With gasoline prices climbing, it makes more sense than ever to take advantage of nearby recreation options. Fortunately, there is no shortage of national wilderness areas and parks within a short drive from Jefferson County. And you can stretch your dollar even farther by taking advantage of discounted or free access passes from the National Park Service. Read the Full Story >>
national parks
Smithsonian to Honor Local Filmmaker, John Grabowska, with Retrospective
Scientists propose naming a new epoch in time the Anthropocene—the Age of Man—dating from the time human activities began having global impacts on Earth. A mini-retrospective of films on that theme by local environmental filmmaker John Grabowska screened at the National Park Service Centennial Film Festival at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown on February 25. Read the Full Story >>
Behind the Fire Line, Part II: Flames, Fatigue, and Following Orders
In the second installment of this two-part series, The Observer looks into what it's actually like to fight a major wildfire out West by speaking with two Jefferson County natives who make a living working with the National Park Service. Read the Full Story >>
Behind the Fire Line, Part I
In this two-part series, The Observer looks into what it's actually like to fight a major wildfire out West. We got inside the heads of two Jefferson County natives who make a living working with the National Park Service—but who also have to pick up and leave their lives as soon as they get the call to head out West and battle a monster fire. Read the Full Story >>