Melanie S.
@ocparkbuilder.bsky.social
Geographer. Environmentalist. 30x30 Activist. Chronic Illness. National Park Lover. Weekend Camper. Cat Mom.
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q11: If there were one awe-inspiring sight/experience in a park that you think could lead to social growth, and make the world a better place, what would it be? #parkchat
December 18, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Q11: If there were one awe-inspiring sight/experience in a park that you think could lead to social growth, and make the world a better place, what would it be? #parkchat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q10: Sociologists say that when we experience awe in nature we are forced to confront its vastness, increasing humility, and facilitating social growth. Have you found this to be true in your experience? #parkchat
December 18, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Q10: Sociologists say that when we experience awe in nature we are forced to confront its vastness, increasing humility, and facilitating social growth. Have you found this to be true in your experience? #parkchat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q8: Speaking of astronomy by day or night, as an astronomer one of the things I love about parks is how otherworldly they can be. What’s a park that makes you feel like you are on another planet and appreciate our planet anew? #parkchat
December 18, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Q8: Speaking of astronomy by day or night, as an astronomer one of the things I love about parks is how otherworldly they can be. What’s a park that makes you feel like you are on another planet and appreciate our planet anew? #parkchat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q9: Awe is described as a reverential feeling of respect mixed with fear or wonder. What’s an awe-inspiring experience you’ve had in a park? #parkchat
December 18, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Q9: Awe is described as a reverential feeling of respect mixed with fear or wonder. What’s an awe-inspiring experience you’ve had in a park? #parkchat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q4: It’s estimated that 80% of the US population can no longer see the Milky Way from where they live. Can you? If not, how far do you have to travel to see it and is it at a park? #parkchat
December 18, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Q4: It’s estimated that 80% of the US population can no longer see the Milky Way from where they live. Can you? If not, how far do you have to travel to see it and is it at a park? #parkchat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q5: In 2007 DarkSky International declared Natural Bridges Nat Mon to be the world’s 1st International Dark Sky Park. This year they named their 250th. Have you been to an International Dark Sky place? Where? What was it like? #parkchat
December 18, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Q5: In 2007 DarkSky International declared Natural Bridges Nat Mon to be the world’s 1st International Dark Sky Park. This year they named their 250th. Have you been to an International Dark Sky place? Where? What was it like? #parkchat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q3: In 2009 I coined the phrase “Half the park is after dark” to raise awareness of night skies for park visitors and park officials. Have you been to a night sky talk in a park recently? Where and what was the topic? # parkchat
December 18, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Q3: In 2009 I coined the phrase “Half the park is after dark” to raise awareness of night skies for park visitors and park officials. Have you been to a night sky talk in a park recently? Where and what was the topic? # parkchat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q2: In 2007 I began working with rangers on night sky interpretation. A superintendent once asked me what starry skies had to do with parks. Are starry skies a part of your park experience? If so how? #parkchat
December 18, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Q2: In 2007 I began working with rangers on night sky interpretation. A superintendent once asked me what starry skies had to do with parks. Are starry skies a part of your park experience? If so how? #parkchat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q1: As an astronomer, my life changed in 2005 the night I saw a ranger talk in Yosemite Valley about rangers protecting the view of starry skies in the nation’s parks. How has a park changed you or the path you were on in life? #parkchat
December 18, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Q1: As an astronomer, my life changed in 2005 the night I saw a ranger talk in Yosemite Valley about rangers protecting the view of starry skies in the nation’s parks. How has a park changed you or the path you were on in life? #parkchat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Welcome to a special “Stars Above,Earth Below in America’s National Parks” episode of #ParkChat featuring @spaceart.bsky.social It’s great to have Tyler here and I’m expecting a big crowd for him tonight. As you sign in please let us know where you’re participating from this evening.
December 18, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Welcome to a special “Stars Above,Earth Below in America’s National Parks” episode of #ParkChat featuring @spaceart.bsky.social It’s great to have Tyler here and I’m expecting a big crowd for him tonight. As you sign in please let us know where you’re participating from this evening.
Reposted by Melanie S.
The Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor has numerous federally listed threatened and endangered species. Hills For Everyone opposes the rule changes.
1/3
1/3
December 15, 2025 at 12:25 AM
The Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor has numerous federally listed threatened and endangered species. Hills For Everyone opposes the rule changes.
1/3
1/3
Reposted by Melanie S.
A12. Next Tuesday, December 16, the #ParkChat book club will have its first discussion of Our Wildlife Heritage by Terry Grosz. Join us on Zoom at 7 pm Central. This is a friendly, informal group of friends. You should join us. For more details contact @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social.
December 11, 2025 at 3:15 AM
A12. Next Tuesday, December 16, the #ParkChat book club will have its first discussion of Our Wildlife Heritage by Terry Grosz. Join us on Zoom at 7 pm Central. This is a friendly, informal group of friends. You should join us. For more details contact @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social.
Reposted by Melanie S.
A12. Do you like to read outdoors and parks-related books? Have you thought about joining the #ParkChat book club? We're just starting on Defending Our Wildlife Heritage by Terry Grosz. We meet on Zoom the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 pm Central for good convos. Contact @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 3:48 AM
A12. Do you like to read outdoors and parks-related books? Have you thought about joining the #ParkChat book club? We're just starting on Defending Our Wildlife Heritage by Terry Grosz. We meet on Zoom the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 pm Central for good convos. Contact @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social
Day 9 & 10 - Sat. Oct. 4 to Sun. Oct. 5, 2025
📍Brookings, OR
📍Alfred Loeb SP, OR
Leaving California, I headed up the Oregon Coast. This was the purpose of this trip -- to see the Oregon Coastline. I was finally here to do that!
1/5
📍Brookings, OR
📍Alfred Loeb SP, OR
Leaving California, I headed up the Oregon Coast. This was the purpose of this trip -- to see the Oregon Coastline. I was finally here to do that!
1/5
November 30, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Day 9 & 10 - Sat. Oct. 4 to Sun. Oct. 5, 2025
📍Brookings, OR
📍Alfred Loeb SP, OR
Leaving California, I headed up the Oregon Coast. This was the purpose of this trip -- to see the Oregon Coastline. I was finally here to do that!
1/5
📍Brookings, OR
📍Alfred Loeb SP, OR
Leaving California, I headed up the Oregon Coast. This was the purpose of this trip -- to see the Oregon Coastline. I was finally here to do that!
1/5
Reposted by Melanie S.
We are still working on our topic but this week #ParkChat welcomes Hall of Famer @btarrington.bsky.social as our special guest host. I’m certain that Todd will put together a terrific chat. Please join us. @naturetechfam.bsky.social @camarowrx.bsky.social @tthrash.bsky.social @mountainscalling.me
November 30, 2025 at 6:43 PM
We are still working on our topic but this week #ParkChat welcomes Hall of Famer @btarrington.bsky.social as our special guest host. I’m certain that Todd will put together a terrific chat. Please join us. @naturetechfam.bsky.social @camarowrx.bsky.social @tthrash.bsky.social @mountainscalling.me
Reminder to get your yearly screening!! #BreastCancerAwareness
November 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Reminder to get your yearly screening!! #BreastCancerAwareness
Friends, I'm contemplating a western Canadian NPs trip and some MT/WY/UT spots... send me your recommendations if you have them. #ParkChat
November 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Friends, I'm contemplating a western Canadian NPs trip and some MT/WY/UT spots... send me your recommendations if you have them. #ParkChat
Day 8 & 9 - Fri., Oct. 3 - Sat. Oct. 4, 2025
📍Orick, CA
📍Prairie Creek Redwoods SP, CA
I left my mom and Jacob at the airport, completed a work meeting, and then headed off back to Prairie Creek Redwoods SP. This time to what has been dubbed the best coastal campground in all of California
1/7
📍Orick, CA
📍Prairie Creek Redwoods SP, CA
I left my mom and Jacob at the airport, completed a work meeting, and then headed off back to Prairie Creek Redwoods SP. This time to what has been dubbed the best coastal campground in all of California
1/7
November 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Day 8 & 9 - Fri., Oct. 3 - Sat. Oct. 4, 2025
📍Orick, CA
📍Prairie Creek Redwoods SP, CA
I left my mom and Jacob at the airport, completed a work meeting, and then headed off back to Prairie Creek Redwoods SP. This time to what has been dubbed the best coastal campground in all of California
1/7
📍Orick, CA
📍Prairie Creek Redwoods SP, CA
I left my mom and Jacob at the airport, completed a work meeting, and then headed off back to Prairie Creek Redwoods SP. This time to what has been dubbed the best coastal campground in all of California
1/7
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q4: Out here, the desert has a soundtrack: ravens echoing in canyons, wind carving through fins, distant thunder bouncing off sandstone. But every park has its signature sound.
What is a sound in nature that instantly teleports you into “park mode”? #ParkChat
What is a sound in nature that instantly teleports you into “park mode”? #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Q4: Out here, the desert has a soundtrack: ravens echoing in canyons, wind carving through fins, distant thunder bouncing off sandstone. But every park has its signature sound.
What is a sound in nature that instantly teleports you into “park mode”? #ParkChat
What is a sound in nature that instantly teleports you into “park mode”? #ParkChat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Autocorrect has become our worst enema.
November 19, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Autocorrect has become our worst enema.
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q3: People often picture solitude as standing alone under a giant arch, but solitude can look different everywhere — from quiet beaches to misty forests to early-morning trailheads.
When you’re outdoors, do you seek quiet, or do you like hearing people around? #ParkChat
When you’re outdoors, do you seek quiet, or do you like hearing people around? #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Q3: People often picture solitude as standing alone under a giant arch, but solitude can look different everywhere — from quiet beaches to misty forests to early-morning trailheads.
When you’re outdoors, do you seek quiet, or do you like hearing people around? #ParkChat
When you’re outdoors, do you seek quiet, or do you like hearing people around? #ParkChat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q2: Canyonlands is known for horizons that just… keep going. But incredible horizons can happen anywhere — from alpine ridges to rolling grasslands to barrier islands.
Where in public lands have you experienced the most jaw-dropping horizon? #ParkChat
Where in public lands have you experienced the most jaw-dropping horizon? #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Q2: Canyonlands is known for horizons that just… keep going. But incredible horizons can happen anywhere — from alpine ridges to rolling grasslands to barrier islands.
Where in public lands have you experienced the most jaw-dropping horizon? #ParkChat
Where in public lands have you experienced the most jaw-dropping horizon? #ParkChat
Reposted by Melanie S.
Q1: In places like Arches & Canyonlands, scale can feel unreal, but the feeling of “vastness” isn’t just a desert thing. Forests, coasts, mountains, tundra… they all have their own version of “big.”
What makes a park feel big to you? Is it the view? The silence? The sky? Something else? #ParkChat
What makes a park feel big to you? Is it the view? The silence? The sky? Something else? #ParkChat
November 20, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Q1: In places like Arches & Canyonlands, scale can feel unreal, but the feeling of “vastness” isn’t just a desert thing. Forests, coasts, mountains, tundra… they all have their own version of “big.”
What makes a park feel big to you? Is it the view? The silence? The sky? Something else? #ParkChat
What makes a park feel big to you? Is it the view? The silence? The sky? Something else? #ParkChat