America the Beautiful Passes

America the Beautiful passes provide access to more than 2,000 national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, grasslands, and other federal lands.

The passes are valid at more than 2,000 Federal recreation sites where Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee(s) are charged by the following agencies:

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) http://www.blm.gov

Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) http://www.usbr.gov

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) http://www.fws.gov

USDA Forest Service (USDA FS) http://www.fs.fed.us

National Park Service (NPS) http://www.nps.gov

Four passes are available:

 - free annual pass to current military members and their dependents

 - free lifetime pass for people with permanent disabilities

 - $10 lifetime senior pass for those aged 62 and over

 - $80 annual pass for the general public.

sources: Recreation.gov, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

USA First Day Hikes

First Day Hikes take place all across the USA on New Year's Day. The hikes began as a way to promote America's State Parks while encouraging the public to start off the new year with a healthy, outdoor active lifestyle.

“Studies have proven that getting outdoors is one good way to relax and recharge the body, mind and spirit.” stated Phil McNelly, Executive Director of the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD). “We hope that hiking along a trail in a state park will become part of an individual’s or family’s regular exercise routine.”

First Day Hikes occur each New Year's day and some states even offer multiple hikes. First Day Hikes originated in Massachusetts 20 years ago. In the USA, all 50 state park systems sponsor First Day Hikes.

source: www.americasstateparks.org

CWA Goose Lake Watershed Land Aquisition

At its November 2013 meeting, the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved an array of grants to help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout the state.

Among the new projects is a $2.3 million grant to the California Waterfowl Association to acquire approximately 1,670 acres of land for the purpose of protecting wetlands and associated upland habitat areas in the Goose Lake watershed.

Located in the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, Goose Lake watershed supports numerous migratory birds and threatened and endangered species. Goose Lake watershed serves as an important stopover along the Pacific Flyway.

For more information about the WCB, please visit www.wcb.ca.gov.

source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife

USA National Scenic Trails

The National Trails System was established by Act of Congress in 1968 (amended 2009). The Act grants the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture authority over the National Trails System.

The Act defines four types of trails. Two of these types, the National Historic Trails and National Scenic Trails, can only be designated by Act of Congress.

There are 11 National Scenic Trails:

    Appalachian National Scenic Trail
    Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
    Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
    North Country National Scenic Trail
    Ice Age National Scenic Trail
    Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
    Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
    Florida National Scenic Trail
    Arizona National Scenic Trail
    New England National Scenic Trail
    Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

source: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey