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Tuesday, May 21, 2013 | 2:54 p.m.

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Spring awakens America's national parks

 

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Lynnette Scheidt - 2012 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalist

Lynnette Scheidt - 2012 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalist

Lynnette’s commitment to clean, safe parks spans more than 40 years. Her volunteer group, Friends of McKinley Park, recently led an effort to remove discarded clothing, needles, aluminum cans and tires from one park, while installing playground equipment, garden boxes and irrigation systems at another. Environmental Nonprofit of Choice: Metro Parks Tacoma.

Laura James - 2012 Cox Conserves Heroes Winner

Laura James - 2012 Cox Conserves Heroes Winner

As an eco-friendly scuba diver, Laura commits her time to cleaning up Earth’s oceans. She has long recognized the danger of toxins in our waters and spends time removing batteries and other pollutants from Puget Sound. In addition, Laura volunteers for search and rescue missions. Environmental Nonprofit of Choice: Sustainable West Seattle.

Clyde Kostelecky - 2012 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalist

Clyde Kostelecky - 2012 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalist

Clyde Kostelecky uses his experience leading park projects to transform the way that parks and wildlife are appreciated. In areas such as the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and the Morse Preserve, he has implemented safety measures for animal exhibits, cleared walking trails and promoted conservation. Clyde helps ensure that students and families can enjoy a fun, safe and educational park experience. Environmental Nonprofit of Choice: Northwest Trek Foundation.

 
  • Black bear cubs rest in the sun. Photo courtesy 'Beingmyself'
  • Black-eyed Susans and liatris in bloom. Photo: USFWS Midwest.
  • Rufous hummingbird in Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: Roy W. Lowe, USFWS
  • Green Jays in Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, TX
 Photo: C.V. Vick
  • Green Darner dragonflies at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, NM
. Photo: J.N. Stuart
  • Red-footed booby in Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Pacific Islands. Photo: Laura M. Beauregard, USFWS
  • Dahlia at sunrise at Cape May National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: Laura Perlick / USFWS
  • Spring blossoms in Massachusetts. Courtesy USFWS
  • Yellow warbler at Trustom Pond Refuge (RI). Courtesy USFWS via Flickr
  • Pilot Rock, Bidahochi Formation, Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area. Courtesy NPS
  • Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area
  • Spring in Zion National Park. Courtesy 'BCourchesne' via Flickr
  • Spring in Zion National Park. Courtesy 'BCourchesne' via Flickr.
  • Cape Flattery, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Courtesy 'kquaas' via Flickr
  • Sequoia National Park. Courtesy 'wonderkris' via Flickr
  • Bear in Sequoia National Park. Photo courtesy 'MichaelGat' via Flickr.
  • Crater Lake, Oregon. Courtesy Liao Ming Chen via Flickr.
  • Bison calf - Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Great Horned Owl in Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Bison on the National Bison Range in Montana.
  • Ross' bentgrass (Agrostis rossiae) is a small annual grass endemic to glacial deposits that border active geysers and hot springs within the west-central portion of Yellowstone National Park. Ross' bentgrass takes advantage of its geothermal- influenced environment and germinates from December to January. Teton County, WY.
  • Yosemite Falls, Yosemite NP. Photo courtesy 'jonkriz'.
  • Grand Canyon National Park
  • Cherry Blossoms at the National Cathedral, Washington, DC. Photo courtesy 'Alexander Kafka' via Flickr.
  • Midway Geyser Basin, 
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Courtesy 'Nomadic Lass' via Flickr.
  • Gorgeous blooms and baby animals signal spring's arrival.
  • The big head of pinkish purple ray flowers of this flower attracts many kinds of insects and can be found flowering most of the year. The spiny leaves and bracts discourage close contact with the plant, however.
  • The Logan Pass area in spring is alive with glacier lilies. Here, a carpet of them is backed by Mt. Reynolds
 

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