Today President Obama designated Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument – our nation’s newest national monument and the 413th site in the national park system. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument will permanently protect north-central Maine’s  awe-inspiring mountains, forests and waters for current and future generations. The approximately 87,500 acres that make up the new national monument is rich in biodiversity and known for its outstanding opportunities to hike, canoe, hunt, fish, snowmobile, snowshoe and cross-country ski. What a great way to kick off the National Park Service’s next 100 years of conservation! Photo courtesy of Bill Duffy.

Everglades National Park in Florida is a subtle place where earth, water and sky blend in a low green landscape – where mere inches of elevation produce distinct changes in vegetation and a great wealth of birds and other unique wildlife find refuge. One of the most environmentally significant regions in the world, this special park can also impress with its sublime beauty. Sunset photo courtesy of Aryeh Nirenberg.

Whooo is that? A baby Mexican spotted owl at Zion National Park in Utah! National parks aren’t just for people to enjoy – they also preserve important habitat for wildlife like the Mexican spotted owl, found in Zion’s slot canyons. It’s one of the largest owls in North America and is listed as a threatened species by both the U.S. and Mexican governments. Protecting parks helps ensure these owls have a home for years to come. Photo by Sarah Stio, National Park Service.

Stretching from the Rio Grande to the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park in Texas includes massive canyons, vast desert expanses, forested mountains and an ever-changing river. Explore one of the last remaining  wild corners of the United States where scenic vistas, historic sites and border culture can be found. Remember all national parks are waiving entrance fees August 25-28 to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th birthday!

Photo by Kirsten Thompson (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

A brilliant summer sun rises over Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, shining golden light through the limbs of an old burl oak and burning away the morning fog. The refuge runs for almost 70 miles along the Minnesota River, providing visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy wildlife observation and recreation in the shadows of skyscrapers, grain elevators and towering trees. Photo by Erik Fremstad (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Sometimes there are just no words to describe the beauty of Glacier National Park’s high alpine meadows. Video from Glacier’s Boulder Pass Trail by Ranger Amanda, National Park Service. 

Join us August 25 at the Glacier Instameet to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th birthday. We’ll meet at Apgar Village at 6 pm – we hope to see you then!