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<ul class="summary-list"><li>A new study found some of the forests in California's Sierra Nevada no longer match their climate.</li><li>About 20% of conifers in the Sierra Nevada are experiencing "vegetation climate mismatch."</li></ul>Some of the forests in California's Sierra Nevada mountains are at risk of disappearing as the climate they are in can no longer support them, according to a new study.In a paper published last week in PNAS Nexus, researchers at Stanford University found a fifth of the conifer forests in the mountain range are now stuck in weather that is too warm for them.The term "zombie forest" is being used to refers to these tree, that are still standing for now but may not be in the future."They're cheating death, in a way," <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGoe9lULUvo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Avery Hill</a>, the lead author of the study, said. "As soon as some kind of disturbance event — in California this is probably a wildfire — shakes things up, they won't rise again. They won't keep standing."When trees or other plants are no longer suited to the environment they are in, it's called a "vegetation climate mismatch." The study estimated that about 20% of conifers in the Sierra Nevada are currently experiencing this and that the number is likely to double in the next 77 years.While the older trees are still able to survive, younger trees are having a harder time getting established. Other disturbances the forests could face include extreme drought or a logging event. The study found that in the case of a disturbance, the trees are more likely to be replaced by vegetation that is better adapted to a hotter and drier climate.The conifers of the Sierra Nevada include ponderosa pine, sugar pine, and Douglas fir. They cover some of the country's most beloved landscapes, including the Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park, and Lake Tahoe. The trees are also some of the tallest living things on Earth."Given the large number of people who live in these ecosystems and the wide range of ecosystem services they confer, we should be looking seriously at options for protecting and enhancing the features that are most important," Chris Field, a co-author of the study said study and the director of the <a href="http://woods.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment</a>, said in a <a href="https://news.stanford.edu/press-releases/2023/02/28/zombie-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>.The researchers said the maps included in the study could be used to adopt better wildfire management and develop strategies for post-wildfire restoration."Our maps force some critical – and difficult – conversations about how to manage impending ecological transitions," Hill said in the release. "These conversations can lead to better outcomes for ecosystems and people."Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at <a href="mailto:kvlamis@insider.com?inline-read-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kvlamis@insider.com</a>.

California's 'zombie forests' are 'cheating death' as the climate has changed so drastically it's no longer able to support them

As the mercury plummets and the latest weather forecast predicts fresh rounds of <keyword id="10265" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Snow">snow</keyword> across the Indian mountains, a gleeful crowd from home and abroad goes traipsing upon the ethereal <keyword id="918784" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="ski-slopes">ski slopes</keyword>. Heading off to the <keyword id="23693" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Swiss-Alps">Swiss Alps</keyword> or <keyword id="2005582" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Val-dIsre">Val d’Isère</keyword> in <keyword id="6354785" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="France">France</keyword> might be the classic choice of many, but <keyword id="2005583" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Powder-skiing">powder skiing</keyword> in the <keyword id="52569" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="himalayas">Himalayas</keyword> is getting increasingly popular among local and <keyword id="1704954" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="global-tourists">global tourists</keyword> in love with <keyword id="1614562" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="winter-sports">winter sports</keyword>. India is now home to a dozen or so <keyword id="2005584" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ski-areas">ski areas</keyword> and plans are afoot to build several international standard <keyword id="78303" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ski-resorts">ski resorts</keyword>. 
 <keyword id="90842" type="SPORT" weightage="100" keywordseo="skiing">Skiing</keyword> took off in the country during the days of the <keyword id="81273" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="British-Raj">British Raj</keyword> when two army officers first started the <keyword id="2005578" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ski-Club-of-India">Ski Club of India</keyword> in <keyword id="108228" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gulmarg">Gulmarg</keyword> back in 1927. Fast-forward to 2014 and you will find improved facilities, along with the eternally breathtaking <keyword id="6439698" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="mountain">mountain</keyword> views, the best <keyword id="2005590" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Powder-snow">powder snow</keyword> and the vast, undulating <keyword id="2005591" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Snowy-tracks">snowy tracks</keyword> – from <keyword id="2005592" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gentle-slopes">gentle slopes</keyword> and <keyword id="2005593" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Groomed-trails">groomed trails</keyword> to <keyword id="2005595" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Steep-bowls">steep bowls</keyword>, <keyword id="2005596" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chutes">chutes</keyword> and <keyword id="2005598" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tree-runs">tree runs</keyword> spilling off the magnificent ridges. Gulmarg in <keyword id="23412" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jammu-Kashmir">Jammu &amp; Kashmir</keyword> and <keyword id="484044" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Auli">Auli</keyword> in <keyword id="44522" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Uttarakhand">Uttarakhand</keyword> are the showpiece destinations, especially Auli, which features the <keyword id="2005599" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Second-largest-slopes-in-Asia">second largest slopes in Asia</keyword>. A research survey by the <keyword id="2005579" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Alpine-Tourism-Promotion-Council">Alpine Tourism Promotion Council</keyword> (ATPC) considers Auli’s slopes to be the best in the world. 
 <keyword id="2005600" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Heli-skiing">Heli-skiing</keyword> in the Himalays is another fabulous experience as the chopper flies one to spectacular heights and the <keyword id="105846" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Skier">skier</keyword> rides down the unexplored slopes – the perfect setting for this great <keyword id="6739232" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Adventure-sport">adventure sport</keyword>. The thrill-hunters can also go <keyword id="2005604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yak-skiing">yak skiing</keyword> in <keyword id="6363190" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manali">Manali</keyword> – an <keyword id="2005608" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Extreme-snow-sport">extreme snow sport</keyword> only meant for the brave hearts. Those looking for <keyword id="2005609" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Off-season-skiing">off-season skiing</keyword> would not be disappointed either. There is <keyword id="2005611" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Grass-skiing-in-summer">grass skiing in summer</keyword>, held on a 120 meter-long grassy slope in <keyword id="569617" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Solang-Valley">Solang Valley</keyword> where one can use special <keyword id="2005612" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Skis-fitted-with-wheels">skis fitted with wheels</keyword>. If you are already feeling excited and want to chill out among the snow, slopes and the wild <keyword id="383218" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="slides">slides</keyword> and <keyword id="95340" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tumbles">tumbles</keyword>, here is a look at India’s 7 <keyword id="2005614" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Best-skiing-destinations">best skiing destinations</keyword>. 
 
Image: Wikipedia

Time To Celebrate The Snow: Check Out These 7 Ski Destinations
In India

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Jorge Reyes, 27, moved from Bogotá, Colombia, to Helsinki without ever visiting Finland.</li><li>He says he was curious about what makes people characterize Finland as the happiest place on Earth.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgereyesdoku?originalSubdomain=fi">Jorge Reyes</a>, a 27-year-old professional from Bogotá, Colombia, who moved to Finland less than a year ago. The following has been edited for length and clarity.Since I was in high school I was told by my teachers that Finland was a safe and great country with robust education systems and a government and society that coexists well.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/5-surprising-facts-about-finland-the-worlds-happiest-country-2023-6?r=US&amp;IR=T">Finland</a> was the opposite of my hometown in Bogotá, Colombia, and completely unlike my Caribbean background, where 40 degrees Celsius, beaches, and sunshine are the norm. But I wanted a change.I saw on social media that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/finland-happiness-masterclass-grattitude-nature-community-2023-12?r=US&amp;IR=T">Finland was ranked one of the happiest countries in the world</a>. I needed to know why. Ironically, Colombia was up there on this list, but I felt I needed to experience Finland for myself.<h2>I found a job in Helsinki on LinkedIn and packed my bags</h2>Despite having a great job at the software company HubSpot in Bogotá, I logged on to LinkedIn and looked for job opportunities in Finland in my field. I found a job as an account executive at a Finnish startup called Supermetrics.In March 2023, I packed up my life in Colombia and moved despite not knowing anyone there. My new company paid for my relocation and the $1,200 one-way flight from Bogotá.As a fluent English and Spanish speaker, I originally feared being unable to communicate with others, but people speak English so well here.My friends and family weren't surprised when I told them I was moving, because I'd lived abroad in Spain and have traveled extensively.The last nine months have been a life-changing experience.Logistically, it was simple to navigate the visa process. For work, I entered into a professional-skills contract and qualified for a specialist visa. When I arrived, I could easily get an ID, open a bank account, and find an apartment. I rent a studio close to the Helsinki city center and pay about 950 euros monthly for it.<h2>Making friends with Finns takes time</h2>At first, it took some time to make friends and find my community. The Finnish take time to warm up to you, but once you become friends, those relationships are long-lasting.Even the dating scene here is straightforward. There are the usual apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, and people are open to going on walks or coffees, though dinner in the beginning may be too much for a Finnish person.<h2>I feel safe and connected to nature in Helsinki</h2>Families <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/nordic-parents-nap-babies-subzero-temperatures-sleep-better-2020-1">leave their children alone to sleep outside</a> and acclimate to the weather. I've never felt unsafe walking alone no matter what time it is. I could also leave my laptop or personal belongings at a café and return hours later, and it would still be there.There's a culture of walking in nature here. There are many open forests — much of Finland is dominated by conifer trees — and people spend a lot of time going on long walks or strolls without any fear of their surroundings.This immersion in nature is a complete disconnect from the haste of urban life. Unlike parks, the forests never really close. It helps me feel grounded and relieve stress from the fast-paced lifestyle of working in tech.Here in the winter, when it starts to get dark at 3 p.m., people help each other by checking in on each other more often, hosting sauna sessions, and making more plans together. The mentality is "it's us against the dark,'' and it helps build a sense of community.<h2>I have more disposable income and am respected at work</h2>In terms of expenses, I spend about 200 euros on groceries a month. I pay about 35% of my annual income in taxes. My salary is taxed at 25% plus other deductions, but they vary depending on how much you make. I have more disposable income here than back home.Working in Finland has been easier than other roles I've held because there's less bureaucracy here. I don't need to ask permission to speak to different people in the company, and my values and opinions on my work are respected.<h2>I miss home, but I'm getting used to Finnish mannerisms</h2>I've never experienced any racism. I'm sure smaller cities within Finland might not be as receptive to foreigners as the bigger cities, but they're becoming increasingly inclusive.Plus, it's easy to travel within Europe — so far I've visited Sweden, London, Estonia, Amsterdam, Italy, Paris, and Spain.My biggest challenge is missing my family and friends, music, and food from back home. But I'm slowly getting used to the environment here and learning about Finnish mannerisms.Living here has certainly exceeded my expectations. I came with an open mind and a desire to enrich myself with new experiences.I'm documenting my journey on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@georgeinfinland">TikTok </a>because I want to show the world how powerful it is to move to an unknown country and make it home.

I moved to Finland after reading it's the happiest place on Earth. It's exceeded all my expectations.

Oregon's Bootleg wildfire, currently the largest active blaze in the <keyword id="6354458" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="US">US</keyword>, has so far scorched an area 1.5 times the size of New York City, has destroyed at least 160 homes and 117 other buildings since it erupted on July 6, officials said. As of Monday, the active wildfire, which has burned through more than 300,000 acres, was 25 per cent contained from 22 per cent the previous day, reports <keyword id="106387" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Xinhua-news-agency">Xinhua news agency</keyword>. According to the fire officials, another 2,500 structures have been threatened by the massive blaze which has also triggered the expansion of mass evacuation orders. Two evacuation centres have been set up for residents in several cities, including <keyword id="11680302" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="klamath-falls">Klamath Falls</keyword> and <keyword id="155995" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Redmond">Redmond</keyword>. Meanwhile, the Log Fire is burning a couple of miles to the northeast of Bootleg Fire and has grown to more than 10,000 acres. The two fires are likely to merge, Marcus Kauffman, spokesman for the <keyword id="11654629" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="oregon-department-of-forestry">Oregon Department of Forestry</keyword>, said in a statement on Monday. Bootleg Fire is burning through high desert conifer forests parched after a long-running drought and above-average temperatures, according to a report by <keyword id="3325693" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Oregonlive">OregonLive</keyword>. Bootleg is one of more than 80 major fires raging across 13 US states, spurred by heatwaves and high winds, the BBC reported. Wildfires have already scorched more than 1.2 million acres of the country this year, mainly in western states, according to the <keyword id="1113023" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Interagency-Fire-Center">National Interagency Fire Center</keyword>. More than 4,000 blazes have been recorded by the organisation so far in 2021, which is almost double last year's total. In California, five times as many acres have burned compared with the same period last year. SEE ALSO - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/apple-could-finally-bring-the-always-on-display-feature-on-the-iphone-13/articleshow/84542970.cms">Apple could finally bring the always-on display feature on the iPhone 13</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/g-r-infraprojects-ipo-makes-a-strong-listing-on-exchanges-with-over-100-premium-shares-open-at-1700/articleshow/84542747.cms">G R Infraprojects IPO makes a strong listing on exchanges with over 100% premium, shares open at ₹1700</a>

Oregon  Bootleg wildfire scorches area 1.5 times the size of New York City, destroyed 160 homes and 117 buildings so far

<ul class="summary-list"><li>There's a wealth of adventures to embark on when visiting Washington, DC.</li><li>To get you started on your DC explorations, Insider created a list of must-do activities.</li></ul>It's no surprise that our nation's capital has lots to do. From history aficionados and epicureans to outdoor enthusiasts and city slickers, Washington has something to pique every traveler's interests. However, if you're looking for experiences that are a step above the typical tourist to-do list and showcase a side of the city most first-timers miss, there are many noteworthy activities and sights that you should add to your agenda.I've spent time in DC regularly for the past decade and curated the following list of hidden gems, under-the-radar spaces, and fascinating places that should be visited in tandem with any stop along the National Mall or photo in front of the White House. Keep reading for my picks of must-see spots and things to do.<div type="image" title="View of the Potomac River and the verdant green forest of Theodore Roosevelt Island from the Rock Creek Parkway in Georgetown. The gleaming highrises of Rosslyn, Virginia, peek over the treetops." height="2994" width="3992" msid="87284389" hostid="261"></div>Kayak the Potomac River to Theodore Roosevelt IslandFor a unique vantage point of some of the district's most famous monuments, take to DC's waterways. I like to spend the day <a href="https://boatingindc.com/dc-activities/tours/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">paddling down the Potomac River</a> toward the Tidal Basin before heading back up to explore Theodore Roosevelt Island. This secluded oasis offers several scenic trails through forest, swamp, and marshland, as well as a memorial to the US's 26 th president.<div type="image" title="Side-by-side of three images with an exterior shot of the National Arboretum where trees surround one of the entry points and different plants on display." height="750" width="1500" msid="87285588" hostid="261"></div>US National ArboretumThe sprawling 446-acre grounds of the <a href="https://www.usna.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">US National Arboretum</a> offer an immersive nature experience of marked trails, lush evergreen conifer, and bonsai groves without ever having to leave the district lines. If you visit in the spring, be sure to check out the cherry blossom trees that surround the former sandstone Corinthian columns of the US Capitol.<div type="image" title="A wall with a railing that has &quot;Dupont Underground&quot; spray painted in pink and blue colors and bubble font" height="2661" width="3992" msid="87284392" hostid="261"></div>Dupont UndergroundHoused in an abandoned streetcar station, <a href="https://dupontunderground.org/events" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Dupont Underground</a> is an eclectic 15,000-square-foot art space situated directly under Dupont Circle. Events include interactive art showcases, poetry readings, and comedy shows. Once a month, the space also plays host to a flea market featuring one-of-a-kind goods by local artisans.<div type="image" title="Side-by-side of three outdoor shots U Street with business signs and people crossing a street." height="1250" width="2500" msid="87284530" hostid="261"></div>U Street Food and History Walking TourA <a href="https://www.blueferntravel.com/fork-tours/u-street-tour/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">food tour through the U Street Corridor</a>, one of the city's most historic and lively neighborhoods, is a great way to experience DC's burgeoning dining scene. Knowledgeable guides explain the history behind the area, once famously known as Black Broadway, while you sample some of the district's signature flavors like mambo sauce, chili, and spicy half-smokes.<div type="image" title="The exterior of The Reach at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, USA." height="3840" width="5119" msid="90967825" hostid="261"></div>The Reach at the Kennedy CenterPlaying host to contemporary art exhibits, live concerts and film screenings, the <a href="https://www.kennedy-center.org/reach/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Reach at the Kennedy Center</a> is an expansive new indoor-outdoor venue at the Kennedy Center. With an estimated 69,000 square feet of landscaped roof gardens, a grove of ginkgo trees, and a tranquil reflecting pool, the Reach is worth a visit even if you don't have a performance to attend.<div type="image" title="A glass of red wine sits on a barrel in a wine cellar filled with more barrels. The wine glass says &quot;District Winery&quot;" height="3929" width="5239" msid="90967827" hostid="261"></div>Taste local craft beer and wineDC seems to have no shortage of dives, hidden speakeasies, and cocktail bars, alongside a thriving post-work happy hour culture. The past couple of years, in particular, have ushered in a community of craft breweries (there are currently 15 in DC), wine bars, and local wineries who aren't afraid to get inventive with their pours and ales.For the oenophiles, DC's first winery, <a href="https://districtwinery.com/tours" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">District Winery</a> in Navy Yard offers wine tastings — I love their rosé — while woman-owned <a href="https://www.rightproperbrewing.com/brookland-beer" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Right Proper Brewing</a>'s Northeast DC location houses a tasting room and offers brewery tours. And don't miss a chance to sip on three of the district's Black-owned beer labels: <a href="https://www.sankofabeer.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Sankofa Beer Company</a>, <a href="https://soulmega.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Soul Mega</a>, and <a href="https://www.urbangardenbrewing.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Urban Garden Brewing</a>.<div type="image" title="A sprawling stone staircase behind a green lake and trees turning fall colors surrounding park area" height="2020" width="2697" msid="90967829" hostid="261"></div>Malcolm X (Meridian Hill) ParkKnown as <a href="https://historicsites.dcpreservation.org/items/show/494" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Malcolm X Park</a> by locals — a rename originally <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/is-it-meridian-hill-park-or-malcolm-x-park-your-answer-is-meaningful/2018/11/02/610af0e2-d07e-11e8-b2d2-f397227b43f0_story.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">suggested by activist Angela Davis</a> during a 1969 rally — Meridian Hill Park's history as a site for political rallies dates back to the 1960s when it served as an important gathering spot for Black activists.Straddling the Adams Morgan, U Street, and Columbia Heights neighborhoods, this 12-acre park is also home to the country's largest cascading fountain and a statue of Joan of Arc, the district's only equestrian statue with a woman.Adding to the appeal is a family-friendly drum circle that happens every Sunday afternoon. It's been a great way for me to meet locals since moving to DC.<div type="image" title="The Library of Congress view from balcony. A circular desk surrounded by smaller work desks arranged in a circular pattern with red walls and stone archways" height="3750" width="5000" msid="90967833" hostid="261"></div>The Library of CongressHome to over 171 million documents, including more than 40 million cataloged books, The <a href="https://www.loc.gov/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Library of Congress</a> currently stands as the world's largest library.While you'll need to register for a valid Reader ID card to access the catalogs in the public reading rooms, a free tour — <a href="https://loc.usedirect.com/LOC/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">reservations</a> are a must and are released 30 days in advance — of the impressive building, built in a Beaux-Arts style, allows access to the Great Hall with Roman murals and ornate pairs of Corinthian columns.The musically inclined should make their way to the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/visit/maps-and-floor-plans/special-events-spaces/whittall-pavilion/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Whittall Pavilion</a>. Available by prior appointment with the library's music division, the pavilion houses an extensive collection of rare musical instruments, including Stradivari violins and the world's largest collection of flutes.<div type="image" title="Interior of the Hirshhorn Museum with windows along wall and circular seating area" height="1520" width="2027" msid="90967836" hostid="261"></div>Museum hopping on the National MallIn addition to the famous monuments and memorials, the National Mall is also home to several Smithsonian museums, which draw visitors from around the world. Crowds flock to the two most-visited museums on the Mall, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, but for fewer crowds and equally intriguing exhibits, I head to two of my favorites: the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to capture kitschy, Instagram-worthy shots at the newest <a href="https://hirshhorn.si.edu/exhibitions/one-with-eternity-yayoi-kusama-in-the-hirshhorn-collection/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Yayoi Kusama exhibit</a>, and the National Museum of the American Indian where an immersive storytelling exhibit tells the <a href="https://americanindian.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/item?id=976" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">indigenous story of Raven</a>. With over 155 million artifacts in the Smithsonian's collection, there's something for every kind of art lover to enjoy.<div type="image" title="Lake with bridge in background with forrest on a sunny day" height="1190" width="1586" msid="90967839" hostid="261"></div>Rock Creek ParkSituated within the city on over 1,800 acres is <a href="https://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Rock Creek Park</a>, a lush oasis with 32 miles of hiking trails, bike tracks, and historic sites.Whether you choose to spend the day exploring Civil War sites or horseback riding — there are 13 acres of gravel and dirt bridle paths throughout the park — you'll quickly forget you're within the confines of a major city.When the weather warms, there's nothing locals like me love more than spending the afternoon <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/250005" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">picnicking in the park</a> with friends.<a href="https://www.insider.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-traveling-to-washington-dc-2021-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting Washington, DC.</a>

I've lived in DC for 10 years &mdash; here's my list of under-the-radar spaces and fascinating places that most tourists miss

It's hard to think of too many animals that could take out a grizzly bear.
At nearly 1,000 pounds and standing up to eight feet tall on its hind legs, the razor-toothed beast seems immune to all but the fiercest of contenders - and yet, one of the biggest threats to grizzlies is a tiny animal, hardly bigger than your fingernail.
Meet the mountain pine beetle.
This little insect looks harmless enough, and in fact it's a native species in North America. But it's been wiping out conifer forests all over the western United States - forests that grizzlies rely on for food. Helped along by rising temperatures and a drier climate, expressions of global climate change, the beetle is expanding its range and devastating forests throughout the western half of the country.
Here's how they do it: Adult pine beetles burrow under the outer bark of conifer trees and lay their eggs. Later, these eggs hatch into hungry beetle larvae, which chow down on the tender inner bark, causing serious damage and often death to the tree.
This is bad news for the grizzly bear, which feeds on one of the beetle's favorite targets: the whitebark pine. Whitebark seeds are a major source of calories for grizzly bears, particularly in the fall before they go into hibernation.
And with millions of these trees disappearing up and down the west coast, it's looking like the bears may need to start exploring other options - and fast.
The pine beetle roams everywhere from New Mexico north to Canada, and it's killed more than <a href="http://www.climatecentral.org/news/fears-that-beetle-infestation-will-fuel-larger-fires-in-west-14834">70,000 square miles</a> of trees in the last decade, alone. And scientists predict its reign of terror will only grow worse in the coming years.
While global climate change is a major threat to plants and animals all over the world, the mountain pine beetle is actually benefiting from rising temperatures. 
Recent research, including a <a href="http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/11-1055.1">study published in the journal Ecology</a> and a <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/110/6/2193">study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, suggests that the beetles thrive in warmer temperatures and with less rainfall, two expected impacts of climate change in the western US. This is already apparent, as scientists have noticed the beetles reproducing earlier and spreading farther than ever before, leading to more frequent and severe infestations around the West.
As the climate continues to become warmer and drier, pine beetles will likely continue to multiply and expand their range, which is bad news for conifer forests and the vulnerable grizzlies. Although bears are good at adapting to food shortages and finding other things to eat, this ability often drives them close to human civilization in search of snacks - but end up facing a hunter's gun instead.
Defenders of Wildlife, a wildlife advocacy group, writes that a shortage of whitebark pine seeds can "lead [grizzlies] to seek out sources of food that can come from humans, like garbage, domestic fruit trees and livestock. Grizzly bears that choose to adapt to human-generated food resources often die as a result."
Other studies suggest that mother grizzly bears who eat more whitebark seeds before hibernation have cubs that are healthier and more likely to survive, which is crucial to the future of grizzlies in North America. Fewer cubs that survive mean a smaller and smaller population of grizzlies.
Even more unfortunately, the pine beetle isn't the only organism knocking out whitebark pines. An invasive fungus known as "<a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/highelevationwhitepines/Threats/blister-rust-threat.htm">white pine blister rust</a>" is also killing off trees in the Western US.
Grizzly bears currently enjoy special protections as a "threatened" species under the Endangered Species Act. Out of the nearly 50,000 grizzlies that once roamed the United States, fewer than 2,000 are estimated to remain, <a href="http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/grizzly/">according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service</a>. In 2007, the Service moved to de-list the grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, arguing that the population was sufficiently recovering. But conservation groups sued the US government, and protections were restored, partly thanks to concerns over the declining whitebark pine, <a href="http://www.nature.com/news/yellowstone-grizzlies-face-losing-protected-status-1.14561">reports Nature</a>.
Whether grizzly bears will keep their protected status in the long run remains up in the air. Conservationists remain serious about the threats to the whitebark pine, which - under the influence of beetles, fungus, and climate change - could be in for a long, rough road ahead.

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