It's not just national parks that are crowded

+ why giving fell in 2022 US Edition - Today's top story: US national parks are crowded – and so are many national forests, wildlife refuges, battlefields and seashores [View in browser]( US Edition | 20 June 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [How to save lives during heat waves]( - [Graffiti has become a symbol of gentrification]( - [AI – when harnessed correctly – can strengthen democracy]( Lead story 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](. [[The Conversation doesn’t have a paywall or ads: we rely on reader support to bring you these fascinating articles.](] Jennifer Weeks Senior Environment + Energy Editor Visitors at Sliding Rock, a popular cascade in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest. Cecilio Ricardo, USFS/Flickr [US national parks are crowded – and so are many national forests, wildlife refuges, battlefields and seashores]( 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. Economy + Business - [US charitable donations fell to $499 billion in 2022 as stocks slumped and inflation surged]( 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. - [Passengers whose flights are canceled or delayed may soon get better treatment in the US – where airlines have long set their own rules]( 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. Environment + Energy - [Saving lives from extreme heat: Lessons from the deadly 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave]( Jason Vogel, University of Washington; Brian G. 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