Elk (Cervus elaphus) are key components of lowland and montane ecosystems in both Mount Rainier National Park (MORA) and Olympic NP (OLYM). MORA was created in 1899 to preserve the sights and ecosystems associated with Mount Rainier, including its fish, wildlife, and renowned subalpine meadows. OLYM was created first as Mount Olympus National Monument in 1909 by Theodore Roosevelt for the expressed purpose of protecting the last stronghold of Roosevelt elk (C. e. roosevelti) and its native forested habitat following the largescale national decline in elk populations at the turn of the last...

This annual report presents 2010 results from the monitoring of fish assemblages in the North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) as part of the Inventory and Monitoring Program. The Protocol for Monitoring Fish Assemblages in Pacific Northwest Parks was designed for rivers in the NCCN that have high water visibility and are conducive to snorkel methods from June through September each year (Brenkman and Connolly 2008). Although the protocol was specifically designed for use in Pacific Northwest National Parks, it should be helpful in the development of protocols in other National Park Service...

From February 5 to 7, 2002, fisheries biologists from Olympic National Park (OLYM) conducted a general inventory of fish species in two streams that flow through Fort Clatsop National Memorial (FOCL) (Figure 1). Prior to these surveys, there were no published reports of fish species that inhabit streams that drain through FOCL (personal communication, Scott Stonum, Chief of Resources at FOCL; Joe Sheahan, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Astoria). Water quality surveys were conducted in ponds and streams throughout FOCL from 1994 to 1997 (Larson and Ek 1998). These surveys provided a...

This report presents initial results from monitoring of forest vegetation in the North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) as part of the Inventory and Monitoring Program of the National Park Service (NPS). The program focuses on "vital signs," which are defined as "a relatively small set of information-rich attributes that are used to track the overall condition or "health" of park natural resources and to provide early warning of situations that require intervention" (Fancy et al. 2009). Monitoring is being implemented throughout the National Park System; for this purpose, 270 park units have...

This protocol narrative outlines the rationale, sampling design and methods for monitoring forest vegetation in the North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) as part of the Vital Signs Monitoring Program of the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS defines "vital signs" as "a relatively small set of information-rich attributes that are used to track the overall condition or "health" of park natural resources and to provide early warning of situations that require intervention" (Fancy et al. 2009).

Late-successional, coniferous forest is critical for ecosystem function and biological conservation in the Pacific Northwest. Such forests are well-represented in the North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) of the National Park Service.

Northern Spotted Owl populations have declined over the last century, and the subspecies has been listed by the federal government as "threatened" since 1990. The status of the northern Spotted Owl has not been well documented in the North Cascades of Washington and southwestern British Columbia. In 1993, National Park Service (NPS) resource management staff initiated the first comprehensive inventory of Spotted Owls in suitable habitat within North Cascades National Park Service Complex (NOCA), a four-year survey that identified 11 active Spotted Owl territories in NOCA.

Northern Spotted Owl populations have declined over the last century, and the subspecies has been listed by the federal government as "threatened" since 1990. The status of the northern Spotted Owl has not been well documented in the North Cascades of Washington and southwestern British Columbia. In 1993, National Park Service (NPS) resource management staff initiated the first comprehensive inventory of Spotted Owls in suitable habitat within North Cascades National Park Complex (NOCA), a four-year survey that identified 11 active Spotted Owl territories in NOCA.

Chelan County Public Utilities District, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, United States Forest Service and North Cascades National Park cooperatively manage fish populations within Lake Chelan and its tributaries in accordance with the Lake Chelan Fisheries Plan (Lake Chelan Fishery Plan 2007). The fish management goal under the Lake Chelan Fisheries Plan is to beneficially alter the abundance and composition of fish species in Lake Chelan through continuing efforts to restore and enhance native fisheries.

In 2005, the National Capital Region Inventory and Monitoring Network (NCRN) initiated a long-term water quality and quantity monitoring program, funded in part by the Water Resources Division. The program is carried out through monthly sampling at more than 40 sites within 10 of the NCRN parks. The FY2007 - 2008 Annual Report on water quality in the National Capital Region parks focuses on data collected under the Surface Water Dynamics Protocol (2007) and the Water Chemistry Monitoring Protocol (2007) of the NCRN I&M Program.