With the sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War upon us, a firm understanding what was at the root of the war between the states is key, and the National Park Service has provided that primer in an award-winning publication, Slavery: Cause and Catalyst of the Civil War.

You could look upon the small card as the 2012 annual pass for Glacier National Park, but you also could look upon it as a work of art.

The National Park Service and the Murie Science and Learning Center are seeking applicants for two research fellowships that are available to individuals wishing to conduct research in Denali National Park and Preserve and other arctic and subarctic Alaska national parks.

A $10,000 grant from REI to Friends of the Smokies will make it a little bit easier for the friends group to improve trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.