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The U.S. has a lot of public land – about 28% of the nation’s surface area is owned by the federal government – and millions of Americans will use it during the summer months for hiking, camping, fishing and other outdoor activities.
But you may find yourself fighting traffic at popular spots. Some national parks are so crowded that they now require reservations or timed entry passes.
As Boise State University historian Emily Wakild points out, many other U.S. public lands, including national forests, grasslands, monuments and seashores, are also coming under strain from heavy use.
“Finding solutions requires visitors, gateway communities, state agencies and the outdoor industry to collaborate,” Wakild writes.
The goal is to make trails, lakes and other popular destinations on federal land accessible, while also protecting these resources for others to enjoy.
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Visitors at Sliding Rock, a popular cascade in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest.
Cecilio Ricardo, USFS/Flickr
Emily Wakild, Boise State University
Crowding is increasingly affecting all kinds of public lands. Adjoining communities need to find ways to manage it, or risk harm to the attractions that make them a destination.
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Economy + Business
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Patrick Rooney, Indiana University; Anna Pruitt, Indiana University; Jon Bergdoll, Indiana University
Giving receded as many Americans saw their purchasing power decline, straining household budgets.
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Janet Bednarek, University of Dayton
Consumers and politicians are pushing for greater protections for air travelers. A historian explains why the US trails the EU and Canada when it comes to passenger rights.
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Environment + Energy
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Jason Vogel, University of Washington; Brian G. Henning, Gonzaga University
A new report lays out steps communities can take to help their residents survive heat waves as the risk of dangerous temperatures rises.
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Arts + Culture
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Stefano Bloch, University of Arizona
In the last decade, some graffiti writers have moved from outlaw taggers to sought-after artists.
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Science + Technology
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Bruce Schneier, Harvard Kennedy School; Nathan Sanders, Harvard University
Public comment could soon swamp government officials and representatives, thanks to AI, but AI could also help spot compelling stories from constituents.
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Politics + Society
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Peter Rutland, Wesleyan University
Putin was put on the defensive during an increasingly rare Q&A over the war’s progress. Meanwhile, disquiet among potential rivals is growing.
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Ethics + Religion
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Samuel L. Boyd, University of Colorado Boulder
In the beginning of the Bible, the tree of life represents what sets humans apart from divinity – but other texts use the symbol to depict mankind’s relationship with God.
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Jeremy David Engels, Penn State
A scholar of yoga and meditation explains how yoga is part of humanity’s global heritage and what can be learned from its long and complex global history.
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