You may want to visit your favorite national park soon

Climate change is here. And it's changing what many of us will see in our favorite national parks. If you are thinking about visiting some of our national parks, you may want do do it soon.

In the summer of 2012 I wrote about the dramatic changes I observed in the Black Hills near Mount Rushmore National Monument, and the changes in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I visited the area after an 18 year gap between 1994 and 2012. I was stunned by the changes I saw on the second trip.

Black Hills defroested hillside
A deforested hillside in the Black Hills. Image: Paul Huttner/MPR News

The effects of climate change in our favorite national parks have only increased in the past 5 years. Montana's Glacier National Park is among the hardest hit by climate change.

This summer I will venture to the Black Hills and Tetons once again. I'm looking forward to documenting the changes I'll see over a 5 year period.

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Mt. Teewinot in Grand Teton National park. Image: Paul Huttner/MPR News

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