At Interior, every day is Earth Day as we work to protect the lands and waters that belong to all Americans and ensure a bright future for our shared heritage. At Everglades National Park in Florida, we’re helping restore historic water flows and wildlife habitat and working to understand the impacts of climate change. Secretary Jewell is in the Everglades today celebrating the next phase of the Tamiami Trail Bridge, one of the largest conservation projects the National Park Service has ever undertaken. Photo by Glenn Nagel (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl). #FindYourPark
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is home to wildlife like this cute fawn, who wandered away from its mother to munch on spring plants. To share more National Park experiences like this one, join us for a Shenandoah Instameet on Saturday, April 23, as part of our National Park Week celebrations. We’ll meet at the Stonyman Trail parking lot (Mile 41.7 on the Skyline Drive) at 4:30 pm ET and take pictures along the way. Everyone is welcome to join the fun and we hope to see you there – be sure to share your photos with us afterwards using #ShenNPS and #FindYourPark!
With the glow of the Milky Way and the northern lights above you, camping at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington beats any 5 star hotel. From snowy mountaintops to flower carpeted valleys, Mount Rainier is a nature lover’s paradise. Photo by Devin Monas (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).
Looking for a National Park Week adventure? Photographer Jonathan Irish recommends Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas. Besides stunning mountains and rolling plains, sunset over the sand dunes is quite an experience. “You aren’t really sure what to expect until you see these striking dunes unfold on the horizon. I was lucky enough to see a beautiful sunset here, which took my breath away. The hike back to the car, by myself in the dark with coyotes howling all around, was quite interesting.” Photo courtesy of Jonathan Irish.
The United States has nearly 84 million acres of historic and scenic land in its national parks system. In celebration of National Park Week, here are some satellite views of a few of those national treasures.
Throughout National Park Week, you can #FindYourPark and visit for free.
Yosemite National Park – California
Naked summits alternate with forested lowlands in Yosemite Valley, part of California’s Yosemite National Park. Our Landsat 7 satellite captured this true-color image of part of the Yosemite Valley on Aug. 8, 2001.
Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming, Idaho and Montana
Established in 1872, it was the first national park in the United States, and the world! Its geological and biological wonders have led international groups to declare it a world heritage site and a biosphere reserve. Yellowstone National Park captures the spirit and purpose of the National Park Service, blending modern and ancient human history with nature in its raw complexity.
Hot Springs National Park – Arkansas
National Parks usually make us think of pristine landscapes untouched by human civilization. Most of the 59 national parks in the United States fit that mold, but there are a few exceptions. Arkansas’s Hot Springs National Park, the country’s smallest and most urban, is one of them. Hot Springs, a city of 96,000 people, lies at the southern edge of the park and partly within its boarders.
Shenandoah National Park – Virginia
This long, narrow park in the Blue Ridge Mountains spans more than 179,000 acres, with 40% of the land protected as wilderness. More than 95% of the park is forested, sheltering 1,300 plant species and 267 types of trees and shrubs. The park contains 577 archeological sites, more than 100 cemeteries, and some rocks that date back a billion years.
Olympic National Park – Washington
Possibly one of America’s most diverse national landscapes, Olympic National Park is situated on the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington. If you walked from west to east across the park, you would start at the rocky Pacific shoreline, move into rare temperate rainforests and lush river valleys, ascend glaciers and rugged mountain peaks, and then descend into a comparatively dry rain shadow and alpine forest. From beach to the top of Mount Olympus, you would rise 7,980 feet above sea level.
Colorado National Monument – Colorado
Along the Interstate 70 corridor in western Colorado, well-watered croplands, residential properties and urbanized areas create a broad stripe of green and gray. Away from the interstate, dry climate conditions color the landscape shades of beige, brick and tan. Yet these arid regions offer treasures of their own, including stunning vistas and wildlife both living and extinct. The varied landscapes of this park show the effects of tens of millions of years of erosion.
Want to see more of our nation’s parks from space? Visit our Flickr gallery HERE.
Mink in Alaska are larger and darker than most weasels. They can hunt on land and water, preying on fish, rodents, birds and insects. Mostly solitary, they only gather during breeding season in the spring. However, this mink at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve doesn’t seem to be thinking about romance. Photo by J. Mills, National Park Service.
When visiting Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Arizona, take a short 1.5 mile round-trip trail to see Horseshoe Bend – one of the most photographed and awe-inspiring spots on the Colorado River. No matter how many times you’ve visited, you’re guaranteed to see something new. The colors of the rocks change throughout the day as shadows move in and out of the canyons and the river shines in different shades of green and blue. We promise, you won’t regret making the trip. Photo by David Long (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).
Sacred to more than a dozen Native American tribes, Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming was originally called “Bear’s Lodge” or “Bear’s Tipi.” Its otherworldly appearance played a role in origin stories and the legends of heroes. Rising 600 feet above the surrounding plains, it is an impressive and moving sight. Photo of a lightning strike over the monument by Judit Fabian (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).
It’s the best time of year! The first baby bison of spring was recently spotted at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Calves are orange-red in color and can walk within 3 hours of birth. Before long, nursery groups of calves will romp around together, but never far from their mothers’ watchful eyes. Video by Deb Lee Carson, National Park Service.
“I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” – John Muir
Author and conservationist John Muir – nicknamed the “Father of the National Parks” – shared his love of the outdoors through writing and inspired people to protect our country’s wild places like Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Sequoia & King’s Canyon national parks. Now’s the perfect time to get outdoors and start exploring your public lands – visit all national parks for FREE during National Park Week from April 16-24. Get inspired with a few of our favorite John Muir quotes: http://on.doi.gov/1MucmMu
Sig Nordal 