Glacier National Park
Who's Who
The following organizations are dedicated to preserving the parks and helping visitors to enjoy them.
National Park Service (NPS)
Since its founding in 1916, the NPS has been responsible for preserving and protecting the natural and cultural resources of our national parks, protecting the wildlife therein, and providing for public use and enjoyment of the parks. Today, it manages more than 50 national parks and more than 300 natural and cultural sites (388 sites total) in the United States. Please contact the Park Superintendent, Glacier National Park, West Glacier, MT 59936; (406) 888-7800; or visit www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm for more information.
Parks Canada
Canada's first national park was established in 1885 because of an argument over rights to mineral hot springs discovered near Banff, Alberta. After the springs were made government property "for the sanitary advantage of the public," the Canadian government began an active program to acquire and protect much of the country's natural heritage. Today, Parks Canada manages more than 39 parks and reserves. Please contact the Park Superintendent, Waterton Lakes National Park, Waterton Park, Alberta, Canada T0K 2M0; (403) 859-2224 for more information.
Glacier Park, Inc. (GPI)
GPI owns and operates the historic Glacier Park Lodge and Prince of Wales Hotel. The company is also the concessioner authorized by the National Park Service to operate the historic Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Village Inn and the Two Medicine Campstore. Contact GPI at P.O. Box 2025, Columbia Falls, MT 59912; (406) 892-2525 or visit online at www.glacierparkinc.com.
The Glacier National Park Fund
Originally created in 1999 as a fund of the National Park Foundation, the Glacier National Park Fund is now a stand alone nonprofit foundation working with the Park on environmental education, wildlife research and management and natural and cultural preservation. The Glacier National Park Fund has donated over $1.4 million to various projects in Glacier National Park. The Glacier National Park License plate is available to Montana state residents and $20 of each $35 plate goes directly to Glacier National Park Fund. (The plates cost $20 to renew, all of which goes to GNPF.) Please see page 44 for details. Contact the Glacier National Park Fund, PO Box 5600, Whitefish MT 59937; (406) 862-6110 or visit online at www.glaciernationalparkfund.org for more information.
The Glacier Institute
This private, nonprofit, outdoor/ environmental education organization allows students of all ages to learn about the cultural and natural resources of the Glacier National Park region. The Institute offers a hands-on experiential learning approach through youth camps, day programs, adult and family field seminars, and special workshops in Glacier Na-tional Park and the Flathead National Forest. Field courses are offered year-round in the sciences, culture, history and the arts. For more information, please contact the Glacier Institute, P.O. Box 1887, Kalispell, MT 59903; (406) 755-1211 or 888-5215; or visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org.
Glacier Natural History Association
This nonprofit, cooperating association of the National Park Service operates bookstores located in Glacier National Park visitor centers and ranger stations. Proceeds from bookstore sales are used to benefit Glacier's educational and interpretive activities, cultural preservation and special proj-ects related to visitor services. Central offices and a bookstore are located in the historic Belton train depot in West Glacier and are open year-round. For more information, please contact Glacier Natural History Association, P.O. Box 310, West Glacier, MT 59936; (406) 888-5756; or visit online at www. glacierassociation.org.
Waterton Natural History Association
This organization cooperates with Parks Canada to further public understanding, appreciation and appropriate use of Waterton Lakes National Park. It provides numerous books, maps and other publications about the park. The association operates the Heritage Centre in Waterton Park. For more information, please contact the association at Box 145, Waterton Park, Alberta, Canada T0K 2M0; (403) 859-2624; or visit online at www.lis.ab.ca/wnha/.
Glacier National Park Associates
This nonprofit volunteer organization works closely with park staff to sponsor park programs and activities, raise funds for projects and perform voluntary services, such as trail work. Please contact the organization at P.O. Box 91, Kalispell, MT 59903; (406) 752-7757; or visit www.nps.gov/glac/partners/ gnpa.htm for more information.
Glacier In Depth
News from the Parks
Light Pollution Harms Not Just Stargazers
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
December 2, 2008 - 1:03pm
For students of astronomy, Sunday and Monday night is the equivalent of a World Cup Final, a new Mac operating system, and a Zeppelin reunion show all rolled into one. That’s because, as Horizons guest blogger Pete Spotts noted in his post Sunday, Jupiter, Venus, and the moon will gather to direct a lopsided frown at North America, an arrangement that won’t happen again for another 44 years.
Tourists Bite on ‘Twilight’ Vampire Tours of Forks, Washington
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
December 2, 2008 - 12:59pm
Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food.
Crowds Observe World AIDS Day In GG Park
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
December 2, 2008 - 12:56pm
People from across the country gathered in Golden Gate Park's National AIDS Memorial Grove Monday to observe the 20th annual World AIDS Day.
Grounded in God, Green and Glaciers
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
December 2, 2008 - 12:37pm
Remember when Arizona Sen. John McCain criticized spending millions of taxpayer dollars to fund the DNA of grizzly bears in Montana during one of the presidential debates? “That’s us,” said David Restivo, a Roberts Wesleyan College alumnus and visual information specialist at Glacier National Park in Montana.
Smokies' Formation Began 500 Million to 600 Million Years Ago
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
December 2, 2008 - 12:35pm
As the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prepares to celebrate its 75th year, students of history and geology are pondering questions that go back much farther than the park's creation in the 1930s. The most fascinating queries to them concern the actual formation of the mountains, their age and topography.
