Issuu

Meet Our Staff

Graphic Designer

Darssita Bhattacharya

Editor & Designer

Natalia Robles Carré

William Clark Writer

Evan DeAngelis Writer & Editor

Meet Our Staff

Lenna de la Cruz

Graphic Designer

Anastasia Formelio

Isabella Fowler Editor & Designer

Morgan Garrow Writer & Editor

Sofia Little Editor-in-Chief

Marshall McCullough Editor, Technical Advisor

Analiese Haag

Writer & Editor

Lauren Koo Graphic Designer

Meet Our Staff

Anna McHugh Writer & Editor

Aleen Mirza Graphic Designer

Writer

Caleigh Pokallus

Writer & Editor

Annika Noel

Meet Our Staff

Lindsey Wiessner Writer & Editor, Head of Publishing

Emily Yang Writer, Director of Communications

Molly Yesalavich

Graphic Designer

LETTERFROM THEEDITOR

DearReaders,

Thankyoufortakingthetimetoreadourfinalissueoftheyear!TheTrailteam hasworkedhardtodevelopathemethatiscompelling,uplifting,andrelevant intheseenvironmentallyandpoliticallyturbulenttimes.Asyouread,Ihope yourecallanationalorstateparkyou’vevisited(orhopetovisit)andthe memoriesyouhadthere.Timeoutsideisaluxury,anddespitetheirstoried history,nationalparksremainanimportantoutlettoexperiencingthenatural world. Thisissuefocusesonournationalparks,exploringtheirbeauty,complexity, andtheevolvingchallengestheyface.Asyouread,Iencourageyoutoreflecton theparksyou’vevisitedorhopetoexplore.Whatdotheyrepresenttoyou?

Howcanweprotectthesespacesforfuturegenerations?

Asweendouryear,Iwouldliketothankeveryonewhoworkedtobringthis issuetolife.Wehadafastturnaround,engagedwriters,designers,andeditors, andtheresultsspeakforthemselves.Iamincrediblyproudofeveryonewho contributedtoTheTrailthissemester.Thisissueisatestamenttoyour dedicationandvision.Lookingtothefuture,IknowTheTrailwillcontinueto expanditsreach,itsbreadth,anditscapacitytocreate.

The Mojave Desert National Preserve

By: Will Clark

Source:SciencePhotoLibrary (2018) LandscapeOfThe MojaveDesert[Photograph] SciencePhotoLibrary URL

When we typically think of national parksornationalforests,thelastthing wethinkofaredeserts–theyareoften overlookedandunderappreciated.This article is meant to give you a cursory look into the rich history, features, fauna, and flora of one destination in particular:theMojaveDesertNational Preserve.

TheMojaveDesertNationalPreserve (MDNP) was established in 1994 through the California Desert Protection Act, putting 1.6 million acres of land under the protection of the National Parks System (Mojave National Preserve). Although the reserve is named after the Mojave Desert,portionsoftheGreatBasinand Sonoran deserts are also part of this preserve Both the desert and this nationalparkgettheirnamesakesfrom the Mojave tribe, who call themselves PipaAhaMacav,orthe“Peoplebythe River”(AboutUs|FortMojaveIndian Tribe).

The many key features of the Mojave Preserveattracttouristsfromacrossthe world. In particular, the Joshua trees actasthedefactofaceofdesertflora. TheNationalParkServicetellsthetale succinctly:

“Onceclassifiedasagiantlily,modern DNA research has placed it in the Agave family. Like the California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera), the Joshua tree is a monocot–part of the same botanical group that includes grasses and orchids” (Joshua TreesJoshuaTreeNationalPark).

Joshua trees are renowned for their unusuallifespaninwhatisconsidered aninhospitableregion.Typicallyliving for a century-and-a-half, they have been noted to have lived far past this limit: some for three hundred years, and others (albeit incredibly uncommon)uptoonethousand.

Source:JohnDittli (2016) California'sMojaveDesert [Photograph].CreativeCommons.URL

TableofContents

A provider of shelter for the many animals of the deserts, it is protected under the Western Joshua Tree ConservationActputintoplacein2023; this prohibits (without authorization from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife) the tree’s import, export, possession and unpermitted killing (WesternJoshuaTreeConservationAct).

BesidesJoshuatrees,therearemanyother interesting pieces of scenery. At certain timesoftheyear,whenconditionsarejust right, another beautiful feature of the Mojave Preserve can be witnessed: the Wildflower Carpets. When wildflowers bloomneartheKelsoDune,theyappear as carpets of different shades: dune evening primrose, hairy sand verbena, bigelow’smonkeyflower,andmanymore can be seen, creating a staggeringly beautiful mosaic of different colors and shades along the desert’s dunes (Mojave NationalPreserve).

Inregardstofauna,therearehundredsof differentspeciesofanimals.Mammalslike Bighorn Sheep and mountain lions are quite common, as are reptiles like the desert tortoise and Mojave Green Rattlesnake. The desert tortoise, Gopherusagassizii,spendsmuchofitsup to eighty-year lifespan (ninety-five percent!) underground (Animals-Mojave NationalPreserve).

The Mojave Green Rattlesnake, Crotalusscutulatus,althoughintriguing and beautiful creatures, are not to be trifled with as their venom is potent to both prey and humans. Preferring flatlandswithvegetation,theyareactive throughoutthelatehoursintothenight and capable of surviving in harsh conditionsformonthswithoutfood.

The Mojave National Preserve is also hometothousandsofspeciesofinsects.

In particular, the Kelso Dunes are the home of several endemic species: crickets, wasps, aphids, and many more (Insects).ThismakestheMojaveDesert National Preserve incredibly important in preserving the species that make up desert ecosystems. Bark scorpions, tarantulas,andtarantulahawkwaspsare also notable inhabitants of the MDNP. Ifyou’reluckyenough,youmaybeable to catch scorpions at night, where they canbeseenglowinginthedark.

Although not as appreciated as other national parks, MDNP houses just as many,ifnotmore,crucialspeciesforits particular ecosystem. From aesthetic beauty to underground aquifers, the wildlife provides wonderful ecosystem services. It is important to notice the beautywhereitisnotoftenrecognized, andtheMojaveDesertNationalPreserve isjustthat“DiamondintheDust”you shouldtakeachanceon.

TableofContents

ExploringShenandoahNational Park

By:MorganGarrow

“Weseektopassontoourchildrenaricher land,astrongernation.I,therefore,dedicate Shenandoah National Park to this and succeedinggenerationsofAmericansforthe recreation and for the re-creation which we shallfindhere.”-FDR

Shenandoah National Park, enjoyed by millions of visitors each year, encompasses approximately 200,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains across eight Virginia counties. Though the park was first proposed in 1901, it was officially establishedin1935.Duringthese34yearsof stallment, Virginia state officials acquired anddonatedsignificantparcelsoflandtothe federalgovernment(Staff,2019).

ThecreationofShenandoahalignedwiththe boomingautomobileindustry,allowingvisitors to travel from afar. The boom in personal vehicles also led to the construction of the famous Skyline Drive as a way to explore the parkthatexiststothisday Thestretchof105 miles filled with overlooks, trails, picnic spots, andcampingsiteswas

built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)inthe1930s(Staff,2019).TheCCC wasanimportantfederalreliefprogramfrom the1930stothe1940s,spearheadedbyFDR andtheNewDeal.Morethan6,500young men contributed to the creation of Shenandoah over 9 years. Not only were these employment opportunities helpful in constructingtheparks,buttheyalsoallowed youngmentoearnmoney,learnusefulskills fortheworkforce,andhighschooleducation forsome(CCC,2018).

What sets Shenandoah apart from other NationalParksisthat,withitbeingonthe eastern part of the country, families and towns were established here for centuries. This meant the displacement of many peopletotheoutskirts,formingsmall

TableofContents

PhotoCredits:NationalParkServicephoto

Virginia towns. Today, remnants of these early homesteads, such as cemeteries and historical structures, remain scattered throughoutthepark,offeringaglimpseinto its human history (Shenandoah National ParkTrust,2020).

Perhaps a lesser-known aspect of Shenandoah’s history is that of segregation and civil rights battles. The segregation of the amenities at Shenandoah National Park involved a battle between the federal government and private interests with conflictingstancesontheseparationofraces.

The park's concessionaire, the Virginia SkyLine Company, resisted federal requests to eliminate explicit segregation on campgrounds and lodging. This company eventhreatenedtowithdrawitsoperationsin theparkinsteadofintegratinguponfederal request. Although the park was quietly desegregatedaround1950,thelingering

PhotoCredits:NationalParkServicephoto

culture of exclusion deterred many African Americans from returning to the park for yearsafter(ShenandoahNP,2018).

InaconversationaboutNationalParks,itis crucial to discuss the implications of this settlement on the Native Americans who once lived harmoniously with the land. At the time of colonial settlement around the 1700s, no tribes were residing in the Shenandoahterritory,thoughsomeusedthe valley for hunting grounds, including Shawnee, Iroquois, Occoneechee, Monocans,andPiscataways,thoughnotribe had claims to the land. With increased settlementofthearea,however,throughthe 1700s and 1800s, conflicts and further displacement of Native Americans became moreprevalent(FirstSettlers,2025).

Today, Shenandoah is celebrated for its diverselandscapeofmountains,forests,and wetlands.Itsnaturalbeautyandrichhistory attract tourists year-round, contributing to localeconomiesandtouristattractions.The park remains home to native plants and animals, this ecosystem continues to thrive and stand for the ideals and lessons of the earlyconservationmovement

PhotoCredits:AppalachianMountainClub

TableofContents

National Park

StaffCuts

Annika Noel

In February of 2025, the country’s national parks took a huge hit with 1,000 layoffs from the Trump administration (Chen, 2025). Between temporary, seasonal, and permanent employees, national parks have around 20,000 employees total (USA Today). This huge loss was fought in courts, and it was decided on March 20th that they were authorized to be hired back on. Despite this, many are not coming back. It is not for lack of desire or love for their work, but the situation is too unpredictable for former employees to rely on (NPCA, 2025a).

The Trump administration originally justified this layoff by describing our national parks as a “frivolous expenditure that fails to align with American values” (The White House, 2025). While the federal government funds our national parks, it is not accurate to call them “frivolous,” and I would even say they go far enough to help define American values The parks this past year welcomed over 331,863,000 people (U.S. Department of the Interior, 2025). This is a huge boon to the US economy as people are paying to get into the parks, and tourists come from all over the world. The parks not

only have tourists but also school and educational groups. The first-hand learning kids can get from an in-person national park guide is like nothing else.

The current park workers know they could get more money in another job, but choose to stay out of love despite the low pay. Cassidy Jones, NPCA’s Senior Visitation Program Manager, is a ranger who originally found her passion for nature as a kid growing up in Utah and has since found her passion in working in the national parks (NPCA, 2025b).

One of my best friends from elementary school has had a similar dream: to go to school in Utah because of the amazing natural scenery, study environmental science, and to become a park ranger. She wasn't doing it for the money, she was doing it for the love of the US parks but since the recent administration, she, like so many others, has since found it very difficult to have faith in the future of the parks being there or for her career to even be a possibility.

North America has a history of being protected, cultivated, and changed throughout

time by the indigenous people living here, and now more than ever, it is important to have stewardship of our environment. The firing originally affected law enforcement, rangers, and even firefighters (USA Today). These workers are essential in protecting our lands from all kinds of threats like pollution and forest fires. New mandates from the federal government say that despite parks having severe funding and staff issues, they still must remain open. If parks want to reduce hours or have closures, they need to be approved by the National Park Service's director and the Fish and Wildlife and Parks associate director (Wiley, 2025).

Despite the wave of firings being fought in courts, many park employees cannot withstand the blows the Trump administration is taking to them. Over 10% of national park employees are choosing to take the early outs offered (Repanshek, 2025). The heads of the Cultural and Natural Resources division of the parks services took up the offer, resulting in a huge loss of knowledge and experience (National Parks Traveler). It cannot be overstated how much passion, knowledge, and expertise are being lost due to the current administration. One of the things that makes our parks so special is the staff that takes care of visitors and the land. Walking through the Everglades or the Grand Canyon

wouldn't be as incredible if there were litter everywhere or the risk of getting lost. Park staff educate, protect, and are a knowledgeable resource on American lands. It is important to acknowledge the direction we are going and to do what we can as visitors and citizens to help protect our parks, along with the staff.

NewJerseyParks

With the nearest National Park being over 250 miles away, it can be easy to overlook the Nature within New Jersey (Tung, 2024). However, New Jersey is filled with local wonders, and the importance of state parks when it comes to protecting local wildlife and increasing environmental awareness can not be overstated. Put together, NJ has over 452,000 acres of protected land, which is more than three times the size of the Redwood National Park (Nudd, 2024). This land is managed by the State Park Service, ensuring that both humans and wildlife can utilize the area for generations to come (NJ State Parks, 2025).

Due to the large range of ecosystems in New Jersey, the state is home to a vast array of plants and animals that play vital roles in maintaining the diversity and longevity of natural resources. The numbers are staggering, with there being over 2,100 native plant species and 450 vertebrate species (Pinelands Preserve Alliance, 2020).

There are five key climate zones in NJ that each have unique geographical characteristics: the mountainous North, city-filled Central, the warmest region in the Southwest, the Pine Barrens filled with porous soil, and, of course, the Coastal Zone along the Atlantic Ocean (Rutgers NJ Climate Overview, 2003). New Jersey has over 50 State Parks, allowing individuals to explore educate and enjo

A great place to start is with Cheesequake State Park. Lying in a transitional zone between two different ecosystems, “Cheesequake is the only park where the northern hardwood forest meets a southern pine barrens ecosystem at sea level offering birders and hikers a remarkable diversity of native flora and fauna in a healthy, natural environment” (NJDEP Cheesequake State Park, 2025).

Less than a 30-minute drive from campus, you can visit this any day of the week between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. Like all State Parks, it costs $5 per vehicle to enter and is free to enter from Labor Day through Memorial Day Within this park is Hooks Creek Lake, where people crab, fish, boat, canoe, kayak, and paddleboard. Moving onto land, hikers can explore any of the five trails, which range in length and difficulty. The Interpretive Center offers a chance

to relax and learn about the wildlife and history of the park. If one day isn’t enough and you would like a nature getaway, you can reserve a campsite anytime from April 1st through October (NJDEP Cheesequake State Park, 2025).

It would be impossible to capture the diversity of New Jersey's terrain within one park. By sprinkling in trips to visit different regions, one can enhance their understanding of local ecosystems and connect with nature on a more regular basis. Beyond the state parks, there are county and township parks filled with hidden treasures. Buccleuch, Boyd, and Joyce Kilmer are just some of the parks found right here in New Brunswick (Middlesex County Find A Park, 2025). You do not need to fly or map out an entire vacation, rather, you can simply step outside and take a moment to notice your surroundings.

Fun ROCKY MOUNTAIN

Are you searching for a thrilling escape out west? Look no further than Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado! This park truly has it all – from towering mountain peaks to meadows to glistening alpine lakes. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this 265,807-acre park (National Park Service, 2017).

There are so many activities to enjoy at this vast National Park, depending on the time of year you visit. The winter season is quite long – from October all the way to early June – with the first expected major snowfall to occur sometime in midOctober. Since this park is full of mountains (as the name suggests), the winter conditions vary along with the elevation While some mountains are only 7,800 feet above sea level, the tallest ranges can be up to 14,000 feet! Most areas during the winter are expected to have snow-pack trails, however trails below 8,000 may only have a little snow, or be icy, wet, dry, or even muddy (National Park Service, 2017).

Think all is well when spring rolls around? Actually, March, April, and May are typically the snowiest months in this park. The long winter season allows visitors to truly take in what makes Colorado so unique. There are countless things to do, from sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and wildlife viewing. Some of the cool animals you can see on your visit include snowshoe hares, coyotes, elk, and mule deer.

Or maybe you’re not a big fan of the cold? No worries, Rocky Mountain still has something for you! Summer season is from late May to mid-October and reveals luscious greenery throughout its many open meadows and beautiful forests. You can explore the ravishing Kawuneeche Valley by hiking along the Colorado River. There’s plenty of hiking, fishing, and scenic drives to be had during this time of year.

This park offers such a special and fun outlet to connect with nature and get to

know the beauty American soil has to offer. Unfortunately, the recent administration has made serious cuts to the people who work so hard to keep this park beautiful and safe for all to enjoy. National Reports suggest that Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the hardest hit locations in the U.S. National Park Service. Other parks across the country, such as Florida’s Everglades and New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns, are also losing valuable workers (Alvarez & Fitzpatrick, 2025).

It is beyond important that we support our National Park Service workers so that they can keep these amazing parks pristine and enjoyable for all. National parks and forests throughout the country help to enhance and maintain biodiversity in great swaths of land. They also help to protect ecosystem services, which are

nature's direct and indirect benefits to human well-being (Seebach & Busse, 2021). For example, due to the large amount of trees and other greenery, national parks are great for decreasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. National parks also provide people with more access to the land and help to boost sustainable recreation economies. People can help support their local park just by participating in the amazing outdoor activities they provide.

Rocky Mountain National Park is just one of many amazing National Parks throughout the United States that are deserving of our protection. One of the best ways for you to support this park is by taking a visit! Plan your next vacation at this truly wondrous park, and you will be rewarded with beautiful scenery, fantastic wildlife, and an incredible time.

By:EvanDeAngelis

AhiddengemofMonmouthCounty,New Jersey’s Allaire State Park is a site for outdoor, historical, and public events that locals and visitors alike can enjoy. It is probably best known for its preserved historic iron smelting andprocessingtown,AllaireVillage.TheAllaire village was previously known as the Howell Works, an early industrial ironworks operating under that name in the early 1800s At that time, it was a thriving industrial community thatproducedlargequantitiesof‘pigiron’and castiron(NJDEP,nd)

The buildings, which remain standing in excellentconditiontothisday,includeageneral store, a blacksmith’s shop, a carpenter’s shop, the former manager ’ s house, the foreman’s quarters, a series of workers’ simple blockhouses,andachurch.Oneoftheworkers' rowhousebuildingsnowservesanewpurpose, as the Allaire State Park’s Visitor Center and Museum(NJDEP,n.d.).

These buildings host exhibits on the Allaire historic bog iron industry, the Howell Works, anditsowner,JamesP.Allaire.

Thesevariousexamplesprovideanintroduction to Allaire Village historic park and the wider area. The park’s visitor center is open throughouttheyearonaseasonalbasisandfora myriadofspecialevents.Alsocontainedwithin the historic parks and other elements of the propertyisthePineCreekRailroad,anarrowgaugetrainridethatwasopenedin1953asan exampleofAmericanSteam’sGoldenAge.Itis now operated by the NJ Museum of Transportation Themostnotableattractionin the park is a network of trails winding throughouttheproperty(NJDEP,n.d.).

These trails cover a large portion of the vast area, providing opportunities for hikers, mountainbikers,andhorsebackriderstoenjoy the unique landscape. Several moderate hiking trails are accessible for regular day-to-day use throughouttheareaoftheparkandarecloseto themainparkingarea.Thesouthernsideofthe park is approximately 800 acres of varying terrainandcontainsmilesofunmarkedtrailsin additiontofourprimarymarkedmulti-usetrails (NJDEP,n.d.).

Toitsgreatcredit,largeareasofAllaireState Parkhavebeenleftlargelyintheirnaturalstate. ThefloodplainoftheManasquanRiverbisects the park and provides an excellent habitat for various plant species not usually found in the New Jersey Shore area. Over 200 species of wildflowers,trees,shrubs,andotherplantshave been identified within the park, making it incredibly biodiverse. Despite its protected spaces, it still allows ample recreation opportunities (NJDEP,n.d.).

Deer hunting and trout fishing are both allowedonselectpartsofthepark Thereare45 tentandtrailersitesonsite,completewithfire ringsandpicnictables.Flushtoiletsandshower facilities are also conveniently within walking distance.Thereisamobilesanitarystationopen from April 15 through to October 15. Campsites, in general, are open from April 1 untilDecember15eachyear(NJDEP,n.d.).

Allinall,theparkistrulyaperfectbalanceof anythingatravelercouldwant,withaselection ofhistoric,natural,andrecreationalattractions setwithinauniqueandbeautifulenvironment. Therichhistoryoftheareaandtheinteractive living history experiences it offers stand out in the area, creating fun and engaging opportunities for visitors and locals to enjoy access to this important piece of New Jersey’s parkland.Itisahiddengemandawellintime, often overlooked, but could stand to benefit surroundingcommunities,aswellasthestateof NewJerseyatlarge.

TableofContents

STUDENTSPOTLIGHT: KatieLynch,BridgingScience andSovereignty

ByEmilyYang

PhotoProvidedbyKatieLynch

Meet Katie Lynch, a trailblazing PhD student in Health Infrastructures & Learning Systems at the University of Michigan Medical School and a recent graduate of Rutgers University–New Brunswick, wheresheearnedherB.S.inBiomedicalEngineeringin2024.Katie,whoisCitizenBandPotawatomiand Irish,bringsapowerfulvoicetotheintersectionofscience,advocacy,andcultural identity.

“Myculturemeanseverythingtome,”Katiesaidinaninterview.“Itnotonlygroundsmeandreminds mewhereIcomefrom,butitalsoframesmyresearchandadvocacywork.”Raisedfarfromherancestral homelandsincoastalNewJersey,Katiehasspentmuchofherlifereconnectingwithherrootsthrough language,storytelling,andcommunitybuilding.Now,asagraduatestudentstudyingonherancestral landsinMichigan,herworkisdeeplyrootedinbothscienceandIndigenousknowledgesystems.

AsaPotawatomiwoman,Katie’sunderstandingofscienceis inseparablefromherculturalteachings “Relationality constitutesIndigenousworlds,andourscienceisbasedinlove, thehighestformofrigor,”sheexplained.“Ourhealthas humansisinextricablylinkedtothehealthoftheland.”These beliefshaveshapedKatie’sapproachtoresearch,whereshe prioritizesstrengths-basedmethodologiesthatcelebratethe resilience,joy,andculturalenduranceofNativecommunities ratherthanframingthemsolelyintermsofdeficitsorhealth disparities.

Katie’sjourneyinSTEMhasnotbeenwithoutitschallenges.“I rememberthefirsttimeIheardmyengineeringprofessorsay, ‘HappyColumbusDay’ashebeganclassinthemorning,”she recalled.“AndIrememberthestaresIgotthefirsttimeIwore my traditional beaded jewelry to class.” These experiences of isolation and misunderstanding were all too common throughoutherundergraduateyearsatRutgers.

Despitethesechallenges,Katiechoseresistancethrough action.SheworkedtirelesslytoestablishIndigenousvisibility oncampus “In2023,IconvincedtheSchoolofEngineeringto publishalandacknowledgmentontheirwebsiteandbecame thefirstNativestudentinRutgershistorytoberecognizedby theUdallFoundation,”sheshared.Shealsoco-foundedRU Indigenous,astudentorganizationdedicatedtouplifting Nativevoicesandcreatingasafeandsupportivespacefor IndigenousstudentsatRutgers.“Thatsmallbutmighty communityhasgroundedmethroughoutmyeducation I wantedtobuildtherightecosystemforotherstobeableto growroots”

Katie’sadvocacyisnotjustinstitutional,it’sdeeplypersonal.At Michigan,shefindsrenewedmeaninginherculturalconnection throughcommunityevents,virtualtribalprograms,andtime spentwalkingthelandofherancestors.“Iwalkthroughcampus everydayknowingthatthislandsustainedmyancestorsand shapedtheirwaysofknowingandfoodsystems,”shesaid.Aspart oftheNativeAmericanStudentAssociation,shehasfoundjoy andbelongingthrougheventsliketheannualDanceforMother EarthPowwowandcommunityfrybreadgatherings.

ShealsoremainsconnectedtoherPotawatomirootsthrough digitalnetworks,languagelearning,andbeadingcircles Last year,shetraveledtoOklahomafortheCitizenPotawatomi FamilyGathering,whereshevisitedlandsonceownedbyher family.“Iknowthatnoonecouldpossiblylovethatlandasmuch aswedo,”shesaid.

Katieisvocalabouttheneedforinstitutionstodomorethanoffer symbolicgestures.“Landacknowledgmentsmeannothingifthe universityrefusestoacknowledgetheongoingeconomicand institutionalbenefitsitreceivesfromstolenland,”shestated, callinguponRutgersandotherland-grantinstitutionstotake tangiblestepstowardreparativejustice “ToRutgers:Putyour moneywhereyourmouthis.FundNativestudents.Stop punishingthosewhospeakout.SupportDEIAbeyondempty words.”

Katie’sstoryisatestamenttothetransformativepowerof representationandcommunity Herjourneyunderscorestheurgent needtoupliftdiversevoicesinSTEMfields,whereIndigenous knowledge,culturalperspective,andlivedexperienceenrich research,challengecolonialframeworks,andofferholistic,landbasedunderstandingsofhealthandscience.

Herexperiencealsohighlightsabroaderimperative:colleges anduniversitiesmustdomoretocreateinclusiveenvironments whereallstudentsfeelseen,supported,andempowered Diversityisn’tjustaboutnumbers,it’saboutbelonging.It's aboutmakingspaceforIndigenousstudentstothrive,notjust survive

AsKatiesopowerfullyremindsus,“Theseinstitutionswere neverbuiltforus…Butwewillalwayshaveeachother.Wekeep ourselvessafe Wekeepourselvesstrong Nooneisgoingtosave usbutus.”

SupportingstudentslikeKatieisnotonlyaboutequity,it’sabout buildingafuturewhereinnovationisinformedbyempathy, culture,andtheinterconnectednessofallourrelations

Ifyouwanttoreadthefullinterview,clickthelinkhere! FULLINTERVIEWHERE

PhotoProvidedbyKatieLynch

Home to two of the most active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, Hawai’i National Park is a can't miss park when on the island of Hawaii. Established in 1916, this park has been a ‘hot spot’ for activity, and not just for the volcanoes that reside here. The unpredictable terrain in this park starts at sea level and climbs to just about 13,000 feet while entering and exiting six of Earth's climate zones. This park is a marvel of nature with the differing environments and landscapes that you can find close together. Not only are there volcanoes here, but many other natural wonders such as lava fields, lava tubes and craters, coastlines of lava rock and ocean, Hawaiian cultural landmarks, and so many more unique features (Go Hawaii, n.d.). Because of the rich cultural heritage and one-of-a-kind location, this national park offers much more than many other parks in alternative parts of the USA. Due to the beauty and wonder of this natural landmark, over one million people visit this park each year, the highest number recorded in the last decade being just over two million in 2017 (Camper Champ, n.d.).

The sheer size allows there to be a vast amount of must-see attractions when visiting. How are you supposed to know where to go? The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round. No matter when you find yourself here, there is always time to explore. The Kilauea visitor center is open from 9:00 am-5:00 pm every day. Here, there are rangers who take guests on guided tours, and they offer a lot of information, such as hiking trails, the most recent eruptions, and maps of the park (National Park Service). One highlight that this park has to offer is the Thurston Lava Tube. Getting here is easy; it's only a 20-minute walk from the parking lot, and what you see is more than worth the commute (Love Big Island, 2025). At night, the cave is left open for the daring people who want to experience this marvel in the dark. Because of the copious amounts of adventure and beauty located at the heart of Hawaii in this park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a non-negotiable destination when visiting the Hawaiian islands.

TheGreat SmokyMountains

ByLindseyWiessner

Though it was many years ago, I still have a clear memory of visiting the Great Smoky Mountains as a child. With its beautiful landscapes and diverse set of flora and fauna, it is not difficult to understand why this National Park receives over 10 million visitors every year (SmokeyMountains.com, 2023). The park sits right between North Carolina and Tennessee, and its mountains reach heights of almost seven thousand feet (SmokeyMountains.com, 2023). This mountain range gets its name from its prominent mist, resulting in a smokey haze that covers the mountaintops(SmokeyMountains.co m 2023). That haze, more so than its

many incredible trails and services, has always been what I found to be most compelling about the Great Smoky Mountains.

For those who want to visit, the Great Smoky Mountains offers trail options for anyone, from an experienced backpacker to a casual hiker. The park includes several overnight hiking trails with a variety of difficulty (Diaz, 2023). The Shining Rock Mountain hike mainly runs through meadows and has a distance of about 10 milesmeaning that some strong hikers can choose to make it a day hike (Diaz, 2023). For someone interested in a more challenging hike, the route from the Alum Cave Trail up Mount LeConte could be a good option (Diaz, 2023). At a similar distance of 11 miles, the trail has about 3000 feet in elevation gain (Diaz, 2023). A short detour to Myrtle Point (adding about 0.8 miles to the trip) can provide a great spot to see the sunrise, sunset, or even just a scenic

daytime view (Diaz, 2023).

If you are looking for a longer adventure, the route from Davenport Gap to Max Patch Road could be for you! This trail, which runs along the larger Appalachian Trail, spans about 18.7 miles and has about 3000 feet of elevation gain (Diaz, 2023). With sites ranging from log cabins to picturesque valleys, this trail is a great option for someone who has a few days to spend in this beautiful park (Diaz, 2023). This is only one of the many overnight hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, and someone looking for a fun camping or backpacking experience should definitely consider a visit to this park.

the incredible 80-foot high Laurel Falls on a shorter 2.6-mile hike (Diaz, 2023b). The Laurel Falls was one of my most memorable experiences on my visit to the Great Smoky Mountains. You can also consider coming to these locations in the winter to see the falls when they are icy (Diaz, 2023b).

If long hikes aren’t your thing, the park has a ton of shorter day hikes, like the one-mile trip up and down the Look Rock Tower (SmokeyMountains.com, 2023). This hike is also noted as being child-friendly and only moderately difficult, making it perfect for families (SmokeyMountains.com, 2023). The park also has many hikes that pass through waterfalls and other impressive sites. You can see sights like the Mouse Creek Falls on a relatively short 4.2-mile hike or

On a trip to this park, you can also consider visiting some local attractions outside of the park, like Dollywood or the Gatlinburg downtown area (SmokeyMountains.com 2023). There is no shortage of experiences right around the corner in the Great Smoky Mountains, from trails to scenic views to nearby attractions, which ensures that visitors are guaranteed to find something that they enjoy. If you’re interested in getting out into nature and having some fun, the Great Smoky Mountains might be the perfect place to visit.

NationalParks:TheMojaveDesertNationalPreserve

“AboutUs|FortMojaveIndianTribe.(n.d.).RetrievedApril15,2025,fromhttp://mojaveindiantribe.com/about/ Animals MojaveNationalPreserve(U.S.NationalParkService).RetrievedApril1,2025,from https://www.nps.gov/moja/learn/nature/animals.htm

Insects,spiders,centipedes,millipedes MojaveNationalPreserve(U.S.NationalParkService).RetrievedApril15,2025, fromhttps://www.nps.gov/moja/learn/nature/insects.htm

MojaveNationalPreserve.(n.d.).NationalParkFoundation;NationalParkFoundation. https://www.nationalparks.org/explore/parks/mojave-nationalpreserve#:~:text=It%20features%20canyons%20and%20mountains,1.6%2Dmillion%2Dacre%20park.

JoshuaTrees JoshuaTreeNationalPark(U.S.NationalParkService).RetrievedApril1,2025,from https://www.nps.gov/jotr/learn/nature/jtrees.htm

WesternJoshuaTreeConservationAct.(n.d.).RetrievedApril1,2025,from https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Environmental-Review/WJT/WJTCA

ExploringShenandoahNationalPark

“CivilianConservationCorps(CCC)-ShenandoahNationalPark(U.S.NationalParkService).”2018.Nps.gov.2018. https://www.nps.gov/shen/learn/historyculture/ccc.htm.

“FirstSettlersoftheShenandoahValley.”2025.Firstsettlersshenandoahvalley.com.2025. http://firstsettlersshenandoahvalley.com/history.html#:~:text=By%20the%20early%201700's%2C%20when,laid%20claim %20to%20the%20land.

“SegregationandDesegregationatShenandoahNationalPark(U.S.NationalParkService).”2018.Nps.gov.2018. https://www.nps.gov/articles/segregation-and-desegregation-at-shenandoah.htm.

“ShenandoahNationalParkHistory-ShenandoahNationalParkTrust.”2020.ShenandoahNationalParkTrust-Official PhilanthropicPartneroftheNationalParkService.November21,2020.https://www.snptrust.org/about-us/missionhistory/shenandoah-

history/#:~:text=Shenandoah%20National%20Park%20is%20also,made%20these%20mountains%20their%20homes.. Staff,NationalGeographic.2019.“EverythingtoKnowaboutShenandoahNationalPark.”Travel.September3,2019. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/article/shenandoah-national-park.

Photos " atetheirmealsoffofavarietyofimportedanddomesticceramics"(nd)NationalParksService

Segregatedarealabeledinthepark(nd)NationalParksService

ShenandoahNationalParkhasstunningviewsandnearendlessopportunitiesforoutdoorrecreation.(nd) Appalachian MountainClub

TableofContents

The TRAIL

WorksCited

NationalParkStaffCuts

Chen,E (2025,February26) TheNationalParkServiceisgrapplingwithmassivelayoffs Whatyoushouldknow USA Today http://wwwusatodaycom/story/travel/experience/national-parks/2025/02/25/national-park-service-layoffswhat-to-know/80234977007/

NationalParksConservationAssociation(NPCA) (2025a,March20) ParksGroupwelcomesreinstatementof ProbationaryParkstaffbutwarnsofongoingNationalParkStaffingCrisis NationalParksConservationAssociation http://wwwnpcaorg/articles/7538-parks-group-welcomes-reinstatement-of-probationary-park-staff-but-warnsof#: :text=And%20things%20will%20get%20worse,of%20Americans%20visit%20every%20year

NationalParksConservationAssociation(NPCA) (2025b,March20) TheirreplaceablevalueofNationalParkService Staff NationalParksConservationAssociation http://wwwnpcaorg/articles/6581-the-irreplaceable-value-of-nationalpark-service-staff

Repanshek,K (2025,April11) Update:Morethan10percentofNationalParkServiceWorkforcehasleft UPDATE| MoreThan10PercentOfNationalParkServiceWorkforceHasLeft http://wwwnationalparkstravelerorg/2025/04/more-10-percent-national-park-service-workforce-has-left US DepartmentoftheInterior (2025) Statsreportviewer NationalParksService https://irmanpsgov/Stats/SSRSReports/NationalReports/AnnualSummaryReport(1904-LastCalendarYear) TheUnitedStatesGovernment (2025,February20) Factsheet:PresidentDonaldJ Trumpreducesthefederal bureaucracy TheWhiteHouse http://wwwwhitehousegov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trumpreduces-the-federal-bureaucracy/ Wiley,H (2025,April6) TrumpadministrationordersnationalParkstoremainopenamidstaffingshortages Los AngelesTimes http://wwwlatimescom/california/story/2025-04-06/trump-administration-orders-national-parks-toremain-open

Anestimated12.5percentoftheNationalParkServiceworkforcehasleftunderTrumpadministrationearly-outoffers (2025).RebeccaLatson.NationalParksTraveler.

OfficialsiteoftheStateofNewJersey.NJDEP|NewJerseyStateParkService.(2025,March25). https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/ PinelandsPreservationAlliance.(2020,April2).NewJerseyEndangeredandThreatenedPlantProtectionAct-protecting thenewjerseypinelandsandPineBarrens:Pinelandspreservationalliance.ProtectingtheNewJerseyPinelandsandPine Barrens|PinelandsPreservationAlliance-ProtectingtheNewJerseyPinelandsandPineBarrens. https://pinelandsalliance.org/new-jersey-endangered-and-threatened-plant-protection-act/ RutgersUniversity.(2003).TheClimateofNewJersey.NewJerseyClimateOverview. https://climate.rutgers.edu/stateclim v1/njclimoverview.html

Tung,T.(2024,June27).USNationalParksMap.NationalParks.https://www.national-park.com/us-national-parksmap/ ImageCitation:RutgersUniversity.(2003).TheClimateofNewJersey.NewJerseyClimateOverview. https://climate.rutgers.edu/stateclim v1/njclimoverview.html

RockyMountainFun

Alvarez,A.,&Fitzpatrick,A.(2025,March5).RockyMountainNationalParkamonghardesthitbyfirings.Axios;Axios Denver.https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/03/05/rocky-mountain-national-park-colorado-layoffs-trump NationalParkService.(2017).RockyMountainNationalPark(U.S.NationalParkService).Nps.gov;NationalPark Service.https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm

Seebach,J.,&Busse,B.(2021,May7).4ReasonstoValueUSNationalForests[Reviewof4ReasonstoValueUS NationalForests].PewResearch.https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2021/05/07/4-reasons-tovalue-us-national-forests

Photo: Averill,G.(2020).TheUltimateRockyMountainNationalParkTravelGuide[ReviewofTheUltimateRockyMountain NationalParkTravelGuide].https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/national-parks/rocky-mountain-nationalpark-travel-guide/

AllaireStatePark,aWellintheGardenofTime

OfficialsiteoftheStateofNewJersey.NJDEP|AllaireStatePark|NewJerseyStateParkService.(n.d.). https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/allairestatepark.html

TableofContents

Hawai’iVolcanoesNationalPark

LoveBigIsland.(2025,February6).GuidefortheHawaiʻiVolcanoesNationalPark:Topattractionsandthingstodo. https://www.lovebigisland.com/hawaii-volcanoes-national-park/ GoHawaii.(n.d.).HawaiʻiVolcanoesNationalPark.https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/hawaii-bigisland/regions/kau/volcanoes-national-park U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior.(n.d.-a).Volcanoes.NationalParkService. https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/volcanoes.htm CamperChamp.(n.d.).VolcanoesNationalParkstatistics.https://camperchamp.com/usa/nationalparks/statistics/volcanoes/

TheGreatSmokyMountains

Diaz,J.(2023,July21).Best6overnighthikesintheSmokyMountains.smokymountains.com. https://smokymountains.com/park/blog/6-overnight-hikes-smoky-mountains Diaz,J.(2023b,August7).Top9waterfallstovisitintheSmokyMountains…andthensome. smokymountains.com.https://smokymountains.com/park/blog/top-9-waterfalls-smoky-mountains. SmokyMountains.com.(2023).AboutNationalPark.smokymountains.com. https://smokymountains.com/park

TableofContents