New study shows spring is happening earlier in three out of every four National Parks

Graphic from manuscript on changes in spring onset in National Parks
Thu, Oct 06, 2016

The USA-NPN is part of a new study published in Ecosphere that shows spring is advancing in 75% of 276 National Parks studied. This shift is "extreme" in half of the Parks. The study used the Spring Indices, an index of spring developed by the USA-NPN and its partners to compare the recent timing of spring onset (past 10-30 years) to a historical range of variability (1901-2012). Learn more about what this study means for National Parks. 

Secretary Jewell announced the study on October 6th, 2016 at Shenandoah National Park.

An Arizona-focused article appeared in UANews on October 6, 2016, discussing what the study might mean for Arizona Parks. 

Visit the National Park Service landing page for more information, and read the Resource Brief put out by the National Park Service. Park-specific briefs will be forthcoming. 

The study is also highlighted in these popular media outlets:

National Geographic
Science Daily
Arizona Public Media