Recent Stories

A 31-year-old Miami native, Ivette Fernandez is addicted to the thrill of adrenalin. “Whenever I go on a trip,” she said, “I always try to look up what extreme activities I can do in that particular place.” Fernandez, however, has never experimented with the extreme in the United States. ClickRead More…

Runoff water, humans and wild animals coexisting in the same territory, invasive animal species and invasive plants, coral reefs dying— all these are affecting our national parks. And they are some of the issues that Everglades and Biscayne National Park face when commercial development gets too close. “Anytime you haveRead More…

Regarded as a natural wonder and world-renown travel location, thousands of tourists come to visit Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, daily. The park’s pristine lakes, Redwood and Sequoia trees, mountains, and vivid natural sights have astonished its visitors for more than 135 years. With a commitment toRead More…

In December 2010, the House of Representatives passed a bill, H. Res. 1540, which was directed to the White House to set up a plan to stop drug cartels from growing marijuana in national parks. Although there is a 1996 state law in California that authorizes medical marijuana production, mostRead More…

The Yellowstone Supervolcano is supposed to erupt every 600,000 years. It has been 640,000 years since the last eruption. The year in which the Mayans predicted the world would end, 2012, is right around the corner. A supervolcano, or super volcanic eruption, is a volcanic eruption, which is an orderRead More…

The scenic vistas that tourists come to see at national parks are gradually disappearing. These scenic vistas are being affected by degrading air quality caused by several different factors. Many national parks are surrounded by buildings or factories that are contributing to air pollution. These stationary emission sources can includeRead More…

National parks attracted more than 280 million visitors in 2010. As the public steps in and out of these parks, preservation for future generations is at risk. According to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), action must be taken to ensure a balance between visitation and preservation in our nationalRead More…

Bringing pets into national parks may seem like a natural idea to some. After all, where better to take a dog than the great outdoors? The reality, however, is far from picturesque. Dogs can be dangerous to wildlife and other visitors, and often find themselves in harm’s way. All nationalRead More…

Imagine wandering along a beautiful creek on a hot summer day. Your son is playing near the water and as the day is drawing to an end. The scene couldn’t be more idyllic. Then, suddenly, a young black bear appears out of nowhere and starts to attack your child. WhileRead More…

National park employees may cringe as gas prices keep rising, the economy still struggles to rebound, and the idea of the “staycation” becomes more common among American households. As of April 2011, the national average for gasoline was $3.879 per gallon of regular unleaded fuel, according to the American AutomobileRead More…

Every day children all across the country enjoy the opportunity to explore America’s national parks through a multitude of youth programs. These programs differ in style, but all have the same main focus: educating children about history and nature. “Youth programs are key to children’s education,” said Rachelle Daigneault, chiefRead More…