Leading up to the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service back in 2016, there was much discussion about the future of the parks. Perhaps the hallmark was the Second Century Commission's report, prepared following a year of listening sessions, professional input, and discussion. Within its outline for strengthening the Park Service and the national parks in the 21st century were recommendations for better conservation of park resources, both natural and cultural. A decade later, the Park Service remains strapped for funds, overworked, and struggling in some places to manage crowds that impact natural resources and stress staff.

The arch at Gateway Arch National Park will be fading into darkness once the sun goes down through May 14 so as not to confuse birds on their spring migration.

A federal court, noting that National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration have failed for 19 years to develop air tour management plans for national parks, on Friday ordered the agencies to get the work done.

As part of the National Park Service’s response to the novel coronavirus, wildland fire staff across the country are getting ready for the upcoming fire season. This summer will be different, presenting a new set of challenges to firefighters as this global pandemic has reshaped how people interact, gather, travel, and work. The NPS Alpine Hotshot Crew, like all wildland firefighters, are looking for innovative ways to mitigate the risk of exposure to firefighters while continuing to provide their essential public service this summer.