On April 23, one day after Earth Day, we arrived at Big Meadows on Skyline Drive, part of the Shenandoah National Park. Climate change is a research priority for the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service (NPS), which manages all the national parks. Research partners from Interior’s U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are studying how the seasonal timing of natural events is shifting due to climate change. The NPS website informs us about ongoing work to monitor and study conditions in the park. These include:

• Phenology monitoring, the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life: These shifts, particularly an earlier start to spring, have already been observed in the park.
• Greenhouse gas research: The University of Virginia is collecting data in the Pinnacles area of Shenandoah National Park to learn more about greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor.
• Long-term data collection: The Big Meadows area has been contributing important weather information to long-term datasets for a number of years. These datasets allow climate scientists to predict what impacts climate change will have both at Shenandoah National Park and in the region.

We know from the NPS that “scientists at Shenandoah National Park have measured warmer stream temperatures in recent years, which can further stress Shenandoah’s native brook trout. As temperatures and climate conditions change at Shenandoah National Park, plants and animals may no longer be suited to living in the park. The endangered Shenandoah salamander, which is found nowhere else on the planet, is one such animal that may become a climate change casualty."

​It was too early in the season to see any salamanders, but we did find beautiful streams along the forested Appalachian Trail near Big Meadows. 
The salamanders lay their eggs in damp logs, moss, or moist crevices in late spring or summer; one would expect a new crop of baby salamanders by fall. Because salamanders are mostly nocturnal creatures, they would be more likely to be out at night.   
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This species serves several important ecological roles, including “predation on insects and other invertebrates, soil aeration and influence on soil dynamics brought about by burrowing, and they are a food source to other forest animals. Their predation on insects also influences ecosystem processes such as decomposition.”

The NPS is working with partners to better understand the Shenandoah salamander, which is facing extinction. "Monitoring will further describe the species' range and characterize its abundance. Work is also being done to further minimize local human impact on the salamander, such as hiking and camping. In addition, major efforts are being made to understand the potential impacts of climate change on this rare species," the agency reports.

One can think of the Earth as a network of systems, not separate systems. While we want to enjoy hiking in our national parks, it is important to be conscious of the impact we humans have on the environment, tread lightly on it, and give back to restore healthy ecosystems.

How do we do that while addressing climate change? One answer is to look at our energy sources – transitioning from fossil-based to more  renewable energy options. It is encouraging to see solar-powered electric charging stations at parks, businesses, and elsewhere because they represent a low carbon future, except for the manufacturing process. That may be changing, too.

President Biden’s plan to reduce greenhouse gasses that add to a warming climate envisions autoworkers building modern, efficient, electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure to support them. It envisions engineers and construction workers expanding carbon capture and green hydrogen to forge cleaner steel and cement; and farmers using cutting-edge tools to make American soil the next frontier of carbon innovation. The goal is to secure U.S. leadership on clean energy technologies while reducing greenhouse gasses.
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As the nation and the world transition to lower carbon energy sources, we all have a role in protecting the environment for humans, plant, and animal life, including the little Shenandoah salamander. For some suggestions on what you can do, check out this article in Green America.

Feel free to let us know how you're protecting the planet! 



Photos by Marjorie Weisskohl © All Seasons PR 

What struck me this day at Harpers Ferry was not only the physical artifacts of that era – remains of Brown’s fort and the destroyed armory, the restored buildings managed by the National Park Service – but also the legacy of that period we seem to be struggling with as a nation in 2021: freedom, equality, justice and protest.
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My visit to Harpers Ferry on this Martin Luther King holiday weekend unleashed some profound thoughts: I went there to hike with my dog, take pictures, and relax. But the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, where our democratic values and duly elected government were under assault, spoke to me of the symbolism these structures provide of our nation’s history and values. They’re not just buildings. They spoke to me as a new president takes office this week. They’re a reminder of both our history and our aspirations for a better future.

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​We hope that this video on COVID19 Communications will be helpful to any organization trying to manage its communications and operations during the pandemic, especially small businesses and non-profits. It's a collaborative effort between All Seasons PR and StratIQ Consulting. The fact sheet identifies other resources and upcoming webinars. We welcome your feedback.
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It’s mid-January 2020 but you wouldn’t know it from the thousands of people exploring campers and motor homes at the Washington Camping and RV show at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Va., from Jan. 10 to 12. Some came to explore, others to buy that dream camper before peak season arrives.

From the pop-up roofs in vans like the Dodge Ram, reminiscent of the VW’s old pop-top bus, to full size, deluxe motor homes, prospective buyers with backpacks, strollers, and walkers had an opportunity to step inside to see how they’re equipped. And equipped they are. 
 
When driving on the highway, I always wonder what the interiors look like. My favorites in terms of appearance are the small ones made by Airstream. They’re compact, have an aerodynamic design, and are furnished comfortably with double beds, bunks, kitchens with cooking areas and refrigerators. Some have built in showers, tubs and toilets.

The larger vehicles can be quote luxurious. Even Mercedes is in the game, in addition to all the other brands one sees on the road. Sleeping for six, nearly full-size kitchens, fold out awnings to protect your outdoor cooking space, and for those who just cannot free themselves from electronics, space for a large flat-screen TV! Fuel efficiency depends on the model and how you use it. According to the manufacturers, many smaller, Class C camper vans can get up to 18-20 mpg.
 
Not to be overlooked, the campground reps were there in strong numbers, including several from KOA and a few east of Richmond – Jellystone at Gloucester Point, and Bethpage at Urbanna. Both are less than 20 minutes from the Chesapeake Bay. For those able to handle the sleeping bag experience, many of today’s campgrounds have wonderful amenities. Others rent cabins and are dog-friendly.
 
To borrow a phrase from Irving Berlin, “from the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam,” camping however you do it is a wonderful way to get outdoors to enjoy nature and see the country. Be sure to take in some of it in 2020!
 
For more information about future shows, see http://www.gsevents.com/rv-shows.cfm.  They are sponsored by Good Sam Media & Events, which produces MotorHome and Trailer Life magazines and their companion websites.
 
 
Marjorie Weisskohl
CEO, AllSeasonsPR.com
Inspiring people to enjoy and protect the outdoors.
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