Happy birthday, President Theodore Roosevelt! One of the most influential figures in the history of American public lands, Roosevelt’s legacy is recognized at national parks, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas and national forests across the country. At Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota (seen here), visitors can learn more about this fascinating man, and see the land and wildlife he loved. Photo by Kim Wehner, National Park Service.

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota is celebrated both for its wildlife and the extraordinary visitor experiences. The refuge’s diverse habitats are dynamic, ranging from grasslands and forests to a variety of wetlands and watersheds. The refuge is also important to migratory birds. By the middle of October, Sherburne hosts thousands of sandhill cranes as they roost at night in refuge wetlands during fall migration. Dawn is the best time to see them. Sunrise photo by Pamela Robideau (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

With snow already accumulating on the Sangre de Cristo mountains, fall is coming to an end at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado. The cottonwoods along Medano Creek are losing their golden leaves and frost greets the morning. Soon, the tan dunes will put on their blanket of winter white. Photo by Patrick Myers, National Park Service.