In the far eastern reaches of Arizona, nestled in the pass between the Chiricahua and Dos Cabezas mountains, 20 miles or so from its border with New Mexico, sits the well-preserved remains of Fort Bowie, which was established as a National Historic Site in 1972. Apache Pass, and its year-round water supply, hosted Fort Bowie from 1861 to 1894 and was a key site in the decades-long battle against the Apache.

A company hired to conduct an archaeological survey in advance of a tree-planting project along the Natchez Trace Parkway not only proceeded before obtaining the requisite permits, but then took some Native American artifacts more than a century old, according to court action in the case.

When John Muir traveled in 1879 to the landscape now embraced by Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska, his great desire to see its bay and surrounding glaciers was confounded by overcast skies and rain with some snow mixed in. But when the weather took a change for the better, he was astounded by the view.

As much as we all enjoy visiting national parks for relaxation and to see amazing landscapes and wildlife, they also are a source for news: new species, flooding, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. And you should be able to follow that news, as you're an owner of the park system.