Acreage is higher in Punjab, Haryana, UP but slips in MP, Rajasthan

As Lighthouse Trails Publishing (the publishing arm of Lighthouse Trails Research Project) soon nears the end of our 10th year (10 years this coming March), we'd like to take a moment to ponder 2011, which was a busy year for us. It's not easy being a small publisher in today's western society where book reading is being slowly squeezed out of many people's lives by the Internet, television, radio, and a host of other technological inventions. Not only that, small publishing houses must compete with the large houses that seem to have marketing budgets that keep them selling thousands, if not millions, of books. And many of the more established Christian publishers have been bought out by huge secular corporations giving their marketing budgets even more clout. An article in Christianity Today this past fall titled "HarperCollins Buys Thomas Nelson, Will Control 50% of Christian Publishing Market" is a case in point. HarperCollins bought Zondervan in 1988. Thomas Nelson and Zondervan are Christian publishing's two largest publishing house. -- But in spite of the huge challenge it is for small publishers to stay in business, Lighthouse Trails is still here after nearly a decade. We believe that God has continued to provide for us; and we thank Him for giving us the wisdom to keep our overhead small, live and work as simply and frugally as we can, and never lower our standards from what we believe they should be just so we can sell more books. We'll never be a Thomas Nelson or Zondervan (we think that might be a good thing considering their move toward contemplative and emerging), but we hope and pray we can be around another ten years and represent even more authors than we already have who have biblical and personal integrity.

Tweaking the routes of a small number of planes could reduce the warming effect of contrails by half and cost less than €4 per ticket, according to a study.

7 of the most famous bike trails in the United States to consider for your cycling trip.

Prince William went on an early-morning nature walk near South Africa's Table Mountain on Tuesday to promote the work of conservation rangers in a unique urban national park.

Last summer, many trails were overcrowded as outdoor enthusiasts and newcomers took advantage of the Granite State’s natural resources. In a conversation recorded before Memorial Day this year, we discussed what lessons we take from that experience and what to expect this summer. We discussed how we can balance sharing the trails with all those who want to use them, and also promote stewardship of our natural resources.

Naples has been called the #1 best place to live. GL Homes has Valencia Trails community has several early move in homes available.

Homebuyers dreaming about owning a designer-decorated, fully-furnished home now have that opportunity with several stunning models for sale at Valencia Trails, Naples's premier 55+ living community, by Misha and Itchko Ezratti's team at GL Homes.

Japanese artist, Chie Hitotsuyama, upcycles newspaper into splendid, life-size sculptures of animals and marine creatures. “When a piece of paper is rolled up, it increases its strength, and by glueing together one by one and side by side I can … Continue reading →

There are so many fun ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Colorado, but it's not always easy to share. It can be alarming to have a mountain biker or horseback rider suddenly interrupt your saunter on a trail (and vice versa).

American Hiking Society constantly monitors legislation that could enhance or protect the hiking experience. A new bill, HR 1912 - the Complete America’s Great Trails Act - has the potential to significantly benefit some of the most spectacular trails in America. This proposed legislation would grant a tax credit to private landowners who provide conservation easements to certified National Scenic Trails – resulting in a low-cost incentive for willing landowners to donate easements that would increase trail connectivity. This means that private landowners have a new incentive to allow hikers to pass through their property, and trails get a guaranteed corridor that protects the connectivity and continuity of the hiking experience for years to come!

American Hiking supports HR 1912 and applauds Rep. Connolly (D-VA) and Rep. Lummis (R-WY) for introducing this forward-thinking legislation. We also applaud Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR) and Rep. Bono-Mack (R-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Trails Caucus, and Reps. Kind (D-WI), Massa (D-NY), McMahon (D-NY), Lance (R-NJ), Polis (D-Co), Boccieri (D-OH), Pierluisi (D-RC-PR), for their original co-sponsorship of this important legislation.

American Hiking advocates for changes in policies that provide our partners with as many tools as possible to protect and manage our nation’s great trails. Thus, we work closely with regional and local organizations that protect, maintain and promote the various elements of America’s National Trails System. We also partner with Congress and the federal land management agencies charged with managing and administering our trail resources.

American Hiking has championed the protection and enhancement of America’s National Trails System since our founding in 1976. Our National Trails System consists of more than 7,000 authorized miles of National Scenic Trails, more than 36,000 miles of National Historic Trail routes, and more than 1,000 registered National Recreation Trails.

Take Action to urge your Representative to co-sponsor HR 1912.

Read the full text of HR 1912, and read the Dear Colleague Letter being circulated by Reps. Connolly and Lummis.

Potentially dangerous comets could be spotted many years in advance by following the meteoroid trails they leave near Earth, new research shows.

Redden State Forest has closed its campsites and many trails still remain inaccessible following the heavy snowstorm on January 3 that dumped up to 14.5 inches in nearby Ellendale. With a potential for additional snowfall of 3 inches or more and wind gusts to 35 m.p.h., Delaware Forest Service staff are currently assessing impacts from the storm and working to mitigate hazardous trees in and around high-use areas and clear trails and access roads. The Redden Education Trail (photo) on the Headquarters Tract is littered with downed trees and covered with heavy snow. Visitors should be aware of the potential for falling tree limbs on all areas of the state forest. The historic Redden Lodge, also on the Headquarters Tract, remains accessible for now and is open for previously scheduled events and bookings.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo celebrated the completion of Phase I of Elephant Trails, an innovative and expanded home for Asian elephants, on Sept. 2. Phase […]

The post Elephant Trails exhibition opens at National Zoological Park appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

A mysterious nocturnal animal was leaving its tracks on the delicate mirrors of the telescopes at the Smithsonian's Whipple Observatory in Arizona. With a little ingenuity and a live trap, the mystery was solved. The visitor proved to be a ringtail cat, a member of the raccoon family.

The post Astronomers solve mystery of dusty foot trails crossing telescope mirrors appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

Take a stunning journey through the night skies over Monument Valley, Trona Pinnacles and Red Rock Canyon.

Is the government really spraying toxic substances at 50,000 feet? Probably not, but here's what's happening with chemtrails.

Photographer Michael Marston captures airplane's rainbow trail in pictures and video.

Unbelievable days fishing the wild, raging Terror Creek, with legendary results, so near to Paonia, Colorado, yet so remote it called for hours of trudging trails over a Colorado mountain ridge. Treasures like Terror Creek were discovered in all directions.

Grand Canyon National Park was recently awarded a National Park Foundation grant to support the launch of Grand Canyon Active Trails, a new, innovative project that encourages community members and visitors alike to get out and explore their national park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2011-07-21_active-trails.htm

Grand Canyon National’s Park is proud to announce the return of Grand Canyon Active Trails. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2012-04-17_activetrails.htm

Join the Active Trails Team, Bright Angel Bicycles, and Grand Canyon Law Enforcement for the 2013 Bike Rodeo 5–7 pm May 20, 2013, at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center flag pole. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-active-trails-to-kick-off-2013-season.htm

Recent heavy monsoonal rainfall has caused damage to portions of the South Kaibab Trail approximately one-half mile below Cedar Ridge and to the North Kaibab Trail below Supai Tunnel. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/heavy-monsoonal-rain-causes-trail-damage-to-grand-canyon-trails.htm

Grand Canyon Association (GCA), the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, today announced a $1 million donation from Arizona Public Service (APS) that will establish the Grand Canyon Trails Forever Endowment to help preserve and protect Grand Canyon’s trails. This is one of the most significant private, philanthropic gifts in Grand Canyon’s history. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-association-receives-one-million-dollars-from-arizona-public-service-to-initiate-the-trails-forever-endowment-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Following a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline earlier this month, Grand Canyon National Park now has enough water in storage to scale back to Level 1 basic water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-1-water-conservation-seasonal-trail-water.htm

Due to water turbidity and maintenance issues, some of the water filling stations and flush toilets normally available along the North Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails at this time of the year will not be open until water conditions change and/or water line repairs are made. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-users-advised-of-changes-to-water-availability-on-north-kaibab-and-bright-angel-trails.htm

Soil disturbance is a visually apparent result of using heavy equipment to harvest trees. Subsequent consequences for growth of remaining trees, however, are variable and seldom quantified. We measured tree growth 7 and 11 years after thinning of trees in four stands of coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb. Franco)) where soil disturbance was limited by using planned skid trails, usually on dry soils. The three younger stands had responded to nitrogen fertilizer in the 4 years before thinning, but only one stand showed continued response in the subsequent 7- or 11-year period after thinning. The most consistent pattern observed was greater growth of residual trees located next to skid trails. The older stand also showed greater growth in trees located next to skid trails, whereas tillage of skid trails failed to benefit growth of nearby residual trees for the first 7 years after tillage. We conclude that traffic that compacted soil only on one side of residual trees did not reduce growth of nearby trees.

Serious cyclists are surely longing for a bit of diversity in their routes with the inability to bike on trails. City riding is a great alternative — you can see plenty of Seattle sights while also getting out of the house and getting some exercise. And if you’re a newbie, there’s never been a better time to hop back on your bike.

A decade ago Canberra hosted the World Mountain Bike Championships on tracks considered "the standard and the best". But the quality of the city's trails has gone downhill, and millions of dollars need to be spent to keep up.

The sheriff's office is telling hikers not to gather in groups large than four.

The plans need to be approved by the U.S. Forest Service.

Sam Hill takes on his local trails for some raw riding action.
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Are you lucky enough to have trails in your backyard, or do you need to drive to ride?
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Raw, technical trails with surprises around every corner.
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Public officials press for more social distancing as many beaches and public spaces close amid the coronavirus outbreak.

As coronavirus restrictions tighten, tips for walkers, hikers, cyclists and runners

Closures effect areas in the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

Amid coronavirus restrictions, tips for walking, hiking, cycling, running near home

Amid coronavirus pandemic, these destinations have restrictions in place.

As pandemic stay-at-home campaign presses on, public lands restrictions keep tightening

Officials stress stay-at-home campaign and public lands restrictions stay tight as California struggles to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

As California struggled against the pandemic, leaders stress isolation. Public lands restrictions remain tight, especially in L.A. County.

In fight against pandemic, restrictions remain tight in L.A. County, but easing has begun elsewhere

As the pandemic battle evolves, much public property is still off-limits but some is open for locals

As the pandemic fight evolves, some public lands are easing restrictions

As the pandemic fight evolves, state officials have stuck with closures while some cities ease up

Almost every day, the rules change in the beaches and parks of Southern California. Here's the latest on what's open and closed.

Calls to close streets to automobiles show the demand for exercise. Too bad all local trails have been closed to hikers.