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World Heritage team to visit Yellowstone

Organization put popular national park on danger list in 1995

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updated 9/14/2011 6:29:29 PM ET 2011-09-14T22:29:29

BILLINGS, Mont. — International observers plan to visit Yellowstone National Park next week to gauge how the world's first national park is addressing challenges that range from diseased bison to insect devastation of forests.

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At the invitation of the federal government, the Director of the World Heritage Centre and a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature will visit Yellowstone next week.

The representatives will tour the park, meet with staff and attend a public listening session Sept. 21 in West Yellowstone.

In 1995 the park was placed on a list of World Heritage sites in danger due to threats including excessive snowmobile traffic, nearby mining, the proliferation of non-native species and other perceived problems.

Subsequent to their visit, the World Heritage representatives will issue a report on their findings.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Photos: UNESCO World Heritage sites

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  4. Yangdong village, South Korea

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    Prehistoric caves of Yagul and Mitla, mexico

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  11. Bayon Temple, Cambodia

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    UNESCO World Heritage

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    Above: Slideshow (35) World Heritage Sites
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    Slideshow (28) America's national parks

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