Research+a+National+Park

= National Park Research =

With a partner find a National Park from the [|www.nps.gov] website and answer the following questions:

1. Give a brief history of the park:

For tens of thousands of years, humans have changed, and have been changed by, this place we now call Yosemite. The Ahwahneechee lived here for generations, followed by the arrival of Europeans in the mid-1800s. The rugged terrain challenged many early travelers, with just a few—only 650 from the mid-1850s to mid-1860s—making the journey to Yosemite Valley by horseback or stagecoach. By 1907, construction of the Yosemite Valley Railroad from Merced to El Portal eased the journey, thereby, increasing visitation. Today, 3.5 million people enter the park’s gates to explore. We learn from the stories of those who walked Yosemite’s trails before us, allowing appreciation of their lasting footprints that led to conscious preservation.

2. What types of animals live in your park?
 * || [[image:http://www.nps.gov/pwr//yose/naturescience/images/YOSE_DYKbear1.jpg width="130" height="65" caption="American black bear"]] ||  || **Did You Know?** Black bears in Yosemite are active both day and night. Most bears that rely on natural food sources are active during the day. However, those that get food from people are often active at night, when they can quietly sneak around and grab unattended food. ||
 * || [[image:http://www.nps.gov/pwr//yose/naturescience/images/YOSE_DYKbear1.jpg width="130" height="65" caption="American black bear"]] ||  || **Did You Know?** Black bears in Yosemite are active both day and night. Most bears that rely on natural food sources are active during the day. However, those that get food from people are often active at night, when they can quietly sneak around and grab unattended food. ||

3. Share interesting facts about your park.
 * Did You Know?** Yosemite Falls is fed mostly by snowmelt. Peak flow usually happens in late May, but by August, Yosemite Falls is often dry. It begins flowing again a few months later, after winter snows arrive.
 * Did You Know?** The Merced River above Nevada Fall and South Fork Merced River above Wawona, numerous small meadows and adjacent riparian habitats occur. Owing their existence to the river and its annual flooding, these habitats help support eight special status animal species: harlequin ducks, black swifts, bald eagles, osprey, willow flycatchers, yellow warbler, western red bat, and Sierra Nevada mountain beaver.