Ruppert Landscape Appoints Kang President & COO
Jessica Schwartz
Free Lifetime Parks Pass For Veterans & Gold Star Families Announced
Last week, the Biden-Harris administration announced that veterans of the U.S. Armed Services and Gold Star Families can now obtain a free lifetime pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. Each lifetime pass covers entrance fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle (or passholder and up to three adults at sites that charge per person) at national parks and national wildlife refuges, as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Veterans can present one of the four forms of acceptable ID (Department of Defense ID Card, Veteran Health ID (VHIC), Veteran ID Card, or veteran’s designation on a state-issued US driver’s license or ID card) at participating federal recreation areas that normally charge an entrance fee. Gold Star Families obtain information, self-certify they qualify and download a voucher by visiting the U.S. Geological Survey’s website. “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and our federal teammates are proud to honor our veterans with free lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas across the nation,” said Lieutenant General (LTG) Scott Spellmon, Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “This is a small token of appreciation for veterans who have bravely dedicated their lives to defending our freedom.” The Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act authorized free lifetime access to ...
National Park Service Requires Masks At Parks, Federal Buildings
To protect the health of those who live, work and visit U.S. national parks and facilities, and in support of President Biden’s Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, the National Park Service (NPS) has implemented a mask requirement for employees, visitors, partners and contractors. “Wearing a mask around others, physical distancing and washing your hands are the simplest and most effective public health measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” said NPS Office of Public Health Director Captain Sara Newman. “Getting outside and enjoying our public lands is essential to improving mental and physical health, but we all need to work together to recreate responsibly.” Face masks are now required in all NPS buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, overlooks and historic homes. Additional public health measures are in place across the service, from capacity limits to one-way trails, or even temporary closures in response to local conditions. “Working with public health officials and following the latest science and guidance, we can make national parks safer for employees, visitors and partners,” said NPS Deputy Director Shawn Benge. “We will continue to evaluate operations and make appropriate modifications to visitor services as needed.” Visitors should check individual park websites and social media channels for details on operations before they visit. Park rangers are on duty to provide information, protect visitors and park resources, and uphold this requirement. Other tips to recreate ...
National Park Service Requires Masks At Parks, Federal Buildings
To protect the health of those who live, work and visit U.S. national parks and facilities, and in support of President Biden’s Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, the National Park Service (NPS) has implemented a mask requirement for employees, visitors, partners and contractors. “Wearing a mask around others, physical distancing and washing your hands are the simplest and most effective public health measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” said NPS Office of Public Health Director Captain Sara Newman. “Getting outside and enjoying our public lands is essential to improving mental and physical health, but we all need to work together to recreate responsibly.” Face masks are now required in all NPS buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, overlooks and historic homes. Additional public health measures are in place across the service, from capacity limits to one-way trails, or even temporary closures in response to local conditions. “Working with public health officials and following the latest science and guidance, we can make national parks safer for employees, visitors and partners,” said NPS Deputy Director Shawn Benge. “We will continue to evaluate operations and make appropriate modifications to visitor services as needed.” Visitors should check individual park websites and social media channels for details on operations before they visit. Park rangers are on duty to provide information, protect visitors and park resources, and uphold this requirement. Other tips to recreate ...
Department Of The Interior Announces New Staff
With President Joe Biden’s inauguration, the Department of the Interior today announced key members of agency leadership who will address the four intersecting challenges of our time: COVID-19, economic recovery, racial equity, and climate change. “With today’s announcement, President Biden is delivering on his commitment to build teams that exude talent and experience, and look like America,” said Jennifer Van der Heide, incoming Chief of Staff. “ Additional members of the Biden-Harris appointee team will be named in the days and weeks to come. The incoming Interior leadership team possesses a broad range of expertise and perspectives — representing decades of experience in federal, state, and tribal governments; academia; and non-profit and advocacy organizations. As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to the highest ethical standards, all appointees received an initial ethics training today following their swearing-in. The leadership team is listed here in alphabetical order along with their new role: Robert Anderson, Principal Deputy Solicitor Travis Annatoyn, Deputy Solicitor for Energy and Mineral Resources Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes, Deputy Solicitor for Indian Affairs Tyler Cherry, Press Secretary Laura Daniel Davis, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Land and Minerals Management Shannon Estenoz, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Fish and Wildlife and Parks Morgan Gray, Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs – Senate Ruchi Jain, Deputy Solicitor for General Law Kate Kelly, Deputy Chief of Staff – Policy Marissa Knodel, Advisor, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Shantha Ready-Alonso, Director for Intergovernmental and External Affairs Paniz Rezaeerod, Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs – ...
Department Of The Interior Announces New Staff
With President Joe Biden’s inauguration, the Department of the Interior today announced key members of agency leadership who will address the four intersecting challenges of our time: COVID-19, economic recovery, racial equity, and climate change. “With today’s announcement, President Biden is delivering on his commitment to build teams that exude talent and experience, and look like America,” said Jennifer Van der Heide, incoming Chief of Staff. “ Additional members of the Biden-Harris appointee team will be named in the days and weeks to come. The incoming Interior leadership team possesses a broad range of expertise and perspectives — representing decades of experience in federal, state, and tribal governments; academia; and non-profit and advocacy organizations. As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to the highest ethical standards, all appointees received an initial ethics training today following their swearing-in. The leadership team is listed here in alphabetical order along with their new role: Robert Anderson, Principal Deputy Solicitor Travis Annatoyn, Deputy Solicitor for Energy and Mineral Resources Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes, Deputy Solicitor for Indian Affairs Tyler Cherry, Press Secretary Laura Daniel Davis, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Land and Minerals Management Shannon Estenoz, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Fish and Wildlife and Parks Morgan Gray, Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs – Senate Ruchi Jain, Deputy Solicitor for General Law Kate Kelly, Deputy Chief of Staff – Policy Marissa Knodel, Advisor, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Shantha Ready-Alonso, Director for Intergovernmental and External Affairs Paniz Rezaeerod, Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs – ...
