National Parks

In other news, Tooele Valley residents are opposing a possible data center, concerned about water and a lack of transparency. And, fire restrictions are dropping at some national parks.

Having more visitors can take a toll on aging infrastructure and individual experiences at the parks. Federal changes have also impacted ecosystems, projects, and staffing.

The new chapter will cover about 650 workers at park sites or offices in states like Utah, New Mexico, and Montana. They're not the first to unionize after cuts to the federal workforce.

Traditional methods to see how many people are getting outdoors include trailhead surveys and vehicle counters. However, those don't capture all visitors, especially in less popular areas.

Lawmakers failed to renew the Legacy Restoration Fund last year, but are now pushing to reauthorize it for the country's 250th birthday. It would support hundreds of projects, including in Utah.

Fixed anchors, which are often permanent bolts hand-drilled into rock walls, have been a subject of debate in recent years. Federal agencies are asking for public comment on their use.

When I received news of Robin Pendery's death from plunging into a crevasse on Mt. Denali, North America’s highest, I was crushed. How could someone so vibrant, so young, so skilled and giving to all who knew her, have perished?

In Colorado, visits dropped about 8% in the first year after wildfires. But recreation stayed flat or even increased after low-intensity prescribed fires.

Dima Khalifa shares with Amy Nadel the story of her mixed religion upbringing, working in national parks, and coming to find home in Zion.

With the United State's 250th birthday this year, however, domestic travel is expected to increase — pushing advocates and politicians to ask Congress to renew a key fund for overdue parks repairs.