Wildlife in Yosemite grows during park closure
California’s Yosemite National Park closed its gates on March 20 in response to COVID-19. In the weeks since, wildlife in the park is booming, the Los Angeles Times reports. During the shutdown, only employees, essential workers, and those who own property inside the park and can show the deeds to their houses are allowed inside the park’s boundaries.
“The bear population has quadrupled,” a park employee told the newspaper. “It’s not like they aren’t usually here, it’s that they usually hang back at the edges, or move in the shadows.” A park historian, Char Miller, told the Times that the park during shutdown is probably very similar to how it once appeared to visitors back in the 1800’s.
Trump signs executive order to mine the moon
Things may be chaotic on planet earth, but President Trump has turned his sights skyward. On April 6, Trump signed an executive order that formally recognizes the rights of private interests to claim resources in space, PHYS.org reports.
The order builds on previous directives signed into law by the Trump administration. It states that “Americans should have the right to engage in commercial exploration, recovery, and use of resources in outer space, consistent with applicable law.” It also states that the U.S. does not view space as a “global commons.”
NC hammock company secures big investment despite challenging economic times
Lawson Hammock, a small hammock company in Raleigh, NC, announced major investment from two firms, Ethical Provision Ventures and Sherpa Collaborative. The partnership will help the 15-year-old company grow. Until now, Lawson Hammock has been run entirely by its founder, Wes Johnson.
“Even through the last recession, the camping industry stayed pretty strong,” Johnson told SNEWS. “There are only so many things you can do for fun right now. Camping or even hanging out in your own backyard happens to be one of them.”
