Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

Nobody:
Your parents describing walking to school in winter:

It was five miles in deep snow with limited wi-fi! Hiking in winter can be a beautiful thing. If you like hiking in winter. It's not for everyone and that's okay. But there's nothing like being out on a trail as a hush falls while snow blankets the landscape.

But remember, when you head outdoors you leave behind the established comforts of home: food and water; shelter from the sun, wind, and cold; and easy access to emergency services. Before heading to your favorite national park in snowy weather, keep these “parents walking to school tips” in mind.

🎿 Snowshoes and traction devices are recommended on ice and snow. In winter, some trails are not always marked or maintained. Route-finding skills are important. Don’t rely on others' tracks which can lead you astray. Think of it as peer pressure with feet.

❄️ Know your route. Snow-covered landscapes look very different than in summer. (Because they're covered in snow.) Snow can be deep once you are off trail. We're not talking philosophical snow here, but the kind that will be up your jacket and down your pants faster than you can say, "darn it." (Or other things.) Fun.

🧊 Keep off the ice. Sticking to rivers and lakes may be safer than chasing waterfalls, but they too can have thin ice and be dangerous to maneuver on and around. Always be willing to turn around. Remember, weather and trail conditions can change quickly as snow falls and melts or ice forms.

🦬 Watch for wildlife. Always keep your distance and practice safe wildlife viewing practices. Also, bison have never heard of turn signals. Figures. Only pass when it's safe.

Image: A line of bison push snow around to make a path, and then play 'follow the leader' to conserve energy at Yellowstone National Park. NPS/Jim Peaco

Join the National Park Service to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Participate in a day of service on January 15 from 10 am-2 pm, and help us with trail maintenance on Capers Creek Trail at Darrah Hall. Gloves and tools provided. Please bring water and wear closed-toed shoes. Learn more on our website: https://www.nps.gov/reer/getinvolved/volunteer.htm


NPS

The first five days after the weekend are always the hardest…

What does the fox say? Five more minutes, please. With its exceptional hearing, the red fox can detect a small animal scurrying up to three feet under the snow. (Also, Bill's remark about having to email you again for those progress reports. You'll get them when you get them, Bill.) They will dive into the snow in an attempt to surprise their prey. (Diving will not help send those emails any faster.) Do they always catch something? Nope. Do they get up and try again? Yes! Especially if someone's watching.

Learn more about red foxes at: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/red-fox.htm

Image: A fox with feet in the air after diving head-first into the snow at Yellowstone National Park.

Although this color is not commonly seen for cacti in Mojave National Preserve, this purple cholla is a beauty. Can anyone guess what species it is? To learn more about the plants in the preserve, please visit: https://go.nps.gov/mojave/plants

NPS Photo/ Sierra Willoughby

New year, new trails!

If your New Year's resolution is to by hiking more in 2024, then you're in luck! Chamizal National Memorial features paved trails that lead you through 55 acres of gently rolling landscape. Whether you wish to get more steps in or to just spend more time outside to clear your mind, the park is a great option for reaching some wellness goals. Just be sure to plan ahead and check the park website for winter hours of operation.

Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate layers. Bring water to stay hydrated. Be mindful of fellow visitors on the trail and watch for people riding bikes and walking dogs on leash.

An outdoor comfort station is available on park grounds and bathrooms inside the Cultural Center are available during daytime hours of operation.

See you on the trails!

Me: “I’m an expert at identifying birds.”
Friend: “OK, what about those birds flying over there?”
Me: “Yep, they're all birds.

Not wrong. Birds are everywhere. They soar overhead, flit through branches, walk on the ground, and swim in the water. From the tiny calliope hummingbird to the gigantic California condor, a great diversity of birds finds a home in the national parks. Even more species pass through during migration. Casual observers and hardcore birders alike can experience the joy of birds and birding in a national park.

If you're curious about nature and want to learn more about what's around you, birding is a great skill and a fun hobby. Birding can be a gateway into recognizing and appreciating a wider world that was there all along.

What's that bird, again? Find out about birding opportunities in parks at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/birds/visit.htm

Image: A Female Northern cardinal with greenish feathers perched in the snow at Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Dry January?

Did you know Death Valley is the driest place in North America, with some areas receiving less than two inches of rain per year? Not thirsty at all. Why so dry? Rain shadows. Storms moving inland from the Pacific Ocean must pass over mountain ranges to continue east. As the clouds rise up they cool and the moisture condenses to fall as rain or snow on the western side of the ranges. By the time the clouds reach the mountains' east side they no longer have as much available moisture, creating a dry "rainshadow". Four major mountain ranges lie between Death Valley and the ocean, each one adding to an increasingly drier rainshadow effect.

Learn more about the weather conditions throughout the year at Death Valley at: https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/nature/weather-and-climate.htm

Image: Cracked salt at Badwater Basin’s salt flats at Death Valley National Park.

Ex-seal-lent parking job.

*When you wake up on January 1st and immediately regret your resolutions*

Don’t worry, these party pals were escorted safely back to the beach by park rangers early in the morning. When visiting Point Reyes in the winter, please remember that northern elephant seals can be found on many park beaches, and sometimes even parking lots! Please by respecting current closures and keeping more than two car-lengths away from these seasonal residents. For more information on current conditions visit: https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/conditions.htm



NPS Photo/K. Hernandez

This week's article is a shout out to the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who have donated millions of hours to the NPS since the program began in December 1970. Are you an NPS volunteer? If so, tell us where in the comments below!

https://home.nps.gov/articles/000/50-nifty-finds-40-helping-hands.htm


Independence NHP, Edgar Allan Poe NHS & Thaddeus Kosciuszko NM Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Complete and otter chaos.

Avoid the gym and head outdoors. Visiting a national park can increase your physical activity. (We’re not even including being chased by a wild animal. Fun.) While you’re out exploring new places, enjoying beautiful landscapes, and learning about America’s cultural resources and history, you’re moving your body. (I like to move it, move it.) Whether you choose to walk, run, hike, float or bike — at a leisurely or heart pumping pace — (float at a heart pumping pace?) you’re improving your physical and mental health. (Unless you’re overthinking the floating.) We otter know, right?

Learn how to improve your health in wellness while visiting parks at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/health-and-wellness-benefits-of-parks.htm

New year, new podcast?

We’re all ears! Looking for a new podcast series to kick off the new year? My Park Story, a “parkcast” hosted by the National Park Service, tells the stories of individuals who share their unique connections to the parks and the National Park Service in their communities. Listen as we explore personal stories of enjoyment, education, and inspiration in these special places and spaces.

Check out ten episodes at: https://www.nps.gov/podcasts/my-park-story-podcast.htm (Also found on Apple Podcasts)

Image: What large ears you have. Better to listen to new podcasts. A deer shows off its ears at Zion National Park

New year. New resolutions. (Otherwise known as casual promises to yourself that you’re under no legal obligation to fulfill.) No pressure, dude. (But nice marmot.)

National parks are great places to explore or set new goals in. Did you know that activity outside is proven to make you smarter, stronger, happier, and more productive? To achieve those traits, we recommend planning your park adventure ahead of time, following park regulations, and practicing safe and responsible behavior. (That marmot may be friend shaped, but it has all the friends it needs.)

Learn more about the benefits of getting outdoors, when it’s warmer, for all our cold-area folks, or right now at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/naturesbenefits.htm

What are some of your national park goals in 2024?

Image: A marmot perched on a rock at Mount Rainier National Park. NPS/T. Darling

Tips to stay awake on New Year’s Eve:

🎉 Be active and talk to people. If you’re around friends or family for New Year’s, make conversation with them about national parks, bison, birds, that time you ran into a spider web, or when you pushed a slower friend down after seeing a bear (assuming that friend is not in attendance. Awkward.) Go with whatever you think others would like to hear over and over.

🎉 Stay on your feet. Dance (like no one’s watching but everyone is), walk around the house or challenge your friends to a hike around the block. Let’s not go all 20-mile trek across the Grand Canyon. Make sure and wear proper footwear as slipping on an icy patch in flip flops is not the best way to start your “new year, new you” resolution. Why are you like this?

🎉 Whatever you do, just make sure not to sit or lay down for long periods of time. You don’t want to get too comfortable or you might end up testing your eyes for an hour or four. (Happy January 2nd!)

You got this! It’ll be a hoot! Soon enough it will be midnight! Then you can immediately go to bed.

Image: Two Mexican spotted owls, one with eyes open, the other with eyes closed perched at Zion National Park.

What was one of our most popular posts of 2023?

Chasing waterfalls, of course.

As we head into 2024, remember, waterfalls in parks are popular places for viewing and taking photos. While beautiful to see, they can pose risks to unprepared visitors. Slippery rocks, steep slopes, ‘90s nostalgia, and undercurrents can catch you by surprise when walking through or in the vicinity of a waterfall.

What’s the rush? (Besides the water.) If you’re exploring a waterfall, make sure to know the potential hazards. Keep a safe distance from the edge, avoid slippery rocks, wear stable shoes (flippy floppies may lead to sloppy slippies) and always watch your footing.

Image: Screenshot of National Park Service tweet that reads, “Don't go chasing waterfalls...cautiously approach and be careful of slippery conditions. In fact, you may just want to stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to.”

What do you call a falcon born in the 1980s and mid-1990s?

A Millennial Falcon, of course. A bad joke that was. We can hear the groans from every quadrant. This peregrine falcon is not impressed. It also thinks it could make the Kessel Run in less than 14 parsecs. Impressive. That’s like 3 light-years give or take. (We don’t know, it’s out of our wheelhouse. If there are any Star Trek or LOTR followers that want to chime in, go for it.)

Now that we’ve offended everyone (going solo), for those still reading, falcons are fast. They are expert hunters, and their dive speeds can reach over 200 miles per hour. They frequently perch on the rays of the Statue of Liberty's crown, which provide an excellent starting point for dives.

Image: A Peregrine Falcon perched on one of the rays of the statue's crown, with Lower Manhattan in the background.

Who did it better?

A huge THANK YOU to the incredible Cuyahoga Valley maintenance team for swiftly repairing the footbridge on the south eastern side of the Ledges Trail! It was recently damaged by a fallen tree. Bravo!

We’re back with another edition of , and it is just in time for this magical season!

This one-hundred-year-old membership card from the Society of American Magicians was found long ago on a cave tour route inside Mammoth Cave. While a magician’s membership card inside the cave is a pretty cool discovery, this card is especially interesting because it bears the signature of then society president and arguably the most famous illusionist of all time – Harry Houdini! Wow!

Now the card is safely preserved within the park’s curatorial collection. We just hope it doesn’t try to escape!

To learn more about museum management and view virtual exhibits from parks across the nation, check out this link: https://ow.ly/tOPL50Qmz7c

As you make those New Year’s resolutions, don’t forget to add in to always be safe around wildlife and encourage others to be safe and respectful too. You might be thinking, “really, National Park Service social media manager? Do you have to say that? Isn’t warning the public about keeping their distance from wildlife like amazing job security?” We digress.

It’s said many people set a resolution based on what they think they should do, rather than what they actually want to do. When it comes to wildlife safety, you should do both. Let’s be honest, resolutions are hard to keep and sometimes “vacation brain” takes over or lets you down. “Where are my car keys? Why is Grandma taking her shoes off near the hot springs? I think that bear is my friend?”

In the new year, keep yourself and other visitors safe and wildlife wild by setting a good example! Remember to treat wildlife with proper caution and respect. Learn more ways to stay safe at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/watchingwildlife/7ways.htm

P.S. If your new year’s resolution involves more travel, we got you covered. Come see us! Exercise more? We can help with that too. Think hiking and not being chased by a disgruntled bison. (Hmm, think of the cardio…Nope. Nada. Not going there.)

The National Park Service announces the designation of 11 communities across the United States as American World War II Heritage Cities.

The American World War II Heritage Cities Program honors the contributions of local towns, cities, counties and their citizens who stepped into the workforce to support America's war effort during World War II.

The 11 newly designated communities are:

* Foley, Alabama
* Tempe, Arizona
* Richmond, California
* Wilmington, Delaware
* Waterloo, Iowa
* Baltimore County, Maryland
* Johnson County and Warrensburg, Missouri (joint community nomination)
* Hastings, Nebraska
* Boulder City and Henderson, Nevada (joint community nomination)
* Yonkers, New York
* Bedford County, Virginia

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/national-park-services-announces-new-american-world-war-ii-heritage-cities.htm

Image: The National D-Day Memorial, located in Bedford County, Virginia, preserves the legacy of D-Day, including Virginia National Guard soldiers from Company A, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, “Bedford Boys” based in the town of Bedford. Photo/National D-Day Memorial Foundation

National parks are home to awe-inspiring landscapes and iconic wildlife, including habitat for threatened and endangered species. Today marks the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). When passed in 1973, it recognized that our rich natural heritage is of "esthetic, ecological, educational, recreational, and scientific value to our Nation and its people." It further expressed concern that many of our nation's native plants and animals were in danger of becoming extinct.

Learn more at: https://www.fws.gov/story/2023-03/celebrating-50-years-endangered-species-act

Image: Now being reintroduced into the wild at parks in South Dakota, the Black-Footed Ferret was once almost extinct due to habitat loss and non-native disease.

The space between December 26th and January 1st, where you don’t know what day it is, who you are, and what you’re supposed to be doing…

How about a nap?

(Three hours later)

Well, that did nothing. Maybe some trip planning? Whether you want to explore local places or plan a big park vacation, you can find a place to suit your interests! Get started at: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit

Image: A prairie dog at Devils Tower National Monument sits beside a burrow with legs spread and a blank expression as it contemplates New Year's resolutions that it will not keep.

Kick off the new year on the right foot!

National parks are a great place to begin your new year's resolution of enjoying the health benefits of parks while also admiring the stunning scenery.

Find tips to plan your hike, plus some yearlong challenges to keep going at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/first-day-hikes.htm

Share your experience and inspire others on social media using and !

📸: A hiker on the Mount Storm King trail at Olympic National Park. NPS/Nicole Segnini

Happy First Day of Kwanzaa!
Principle of the Day: UMOJA -- UNITY

We hope to see you at our in-person Kwanzaa celebration, which begins today! For details, please see our calendar: https://www.nps.gov/afbg/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

Happy holidays from our family to yours! If you are in town this weekend, we will be open Thursday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm. Stop by and visit with a ranger to learn more about A.G. and Minnie Gaston, the movement, and the role the Motel played in the historic events of 1963!

NPS Picture / Hunter Miles Davis: A black vintage car from the 1960s glistens with light rain, stationed in the courtyard at the AG Gaston Motel. The picture was taken during a special field trip event this past September 14, 2023. Though we don't currently have vintage cars on display, it's easy to imagine how they must have looked with the newly restored Motel exterior. A big thanks to photographer Hunter Miles Davis from New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park for this amazing picture!

Please note the A.G. Gaston Motel will be closed for the holidays on Thursday December 28 - Saturday December 30.

Thank you Alabama News Center for the article about the progress taking place at the AG Gaston Motel! We are grateful to partner with the City of Birmingham Government in the ownership and management of this historic space. We are also fortunate to have amazing staff leading tours at the site, such as Jamie Jordan, who is an AmeriCorps volunteer and featured in this article. Stop in at the Motel today through Saturday from 10am - 4pm to see the exhibits and chat with a ranger!

Seven years after its creation, development of Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument picking up speed The following is part of Alabama News Center’s ongoing series, “Bending Toward Justice,” focusing on the 60th anniversary of events that took place in Birmingham during 1963 that changed the face of the city, and the world, in the ongoing struggle for equality and human rights. The series name...

Partner Spotlight! We are so honored to work alongside the living legends who marched so that all of us might be more free. Thank you to the Civil Rights Activist Committee/Foot Soldiers for connecting with students on a field trip we collaboratively hosted on September 14th. Young people were amazed to learn that some children as young as 6 years old participated in demonstrations during the historic spring, summer, and fall of 1963.

Photo 1: Ranger Kat poses with 5 members of the Footsoldiers Activist Committee, in front of the stairs leading up to 16th Street Baptist Church on a warm fall day. NPS Photo / Kelvin Seals

Photo 2: Footsoldiers greet students and sign autographs at a table in front of Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. BCRI Photo / Brittni Martin

Upcoming event tomorrow! Amazing educational program coming from the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.

Join us on Saturday, December 9th at 10:00 am to celebrate and learn more about rural Alabama at our Lowndes Interpretive Center!

At 10:00 am, hear from the Alabama State Director for USDA Rural Development about the future of rural Alabama.
Then learn about the Lowndesboro School Project with Ms. Josephine Bolling McCall and The Elmore Bolling Initiative at 11:00 am:
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=E540A992-BCA1-31EF-628CC40E7E9CC58C

These free events are open to the public, and there will be light refreshments.

(Photo courtesy of the Elmore Bolling Initiative)

As the weather turns cold, now is a great time to hunker down with a good book. One of our park favorites is The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis. For resources to help bring the historical elements of the book to life, check out our website: https://www.nps.gov/bicr/learn/education/the-watsons-go-to-birmingham-1963.htm

Thank you to The Center for Children's Books for their leadership, collaborations with Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 16th Street Baptist Church, Kids in Birmingham 1963, and the many others in putting this website together!

September 14th we also launched FREE field trip programs for middle schoolers based on the book, and funded by the National Park Foundation, Alabama Humanities Alliance, and others! Pictured here are actors from Make It Happen Children's Theater who helped portray the fictional family and bring the story to life for the 500+ participants! We have a special program coming up on January 19th all about the Watsons. Stay tuned!

Picture: Kelvin Seals / NPS
The 5 members of the Watsons family, plus Grandma Sands, pose together in front of 1960s cars parked inside the Gaston Motel courtyard. The family is dressed in 1960s clothing, smiling big for the camera.

Upcoming art exhibit opening THIS FRIDAY that commemorates the 33 lynching victims in Jefferson County. Black Cherry Tree Project will lead the community on a healing journey through creative expression. The exhibit will be up until January 14.

🌸 Unveiling Roots and Wings: The Second Annual Exhibition of The Black Cherry Tree Project is here. Branches of Memory: Celebrating New Voices of The Black Cherry Tree Project – Second Annual Exhibit invites you to witness the power of art as a conduit for history, memory, and dialogue.

Join us from Dec 8th for a transformative experience at with performance pieces taking place on Dec. 15 at .ensley , as we introduce a new cohort of artists who have journeyed with us since April, each bringing their own light to stories that have long awaited the dawn.

🎨✨ Be part of the conversation. Be part of the healing.

Staff spotlight: Ranger Kia!

Listen in as she describes her experiences in the National Park Service in the podcast series, Conservation Diaries. This series highlights youth voices as they share their passion and commitment to conservation of America's natural and cultural treasures, and why it is important for youth to be involved in the stewardship of their public lands. Ranger Kia was interviewed by Nicole Segnini in 2022.

Kia got her start at the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail, and now we are lucky to have her in Birmingham!

Here in Birmingham, you may spot Kia helping out at the AG Gaston Motel. On Wednesdays, she welcomes guests at the newly opened Greyhound Bus Depot at Freedom Riders National Monument.

Conservation Diaries: Kia Hill, Storyteller of Black History and Administrator (U.S. National Park Service) Conservation Diaries is a podcast series from the voice of the youth of the National Park Service as they share their passion and commitment to conservation of America's natural and cultural treasures. Listen as interns, volunteers, fellows, or employees across the National Park Service share their....