Park Rangers

A MEMORABLE PLACEGhostly walk at GettysburgWe meet in a hotel parking lot in downtown Gettysburg and the three of us exchange greetings and begin to change into our uniforms. Two rebels and one Yankee. I pull on the wool trousers of the Union uniform similar to the ones my great-great-grandfather wore in 1863.We walk into a tavern called the Mine Shaft, which is where you traditionally start a ghost walk. Civil War re-enactors take a walk after the sun goes down and sleep on the battlefield on an anniversary such as this one. It is July 3 here in Gettysburg.

At first glance, the O'Malley administration's proposed cuts at the Department of Natural Resources for the remainder of the fiscal year seem rather mild. Eliminate the helicopter and its crew, and remove 23 vacant slots at Natural Resources Police for a total savings of $1.9 million. On first glance, it's a quick fix and fairly bloodless, unless, of course, you're the whirlybird guys. But it's not quite that simple. It never is. And it's up to you to stop it. Simply put, Natural Resources Police is a shell of its former self.

Let's pause for applause here as summer opens with a Bush administration declaration that conserving the condition and quality of national parks is a higher priority than making them available for recreational use. A gambit by the snowmobile, water scooter and ATV crowd that might have allowed them access to such serene protected places as Assateague National Seashore and Greenbelt National Park - environmental and aesthetic damage notwithstanding -...

Fifth-ranked Severna Park overpowered No. 14 Western team, 63-45, last night to gain a berth opposite unbeaten St. John's-Prospect Hall of Frederick in tonight's 8 o'clock title game at Essex Community College.In the 6 p.m. Hoops Division championship game, 16th-ranked Institute of Notre Dame will meet Randallstown.Facing a Western press most of the evening, Severna Park (4-2) got the ball up court more than enough times with almost a different person handling the ball every time to pick up its fourth straight victory.

Ned Colburn of Havre de Grace writes: In 2002, when I turned 62 years old, I was delighted to be eligible for a Golden Age Pass from the Maryland Park Service. Specifically, this pass was obtained at The Susquehanna State Park, which is nearby and allowed me to use the boat launching ramp at no cost. Following renovation of that launch ramp in 2010, I and many others were shocked to find out (often by finding a warning on our windshields) that our Golden Age Passes were no longer useable for this ramp (and the boat launching fee doubled)

Rangers at Susquehanna State Park near Havre de Grace closed the park's buildings last week, the final move in the park shutdown to the public for the next five months, said a spokesman for the Maryland Forest Park and Wildlife Service.Susquehanna is one of 18 state parks that are being completely or partially closed as a result of the state's cost-cutting and a state hiring freeze that began in August, said Steven Sholl, associate director for field operations with the state Forest Park and Wildlife Service, a division of the Department ofNatural Resources.

America's third national park, Yosemite, the home of spectacular waterfalls, silent groves of ancient trees and an unequaled alpine wilderness, celebrated its 120th birthday this month. The place John Muir considered "nature's temple" was arguably where the national park idea was born — a uniquely American concept whose enduring meaning is being proved again in the midst of an economic downturn, as millions of families have flocked to Yosemite and other parks to make memories that will last their lifetimes, to reconnect with nature and our shared history.

The barred owl swiveled its head about, gripped Ranger John Wales' leather-gloved hand securely with its sharp talons and peered intently at his face."

ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NATIONAL MONUMENT, Ariz. - Until recently, this vast park 130 miles west of Tucson and cheek-to-cheek with Mexico was known for its 26 varieties of cactus and stunning high-desert views. But during the past year, Organ Pipe has become a place where someone toting a backpack or driving a camper might be involved in something more than sightseeing. Park officials estimate that illegal users of the back country outnumber legitimate overnight hikers and campers 10 to 1. So far this year, there have been 25 major drug and alien smuggling incidents.

The State Forest and Park Service welcomes those interested in being volunteer park rangers. You must be age 18 or over, willing to work in a park for 40 hours before being considered for the title of volunteer ranger. Responsibilities include answering public inquiries, working at festivals and special events and assisting with other park programs. Training and uniforms will be provided. Call (410) 974-3771.Investing in Our Children, a prenatal outreach program for the Park Heights community, wants volunteers to contact, visit and share health, resource and parenting information to the women in the community.