Another species includes the Canada geese, which make their way to the refuge to nest along their Atlantic Flyway migration route. With all that being said, management of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge addresses the needs of species of concern from black ducks and ospreys to peregrines and the American woodcock. To conclude, the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is a refuge among more than the 540 wildlife refuges that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages in the country. From this, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plays a significant role in managing many refuges to protect endangered or threatened species. Additionally, they help foreign governments with international conservation efforts while distributing hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to fish and wildlife agencies. With that being said, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helps to protect species within the country, while aiding foreign countries and supplying additional agencies.
NATIONAL PARKS SELECTED NATIONAL PARK National Park: Yosemite National Park Biome Type: Taiga biome, temperate forest biome ADDITIONAL NATIONAL PARK National Park: Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve Biome Type:Â Tundra ADDITIONAL NATIONAL PARK: National Park: Badlands National Park Biome Type: Grassland ACTIVITIES Hiking, learning, biking, stargazing
NATIONAL PARKS ESSAY When President Woodrow Wilson created the National Park Service in 1916, the federal regulation of national parks in the country was quickly established. The National Park System consists of a broad history, where according to the “Organic Act,� the system aims to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife to provide natural enjoyment and recreation. With the Executive Order in 1933, 56 national monuments and military sites were transferred to the National Park Service, which helped to further escalate the system that had originated with the establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872. With that being said, the National Park System now comprises more than 400 areas and 84 million acres in all 50 states. The national park I selected was Yosemite National Park located in California. Yosemite National Park is located in Sierra Nevada, California, and is home to bustling taiga and temperate forest biomes. With this, here at Yosemite National Park, beautiful waterfalls, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient sequoias, and vast wilderness areas can be found. However, even with climate change occurring, Yosemite has carefully measured changes in climate patterns in order to conserve their park. Overall, Yosemite National Park remains as a significant beacon for national parks in California with its beauty and wildlife. Aside from Yosemite National Park, an interesting national park includes the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve found in Alaska. This national park is home to one of the many tundras in Alaska. With no roads and trails, this park allows travelers to wander off into the depths of the landscape to find its glaciers and the aurora-lit night skies. In the park, caribou can be commonly found, with grizzly bears leaving their dens, and small mammals emerging from their homes. Gates of the Arctic is one of the fascinating parks that Alaska has to offer.
Additionally, an interesting national Park includes the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. This park is a grassland biome, comprising an expanse of prairies. This park draws tourists from around the world as it is known to contain one of the world’s largest fossil beds. As a result, this park has become one of the largest centers of paleontology, with many fossils been found. Here, on the prairies, bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, ad black footed ferrets roam the park for all tourists to see. In Yosemite National Park, I would look forward to completing a multitude of activities. For one, over my 3 day stay, I would want to go hiking.to hike at Yosemite National Park to look at the beautiful scenery of the park's landscapes and wildlife. Additionally, I hope to educate myself further of the park through tours and interpretive programs that the park has to offer. In doing so, I hope to broaden my understanding and view of the national parks around me. I would also engage in biking, especially with friends and family, as an opportunity to further view the beautiful scenery of the park. Lastly, at night, I would like to stargaze. I hope to exercise my three day stay to its maximum enjoyment. With all of this being said, the National Park system remains to be a fascinating management service. The National Park system focuses efforts on different aspects of the parks. With climate change, the park system still finds ways to measure the changing climate patterns to help parks adjust. Wildlife preservation efforts are also apparent, as certain parks are homes to endangered species as well. The park system also serves to provide education resources through programs in the parks and offering volunteer programs which provide volunteers with hands-on experience with the natural landscape and its conservation efforts. To conclude, the efforts of the park system work to manage and protect the national parks to provide full enjoyment and recreation. With their management, aesthetic value has become a big appeal to many national parks in the country, useful for artistic activities and for one’s own fulfillment. To add, the parks offer a variety of recreational opportunities allowing tourists to maximise their efforts to achieve the greatest recreational enjoyment. Overall, the park system is be to be appreciated and respected for the efforts of management that allow for enjoyment and beauty with nature.
Thank You for reading!