The Beauties of the United StatesThe Beauties of the United States

By: Students of the Power and Production of New Glarus High School

2003

National Park Location

• Yellowstone National Park Wyoming

• Rocky Mountains National Park Colorado

• Mammoth Cave National Park Kentucky

• Death Valley National Park California

• Badlands National Park South Dakota

• Mesa Verde National Park Colorado

• Everglades National Park Florida

• Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

• Yosemite National Park Nevada

National Park Date Established

• Yellowstone National Park March 1, 1872

• Rocky Mountains National Park January 26, 1915

• Mammoth Cave National Park July 1, 1941

• Death Valley National Park October 31, 1994

• Badlands National Park November 10, 1978

• Mesa Verde National Park June 29, 1906

• Everglades National Park December 6, 1947

• Grand Canyon National Park February 26, 1919

• Yosemite National Park October 1, 1890

• Denali National Park 1980

Most wild life is generated towards the geography of the area

Such animals include:

Bears Buffalo/Bison

Snakes Elk

Species of cats Mountain Goats

Birds-bald eagles, vulchers, falcons…

Reptiles Deer

Coyotes Fox

Our Class has put together a presentation of several power points of the national

parks

Which includes:

• Yosemite

•Yellowstone

•Badlands

• Death Valley

• Everglades

• Grand Canyon

• Mammoth Cave

• Denali-Alaska

Yosemite National Park

By: Tom Sherven

Located Here

Indian People have lived in the Yosemite region for as long as 8000 years.

The Native people of Yosemite developed a complex culture rich in tradition, religion, songs, and political actions.

The first sighting of Yosemite Valley by non-Indian people was by the Joseph Walker party in 1833.

James Hutchings became the first entrepreneurs

Yosemite was the first section of land set aside by the government in 1864, but not yet a national park.

Picture of Mountains in Yosemite

Continued History

John Muir’s struggles against the destruction of the subalpine meadows surrounding the Yosemite Valley resulted in the creation of Yosemite National Park on October 1, 1890.

By 1954 over one million people had visited the park

By 1976 over two million had visited.

And by the mid 90’s the visitation amount was at over 4 million people.

Yosemite is famous for the amount and size of Waterfall

Yosemite Maps

How the mountains and valleys were formed

At least four glaciers formed the walls of Yosemite Valley and helped to create the spectacular cliffs and waterfalls.

The snow from the Sierra Nevada mountain melted and followed the Merced River through Little Yosemite Valley.

Black Bears are very common and can cause great damage to campers and campers’ vehicle.

in 1998 black bears caused 630,000 dollars in damage to vehicles and campsites.

Wildlife of Yosemite

Continued Wildlife of Yosemite…

More than 180 species occupy the forests and valleys of Yosemite National Park.

They contain many birds, including several rare birds, a total of 247 different types of birds.

The park also calls home to coyote, jay, mountain lion, falcons, and ringtail cats.

Yosemite contains two endangered species

Bald Eagle Perigrine Falcon

Facts of Yosemite

Size: 747,956 acres of national park.

highest point: 13,114 feet above sea level.

Trails: 840 miles of trail

Number of visitors per year: 4.1 million

4th most visited among National Parks.

Plants: Fir, oak, pine, and sequoia trees.

Activities to do at Yosemite

Auto touring

Backpacking

Biking

Bird watching

Rock Climbing

Fishing

Hiking

Camping

Rafting

Photography

Skiing

Snowboarding

Swimming

Tours

Wild life viewing

Sequoia Forests

Yosemite is famous for the large Sequoia trees and forests.

Some of the Sequoias stand more than 200 feet tall and over 30 feet in diameter.

They may range from 2,500 to 3,000 years old

Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park

By: Aaron Ruegsegger

History/ Info.History/ Info. In 1795 Yellowstone was

opened for the first time. In the year 1895 the yearly

visitor counts was up to 5,438 visited

1903-1904 the most famous structure in Yellowstone was built- The Old Faithful Inn

1988- fire outbreak that nearly burnt down Old Faithful Inn.

1916 President Woodrow Wilson signed into existence a new government agency, the National park Service forever changing the administration of our national parks

The location of Yellowstone National Park is in Wyoming

This park has a total 2,200,000 square Acres

This is also the Eight largest National Park.

Many AttractionsMany Attractions

One of the famous geysers. Old Faithful.

Yellowstone National Park is home to 10,000 thermal features, over 500 are that of geysers.

Much of Yellowstone sits inside an ancient volcanic calderas

WildlifeWildlife

Biking/ HikingBiking/ Hiking

In Yellowstone there are many trails to either hike or for biking. The trails average from 2 to 9 miles of trails.

CampingCamping

There are 12 campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park. Seven of these campgrounds are operated by the National Park Service.

Which are Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek and Tower Fall.

Camping in Yellowstone is a very unique and interesting visit, with all of the different animals to see and observe.

FishingFishing

Yellowstone National Park is managed as a natural area to protect plants, wildlife, geology and scenery.

None of the fish in this park are stocked, and populations depend on sufficient number of spawning adults to maintain natural reproduction.

Wildlife out of controlWildlife out of control

Although watching the animals, you do not want to stand very close incase it suddenly gets spooked.

Statistically animals rarely get out of control unless they feel endangered.

BadlandsBadlandsBy: Tyler Beutler

Location and SizeLocation and Size The Badlands are located in the South-western

part of South Dakota. The badlands national park consists of 244,000

acres of land. It is blended with the largest, protected mixed

grass prairie in the United States. The wilderness area covers over 64,000 acres.

The Weather & ClimateThe Weather & Climate

The Badlands experience hot, dry summers with occasional violent thunderstorms.

During the winter, they are typically cold with 12 to 24 inches of snow.

Extremely high winds are common year-round.

Badlands during the Winter

Badlands during the Winter

The Badlands in the summer

The Badlands in the summer

Wildlife in the BadlandsWildlife in the Badlands

Bison Black-footed ferret Bighorn sheep

                          

                           

DesignationsDesignations

The National Monument was established on January 25, 1939.

The National Park was established on November 10, 1978.

Important People to the park

Important People to the park

President Franklin Roosevelt issued a proclamation on January 25, 1939 that established Badlands National Monument.

In the late 60's, Congress passed legislation adding more than 130,000 acres of Oglala Sioux tribal land, used since World War II as a U.S. Air Force bombing and gunnery range, to the Badlands to be managed by the National Park Service.

An agreement between the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the National Park Service governing the management of these lands was signed in 1976.

History of the BadlandsHistory of the Badlands The Stronghold Unit is co-managed with the

Oglala Sioux Tribe and includes sites of 1890s Ghost Dances.

The national monument in 1939, and then redesignated “National Park” in 1978.

The national park contains the world’s richest Oligocene epoch fossil beds, dating 23 to 35 million years old.

More Pictures of the Badlands

More Pictures of the Badlands

Death Valley Death Valley

By:Jason Campbell

Photos Death ValleyPhotos Death Valley

Black Mountains

Funeral Mountains

Panamint mountain RangePanamint mountain Range

Death Valley National Park was established on February 11, 1933.

It covers over 3,000 square miles, which is larger than Yellowstone National Park.

The Floor of the Valley is almost 300 ft. below sea level, which is known as the lowest point in the western hemisphere.

Pictures Pictures

Climate weather data for Death Valley

month Average high temp. Average low temp.

Climate weather data for Death Valley

month Average high temp. Average low temp.

January 64.6 39.1 March 80.4 45.6 May 99.3 70.7 June 109 80.3 August 113.2 85.5 November 75.7 48.1 December 65.1 39.4

Why it is called Death ValleyWhy it is called Death Valley Death Valley was named

by gold seekers some whom died crossing the valley during the 1849 California gold rush.

Death Valley had the highest temperature in the United states, with a temperature of 134°

Death Valley terrainDeath Valley terrain

Death valley is a vast terrain of high mountains like Telescope Peak (11,049) in the Panamint range and low points like Death Valley, which from Telescope Peak is about 2 miles below.

Death valley was formed by powerful forces of water, wind and gravity.

History of AreaHistory of Area This area was inhabited with Panamint Indians

when pioneers arrived in 1849. In 1851 Silver was discovered in the area and

49ers came to the area to mine the silver The first wagon party had 30 men in it. By the

end only 18 survived. Most died from starvation and to the elements because of the little rainfall and the harsh climate.

Famous PeopleFamous People

The best known prospector was Death Valley Scotty. He was a colorful personality whose tales help publicize the

valley. He was also involved in the Harmony Borax works. Which

in the 1880’s a 20 mule team hauled their borax loads a grueling 165 miles to a railroad in Mojave.

On this trip they would take about 46,000 pounds of borax at a time.

Pictures of death ValleyPictures of death Valley

Animal lifeAnimal life Desert shrew Silver haired bat Desert cottontail Coyote Badger Bobcat Mule deer Desert big horn sheep

                           

Plant lifePlant life Desert lily Death valley blazing star Desert dandelion Desert Peach Chia

Recreation activitiesRecreation activities

Biking Hiking Camping Sight seeing

The best time to visit death valley is in the spring when most plant life blooms.

Size of Death ValleySize of Death Valley Death valley National

park is about 3.3 million acres.

EvergladesEverglades

By: Griffin Rostan

Where?Where? Spanning the southern tip of the Florida

peninsula and most of Florida Bay, Everglades National Park is the only subtropical preserve in North America.

Everglades National Park has been designated a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance.

What’s in it?What’s in it? It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities,

including; Sawgrass prairiesmangrove and cypress swamps pinelands, and hardwood hammocks

marine and estuarine environments The park is known for its rich bird life;

roseate spoonbill wood stork great blue heronvariety of egrets.

It is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side

HistoryHistory 1916

Royal Palm State Park, on Paradise Key, was created as the first protected area of the Everglades

1923Efforts to campaign for a national park are underway

1928Ernest Coe and other organized the Tropical Everglades park devoted solely to the creation of a national park in south Florida

– Coe, an architect made the everglades park his life work

HistoryHistory 1929

U.S. Congress authorized an investigation into the feasibility of a national park in south Florida

May 30, 1934An act was passed authorizing a park of 2,164,480 acres to be acquired through public and private donation

1944Congress Authorized the establishment of a wildlife refuge

1946Congress appropriated $2 million for the purchase of private lands in the everglades

1947Park is Established

NumbersNumbers 1947

460,000 acres 1950

1,228,500 acres 1958

1,499,533 acres 1989

1,509,533 acres

Total Visitation 1,080,250

Budget$13,604,000 for 2003$13,604,000 for 2002$13,437,000 for 2001$13,172,000 for 2000

ActivitiesActivities Biking Bird Watching Boating Camping Fishing Hiking

FactsFacts The Largest designated wilderness, east of the Rocky

Mountains The Largest Continuous stand of sawgrass in North

America Most significant breeding grounds for tropical wading

birds in N. America A nationally significant estuarine complex in Florida Bay Significant ethnographic resources, revealing 2,000 years

of human occupation Has the largest mangrove forest in N. America

AnimalsAnimals

The Great Blue Heron

AnhingaAnhinga

Grand Canyon National ParkGrand Canyon National Park

John Lahey

FactsFacts The Grand Canyon is one of

the most studied geologic landscapes in the world.

The canyon averages 4,000 feet deep for it’s entire 277 miles.

The Canyon itself has formed only in the past five or six million years.

It is 6,000 feet deep at it’s deepest point.

15 miles at its widest. The park contains several major

ecosystems. The oldest rocks on the canyon

bottom are close to 2000 million years old.

In 2002, the total recreation visits was 4,319,586

LocationLocation The grand canyon is

located in the northwest corner of Arizona.

The Colorado river runs through the grand canyon, but the feature we know as the Grand Canyon lies entirely in Arizona.

SizeSize The park includes

1,218,376 acres or 1,904 square miles.

The Grand Canyon itself is 277 miles long.

If you took a walking trip to the bottom of the canyon and back, it would take two days.

HistoryHistory Professional believed that 3,000 to 4,000 years ago, the

desert Archaic people lived within the grand canyon. Pictographs of many cultures are widely found in the region. By the 1880’s, a number of livestock companies were

developing in the grand canyon area of Arizona. By the 1890’s, there were over 100,000 head of cattle, and

more than 200,000 head of sheep grazing the land.

Plants & AnimalsPlants & Animals The park is home to rare and specially protected

plant and animal species which include:Over 1,500 plant355 bird89 mammalian 47 reptile9 amphibian17 fish species

FunFun Looking at the beautiful views of

the canyon is the number one activity for most of the visitors.

Other activities include:HikingRafting TripsBackpackingMule RidesHorseback RidesCampingScenic Air Tours

PhotosPhotos

The North RimThe North Rim

Mammoth Cave Mammoth Cave

Chase Legler

HistoryHistory

Over 12,000 years ago PaleoIndians discovered the cave

They used the cave for shelter. Mammoth cave was established as a national

park July 1, 1941.It was recognized by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization.

History ContinuedHistory Continued During the war of 1812,

Mammoth Cave was mined by slaves for saltpeter

Saltpeter is a key ingredient in gunpowder.

Which they needed during the war.

Buy the 1800’s the cave was used as a tourist attraction.

Though no one knew quite how large it was.

An early survey, in 1908, revealed 45 miles of passages.

The actual length is around 600 Miles

Animal lifeAnimal life Most of the animals in

mammoth cave are reptiles such as

SnakesToads Frogs

There are also bats in the cave along with some fish in the streams.

LocationLocation The Mammoth cave is

found in Kentucky.

Activates Activates There are many activates to do at the Mammoth

cave national park.CavingHikingCampingFishing Horse back ridingTrail finding

Inside and outside the CaveInside and outside the Cave

Floyd CollinsFloyd Collins Floyd explored Mammoth

cave and got trapped under a rock. Eventually he died but people were looking for him and while looking for him discovered Mammoth Cave.

Mesa Verde National Park Mesa Verde National ParkBy Michael Dahlk

HistoryHistory

Established in 1906 to preserve prehistoric Indian cliff dwellings

Contains hundreds of 13 century old pueblo ruins

Cliff Palace is the largest pueblo ruin Cliff Palace was excavated in 1909

Location & SizeLocation & Size Located in Southwestern

Colorado Near Cortez and Mancos 52,085 acres

DesignationsDesignations

National Park- June 29, 1906 Wilderness- October 20, 1976 World Heritage Site- September 6, 1978

WildlifeWildlife

Golden Eagles Coyotes Mountain Lions Tarantulas Bullsnakes

Recreational ActivitiesRecreational Activities

Skiing in the winter Camping Hiking Sightseeing Horseback riding Whitewater Rafting

PicturesPictures

FactsFacts Mesa Verde means “Green Table” For 1,300 years, Agrarian Indians have occupied

the mesa and surrounding regions Over four thousand archeological sites are in the

Mesa Verde National Park 600 are cliff dwellings Some dwellings have been badly damaged by

looters before it became a national park

Facts ContinuedFacts Continued You can ONLY enter

cave dwellings if a Park Ranger is accompanying you

Mesa Verde National Park seeks to protect and preserve the ancient cliff dwellings

Things To DoThings To Do

Go to evening campfire programs that are given daily from early June to September, in Morefield Campground

During the summer see non-denominational religious services

Things To Do ContinuedThings To Do Continued

At Far View and Chapin Mesa, exhibits illustrate the arts and crafts of both the prehistoric and historic Indians of the region.

Wayside exhibits throughout the park interpret the cliff dwellings and other archeological remains.

ROCKY MOUNTAINSROCKY MOUNTAINS

Researched and CreatedBy Jesse Saunders

Quick FactsQuick Facts

Located in Estes Park and Grand Lake, CO

Gross Area Acres – 265,765

Total Recreation Visits – 3,005,524

Annual Budget (2003 Fiscal Year) – $10,082,000

HistoryHistory Evidence shows man

10,000 years ago Major Stephen H. Long

Came because of governmental expeditionSummer 1820

Joel EstesFirst settler1859

History ContinuedHistory Continued Within a year Estes

holdings became a Welshman

Griff EvansAdded an extra cabinBegan to take in guestsThe first tourist accommodation in Estes Park

Peaceful Park Windham Thomas-Quin

Fourth earl of DunravenCame December of 1872Wanted some “sport” and huntingCame again in ’73, ’74…By ’77 owned much land and built Estes Park Hotel

More HistoryMore History More famous people

came throughHorace FergusonAbner SpragueElkanna J. LambThe JAMES family

Gold and Silver Fever1880’s

Beginning of TourismBeginning of Tourism Boost in tourism when

F.O. Stanley came to help health issues in 1903

Decided to invest:Built a first class hotel

– Stanley Hotel

Built an electric plantDonated money for road improvement

Also transported people via Stanley Steamer Busses

Due to efforts of F.O.Estes Park Protective and Improvement Association was established in 1906 for the purpose of protecting the wildflowers and wildlife and improving roads and trails

The grander viewThe grander view Enos Mills

born in Kansas, but came when he was 14Colorado Snow observerAppointed Government Lecturer on ForestryBought the Longs Peak Inn

1909 proposed National Park and Game Reserve

Rocky LeadersRocky Leaders F.O. Stanley-Stanley Steamer Co.

C.H. Bond

Abner Sprague

Denver Chamber of Commerce and Colorado Mountain Club

What it took to beginWhat it took to begin

Next few yearsMills fulfilled many speaking engagements, wrote many articles and worked to gain support

Envisioned a huge national park

Business interest opposed but over ruled

InceptionInception Park bill drafted and

passed through senateOctober 9, 1914The house January 12, 1915Signed by President Wilson

January 26, 1915

What the Park has to Offer 2003What the Park has to Offer 2003 Auto Touring Backpacking Biking Bird Watching Camping Climbing Cross Country Fishing

Hiking Horseback riding Interpretive Programs Mountaineering Nature Walks Snow Skiing Snow Shoeing Stargazing

Denali National Park

Location and Size

Located in Alaska

Denali covers over 6 million acres

Visitation number: approx. 400,000 visitors per year

1917: Mount McKinley National Park was established

1980: Denali National Park was established

The park was originally established to protect its large mammals, not because of majestic Mount McKinley. Charles Sheldon conceived the plan to conserve the region as a national park. Naturalist, hunter, and conservationist, Sheldon first traveled here in 1906 and again in 1907 with a packer and guide named Harry Karstens. (Karstens later made the first ascent of Mt. McKinley's south peak and would serve as the park's first superintendent.) Sheldon devoted much of his 1907 travels to studying boundaries for the proposed national park that would include territories suitable for a game refuge. When Sheldon returned to the East in 1908, the Game Committee of the Boone and Crockett Club, of which he was chairman, launched the campaign to establish a national park. Largely due to these efforts, Mount McKinley National Park was established in 1917. Its population of Dall sheep and other wildlife were now legislatively protected. However, Mount McKinley itself was not wholly included within the boundaries.

HistoryHistory

Continued HistoryContinued History The North peak of Mount McKinley, the true summit was reached for the first time in 1913 by three American climbers. Harry Karstens, the park’s first superintendent was one of the three to complete the climb.

Plants and AnimalsPlants and Animals Denali National park contains many species of animals.

They include: Dall Sheep, Caribou, Grizzly Bears, Gray Wolves, Moose, and 32 other smaller species.

Birds: 159 species, including gyrfalcons, hawk owls, goshawks, golden hawks, golden eagles, and artic terns

Mount McKinleyMount McKinley

Denali National Park is famous for Mount McKinley

CreditsCredits This PowerPoint was put together by our power and production class in New Glarus, Wisconsin. Our class was made up of Tyler Beutler, Jason Campbell, Michael Dahlk, John Lahey, Chase Legler,Griffin Rostan, Aaron Ruegsegger, Jesse Saunders, and Tom Sherven.