SchmidtTravels
@schmidttravels.bsky.social
Explorer of Public Lands, by foot and by book
Pinned
Books of 2025: Blue Highways by William Least-Heat Moon.
The author circumnavigates the country with only rare stretches of four-lane highway, finds remote towns, has conversations with interesting local residents. A classic perspective of the disparate pockets of American culture. 4⭐
The author circumnavigates the country with only rare stretches of four-lane highway, finds remote towns, has conversations with interesting local residents. A classic perspective of the disparate pockets of American culture. 4⭐
Reposted by SchmidtTravels
The US is facing a significant loss in international tourism in 2025, with the World Travel & Tourism Council(WTTC) projecting a $12.5 billion drop in international visitor spending.
This makes the US the only country out of 184 studied to be projected to see a decline, driven
This makes the US the only country out of 184 studied to be projected to see a decline, driven
November 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The US is facing a significant loss in international tourism in 2025, with the World Travel & Tourism Council(WTTC) projecting a $12.5 billion drop in international visitor spending.
This makes the US the only country out of 184 studied to be projected to see a decline, driven
This makes the US the only country out of 184 studied to be projected to see a decline, driven
Reposted by SchmidtTravels
Turned out it was on defeating the public lands sell off in the Big Bad Bill. It ignored attempts to repeal the Roadless Rule and the nomination of a BLM director in Steve Pearce who wants to sell off public lands as well as the push to extract at every turn. flatheadbeacon.com/2025/11/23/m...
Montana's Public Lands Birthright Under Threat from Sell Off Steve’s Nomination - Flathead Beacon
Montanans’ way of life is inseparable from our public lands. With over 8 million acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)—including the Missouri River Breaks National Monument and the Lee ...
flatheadbeacon.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Turned out it was on defeating the public lands sell off in the Big Bad Bill. It ignored attempts to repeal the Roadless Rule and the nomination of a BLM director in Steve Pearce who wants to sell off public lands as well as the push to extract at every turn. flatheadbeacon.com/2025/11/23/m...
And, we know from experience that corporate interests will not in good faith protect the environmental areas in which they operation.
Donora Smog, Exxon Valdez, Deepwater Horizon, Cuyahoga River, this list goes on.
Other countries are solving problems without destroying our home planet...
Donora Smog, Exxon Valdez, Deepwater Horizon, Cuyahoga River, this list goes on.
Other countries are solving problems without destroying our home planet...
November 21, 2025 at 7:52 PM
And, we know from experience that corporate interests will not in good faith protect the environmental areas in which they operation.
Donora Smog, Exxon Valdez, Deepwater Horizon, Cuyahoga River, this list goes on.
Other countries are solving problems without destroying our home planet...
Donora Smog, Exxon Valdez, Deepwater Horizon, Cuyahoga River, this list goes on.
Other countries are solving problems without destroying our home planet...
Reposted by SchmidtTravels
Recent polling from Colorado College finds Utah voters care deeply about protecting landscapes, waters, and wildlife.
Support Bears Ears National Monument and other protected public lands that safeguard the interconnected ecosystems sustaining Utah’s communities.
📸: Tim Peterson
Support Bears Ears National Monument and other protected public lands that safeguard the interconnected ecosystems sustaining Utah’s communities.
📸: Tim Peterson
November 21, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Recent polling from Colorado College finds Utah voters care deeply about protecting landscapes, waters, and wildlife.
Support Bears Ears National Monument and other protected public lands that safeguard the interconnected ecosystems sustaining Utah’s communities.
📸: Tim Peterson
Support Bears Ears National Monument and other protected public lands that safeguard the interconnected ecosystems sustaining Utah’s communities.
📸: Tim Peterson
An interesting documentary on regenerative farming, wildlife restoration, and ecosystem renewals.
kissthegroundmovie.com
kissthegroundmovie.com
Kiss the Ground Film | Official Website
Narrated and featuring Woody Harrelson, Kiss the Ground is an inspiring and groundbreaking film that reveals the first viable solution to our climate crisis.
kissthegroundmovie.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:38 AM
An interesting documentary on regenerative farming, wildlife restoration, and ecosystem renewals.
kissthegroundmovie.com
kissthegroundmovie.com
On Nov 19th, 1863:
"...we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"
"...we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"
November 19, 2025 at 12:50 PM
On Nov 19th, 1863:
"...we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"
"...we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"
Cool map
Wolf territories, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
#Media Layers in @esriuk.bsky.social ArcGIS Online
🙏Voyageurs Wolf Project #Wolves
FB: tinyurl.com/26mpj8eb
YT: youtube.com/watch?v=sUkB...
#30DayMapChallenge Day 16: Cell
2D Web map: arcg.is/1Oz0aa1
3D Scene: arcg.is/0KaLfX
#Media Layers in @esriuk.bsky.social ArcGIS Online
🙏Voyageurs Wolf Project #Wolves
FB: tinyurl.com/26mpj8eb
YT: youtube.com/watch?v=sUkB...
#30DayMapChallenge Day 16: Cell
2D Web map: arcg.is/1Oz0aa1
3D Scene: arcg.is/0KaLfX
November 16, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Cool map
Another book to add to the reading list.
"The move comes as the March 2025 executive order has been reshaping what national park visitors can read and how history is presented on public land."
This is so very wrong. Great nations are not built on lies.
www.sfgate.com/national-par....
This is so very wrong. Great nations are not built on lies.
www.sfgate.com/national-par....
Trump admin to ban book from Yosemite National Park, says author
The Trump administration's censorship directive has reportedly targeted Obi Kaufmann.
www.sfgate.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Another book to add to the reading list.
I didn't know there were elk in Michigan. 🤷♂️
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is considering expanding the state's elk hunting season beginning in 2026.
Michigan DNR proposes extending elk hunting season to 45 days
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is considering expanding the state's elk hunting season beginning in 2026.
www.cbsnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I didn't know there were elk in Michigan. 🤷♂️
Will there be rangers posted at Phantom Ranch during the shutdown? If not (and with no drinking water at Bright Angel Campground), this seems like a recipe for disaster for inexperienced backcountry hikers. (there is water at Phantom Ranch, so some mitigation there).
The National Park Service (NPS) announced that Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground will reopen to Grand Canyon visitors on Nov 1.
Grand Canyon's Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground to reopen
The National Park Service (NPS) announced that Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground will reopen to Grand Canyon visitors on Nov 1.
www.abc4.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Will there be rangers posted at Phantom Ranch during the shutdown? If not (and with no drinking water at Bright Angel Campground), this seems like a recipe for disaster for inexperienced backcountry hikers. (there is water at Phantom Ranch, so some mitigation there).
The Senate Appropriations committee passed Dept of Interior proposal with a 26-2 bipartisan vote. I wrote to my Senators and asked them to vote for it with no amendments, please do the same. Not perfect, but much much better than the House proposal.
www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
October 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The Senate Appropriations committee passed Dept of Interior proposal with a 26-2 bipartisan vote. I wrote to my Senators and asked them to vote for it with no amendments, please do the same. Not perfect, but much much better than the House proposal.
www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
Reposted by SchmidtTravels
October 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Reposted by SchmidtTravels
This Wednesday at 9 PM ET #ParkChat welcomes @yellowstonenpgeek.bsky.social as our special guest host. She’ll be cooking up a “Yellowstone Stew” which I suspect to be especially yummy. @naturetechfam.bsky.social and I will have an announcement or two right up top. Don’t be late please.
October 5, 2025 at 6:59 PM
This Wednesday at 9 PM ET #ParkChat welcomes @yellowstonenpgeek.bsky.social as our special guest host. She’ll be cooking up a “Yellowstone Stew” which I suspect to be especially yummy. @naturetechfam.bsky.social and I will have an announcement or two right up top. Don’t be late please.
Ran across this book and author recently.
Jennifer Hahn believes foraging can be a means to steward the natural world and its complex, interdependent web of inhabitants. Her third book, “Pacific Harvest: A Northwest Coast Foraging Guide,” has in-depth instructions for sourcing and cooking dozens of locally foraged foods.
From salmonberries to seaweed, Jennifer Hahn teaches the possibilities of 'wild morsels' | Cascadia Daily News
Expert naturalist teaches practical — and ethical — foraging skills in 'Pacific Harvest'
www.cascadiadaily.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Ran across this book and author recently.
Reposted by SchmidtTravels
A friend of ours and strong supporter of #ParkChat Todd Arrington left his position as director of the Eisenhower Library in Abilene, #Kansas this week after a dispute with the current administration. We are deeply saddened how this fine man was treated.
lastcampaign.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
lastcampaign.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
EXCLUSIVE: NARA Ousts Eisenhower Library Director Over Proposed Trump Gift to King Charles
The director, a historian and Army veteran, declined to allow the Trump administration to remove a priceless artifact from the library's permanent collection
lastcampaign.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:45 PM
A friend of ours and strong supporter of #ParkChat Todd Arrington left his position as director of the Eisenhower Library in Abilene, #Kansas this week after a dispute with the current administration. We are deeply saddened how this fine man was treated.
lastcampaign.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
lastcampaign.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Reposted by SchmidtTravels
My kid is doing seasonal work at a national park that does not have a lot of facilities. She works at the only concession stand at high altitude 45 minutes into the park. While the rangers are on furlough they were promised there would always be one ranger near by for emergencies. Well today, 1/
October 4, 2025 at 2:13 AM
My kid is doing seasonal work at a national park that does not have a lot of facilities. She works at the only concession stand at high altitude 45 minutes into the park. While the rangers are on furlough they were promised there would always be one ranger near by for emergencies. Well today, 1/
Reposted by SchmidtTravels
“Even without a government shutdown, a third of the US Geological Survey’s Climate Adaptation Science Centers could wind down or cease operations this week because the Interior Department is refusing to submit paperwork to release funding.”
Trump and his minions are eyeing "wholesale destruction” of environmental science, and they may seek to use the government shutdown as the pretext.
From our friends at @thebulletin.org:
From our friends at @thebulletin.org:
Trump and his minions are eyeing “wholesale destruction” of environmental science
And they may seek to use a government shutdown as the pretext.
www.motherjones.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:27 PM
“Even without a government shutdown, a third of the US Geological Survey’s Climate Adaptation Science Centers could wind down or cease operations this week because the Interior Department is refusing to submit paperwork to release funding.”
More books!
It's Fat Bear Week, when Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska celebrates their brown bear population by holding a tournament in which the public votes online for the fattest, most successful Katmai bear. #FatBearWeek #FatBearWeek2025 #bears #bearbooks #💙📚 #Booksky
September 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
More books!
Reposted by SchmidtTravels
On September 24, 2004, Great Sand Dunes became a National Park and Preserve. Towering dunes, alpine lakes, and starlit skies make this Colorado gem unforgettable. Have you added it to your list? #greatsanddunes #coloradotravel #nationalparks #adventureawaits #mytravelscout
September 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
On September 24, 2004, Great Sand Dunes became a National Park and Preserve. Towering dunes, alpine lakes, and starlit skies make this Colorado gem unforgettable. Have you added it to your list? #greatsanddunes #coloradotravel #nationalparks #adventureawaits #mytravelscout
fyi
Heads up: if you see my National Park Monsters calendar promoted on Facebook or Instagram and it’s not through my account - it’s probably counterfeit. More below.
September 23, 2025 at 2:32 PM
fyi
Oh no, MORE books to add to my reading list!
Grateful to be a finalist for the Banff Mountain Book Festival article prize among excellent company for my @thefence.bsky.social story 'In the Shadow of the Mountain'. www.banffcentre.ca/articles/mou...
2025 Banff Mountain Book Competition category finalists announced
The 50th anniversary Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is thrilled to announce the 2025 Banff Mountain Book Competition category finalists.
www.banffcentre.ca
September 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Oh no, MORE books to add to my reading list!
Link in the story to contact your congressional representatives. The Senate version is the one you want to strongly encourage your Senators to support and defend with few amendments.
Congressional budget proposals a mixed bag for national parks.
Congressional budget proposals a mixed bag for national parks
Two out of three proposals currently on the table could further gut the National Park Service during a critical time
www.ualrpublicradio.org
September 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Link in the story to contact your congressional representatives. The Senate version is the one you want to strongly encourage your Senators to support and defend with few amendments.
Oh, this looks interesting! We have the 10 Days in the USA game that helped my elementary age kids learn US Geography while having fun. A Parks themed one may be a nice addition to our game library.
10 Days in the National Parks Board Game - Video Review
youtu.be/uIGTJxxOmRA
I LOVE this newest version of “10 Days in the…”. The graphic design is great and I really enjoy how the vehicle cards work in this version. I also compare this to the USA version. @theop.games
youtu.be/uIGTJxxOmRA
I LOVE this newest version of “10 Days in the…”. The graphic design is great and I really enjoy how the vehicle cards work in this version. I also compare this to the USA version. @theop.games
September 18, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Oh, this looks interesting! We have the 10 Days in the USA game that helped my elementary age kids learn US Geography while having fun. A Parks themed one may be a nice addition to our game library.
Reposted by SchmidtTravels
"Most on both sides of the debate agree that without Redford's efforts, particularly in the mid-1970s, there probably would be no Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument today." #parkchat
REDFORD FIGHTS ON TO PRESERVE UTAH – Deseret News share.google/6w2vpPihDwYg...
REDFORD FIGHTS ON TO PRESERVE UTAH – Deseret News share.google/6w2vpPihDwYg...
REDFORD FIGHTS ON TO PRESERVE UTAH
What is it about these times that elicits such a chest-beating affront to anything pure, wild and free? What is it about these times that manifests itself in such disregard for things greater than the...
share.google
September 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
"Most on both sides of the debate agree that without Redford's efforts, particularly in the mid-1970s, there probably would be no Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument today." #parkchat
REDFORD FIGHTS ON TO PRESERVE UTAH – Deseret News share.google/6w2vpPihDwYg...
REDFORD FIGHTS ON TO PRESERVE UTAH – Deseret News share.google/6w2vpPihDwYg...