NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Friday, December 1, 1995

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

No incident reports received.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Point Reyes (California) - Tule Elk Study

On November 27th and 28th, the park began the first phase of a multi-year study
of tule elk in conjunction with the National Biological Service and the
California Department of Fish and Game.  Researchers will study the population
dynamics of the herd at Point Reyes, which was reintroduced in 1978.  The herd
has grown to about 300 animals and occupies a reserve of about 2,600 acres.  On
Tuesday, field teams employed helicopters and net guns to successfully capture
20 adult females.  Team members assessed their general condition, attached
radio collars and ear tags, took body measurements, and obtained samples for
fecal and blood analysis.  On the following day, the teams also radio-collared
22 deer (10 fallow, 10 native black-tailed and two axis deer) in order to study
ungulate competition in the area recently burned in the Mount Vision Fire.  The
entire operation occurred without incident.  [Sarah Allen and Don Neubacher,
PORE]

OPERATIONAL NOTES

1) Leave No Trace - The "Leave No Trace" (LNT) program, a joint effort of the
NPS, BLM, Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service in conjunction with the
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and LNT, Inc., is now offering
training courses on educating the public and employees on responsible use of
wildlands.  Interested persons can take courses leading to either "trainer" or
"master" certification.  Pamphlets, posters, brochures, training curricula and
videos are also available.  If you're interested, please contact NOLS at 1-800-
332-4100; LNT, Inc. at 1-303-442-8222; or Leave No Trace masters Tim Devine
(ROMO), Hugh Dougher (NOCA) or Roger Semler (GLAC), all on cc:Mail by name.  

OBSERVATIONS

"Public appreciation and support are the salvation of protected areas. 
Interpretation is potentially the foremost tool for engendering a loyal
advocacy...In its vision statement, the (NPS) has stressed the absolute
necessity for reinvigorating its educational and interpretive program efforts. 
This strategy obviously is aimed at broadening the base of public support for
parks and open space.  Park and protected areas staff must acknowledge the need
for interpretive involvement in the important task of helping parks to survive. 
It is critical that interpreters become the activists of the park movement, not
merely its academic observers.  Interpretation cannot continue to be a
passenger.  It must become a driver."

                                        James Thompson and James Mack, "The
                                        George Wright Forum", Volume 12,
                                        Number 2, 1995

Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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