If not for the foresight of a few individuals including Theodore Roosevelt, the American bison could have become extinct. Hunted to the edge of annihilation, by the early 20th century only a few small herds remained. In 1956, 29 bison were brought from Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge in Nebraska and released in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Here they roam freely on 46,000 acres and number in the hundreds. Photo by National Park Service.

Sometimes the most fleeting of sunrises are the most beautiful. Crystal Brindle captured this stunner near Bowen Pass at North Cascades National Park in Washington. It was her last sunrise as a ranger in the park’s backcountry. It was definitely a memory that’ll last a lifetime. Photo courtesy of Crystal Brindle.

We’re celebrating National Get Outdoors Day with this beautiful pic from Rae Lakes Loop – one of the most popular hikes at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California. The trail is 41.4 miles long and climbs more than 6,000 feet. Along the way, you can see canyons, high alpine lakes and breathtaking vistas. Photo by Vivek Vijaykumar (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Spring green joins nature’s vibrant palette at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado. Late spring is one of the more visually stunning times of the year at the park, when aspen and cottonwoods show bright new leaves, Medano Creek is flowing and the mountains are still snowcapped. The unexpected combination of these diverse elements brings a response of awe, along with a desire to share the experience with others. Photo by Patrick Myers, National Park Service.

Oceans are vital to wildlife and our planet. Containing 99 percent of the living space on earth, oceans are vast habitats for an impressive array of life. To celebrate World Ocean Day, we’re sharing this remarkable picture of bioluminescent plankton near Haystack Rock at Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge. From moments like this to surfing, sailing, fishing and diving, oceans are essential to our lives, economy and natural understanding. Photo courtesy of Jeff Berkes.

The Bruneau River in Idaho flows through a deep, wild and remote desert canyon and abuts several Bureau of Land Management wilderness areas. Forty miles of the Bruneau are designated as a wild and scenic river, offering challenging whitewater, evidence of thousands of years of Native American habitation and amazing geologic history. It also looks really cool. Photo by Bureau of Land Management – Idaho (@mypubliclands).

Morning fog fills the valley at Grandview in New River Gorge National River in West Virginia. From 1,400 feet above the river, you can look down on the clouds and enjoy sweeping views of mountains and forests. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, which runs through this ancient and gorgeous landscape. Photo by Zach Locks (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

June is National Oceans Month! Covering over 70 percent of the planet, oceans are vital to our climate, food supply and way of life. Wherever you live, everyone is connected to the ocean. Interior is a principal steward of America’s oceans, Great Lakes and coastal resources. With 88 ocean and coastal parks and 183 marine and coastal national wildlife refuges, there are countless ways to experience our country’s waters, marvel at its unique wildlife and explore its maritime heritage. Photo of a whale breaching at Kenai Fjords National Park by Kaitlin Thoreson, National Park Service.

Among one of the most inspiring vistas in the world, Tunnel View provides a perfect sunrise view of Yosemite National Park in California. From here you can see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall rising from Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome in the background. This view gets its name from its location at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel. If you haven’t seen it for yourselves, put it on your bucketlist now. Photo by David Laurence Sharp (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

It’s National Trails Day, so lace up the shoes, invite some friends, and #FindYourWay on the nearly 60,000 miles of trails that honor our country’s diverse landscape and history. One of the first in the National Trails System, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 2,180 mile long footpath that stretches from central Maine to northern Georgia. The trail traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. It’s great for a short day hike or thru-hiking the entire length – either way you’ll enjoy some spectacular scenery. Check out more great trails: https://on.doi.gov/USATrails

Photo from Mcafee Knob on the AT in Virginia by Nathan Farber (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).