Since 2017, the National Park Service has redoubled its efforts to work with states in the West to contain quagga mussels through the Safeguarding the West from Invasive Mussels initiative. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, and in early January 2019 the Colorado River Fish and Wildlife Council sent a letter to the Department of the Interior recognizing specific National Park Servicestaff and parks for their tireless efforts to manage aquatic invasive species.

A federal appellate court, holding that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should have prepared an environmental impact statement on a project to erect a 7-mile-long line of transmission towers through the James River near Historic Jamestowne, on Friday ordered the permit for the project to be withdrawn.

Olympic National Park encompasses scenery ranging from rugged beaches to temperate rainforests to craggy peaks. Contributing photographer and writer Rebecca Latson traveled to this large national park in January during the latter part of the most recent government shutdown for a little winter photography. Although seasonal road closures as well as storm damage, snow buildup, and lack of personnel during the shutdown kept Rebecca from seeing everything she wanted, the images she captured and the photo tips she provides should whet your own photographic appetite for a visit to this national park any time of the year.

Best efforts to get the USS Arizona Memorial reopened to the public in March have failed, with no specific date to get the repair work completed.