A beautiful, multi-million-dollar restoration of an early 20th century mansion that had been rotting away in places has landed the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the National Park Service the 2022 Public Lands Partner Award from the Public Lands Alliance.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host the annual synchronous firefly viewing opportunity at Elkmont beginning Friday, June 3 through Friday, June 10. The public may apply for the limited viewing opportunity by entering a lottery for a vehicle pass through www.recreation.gov. The lottery opens for vehicle pass applications on Friday, April 29, at 10 a.m. through Tuesday, May 3, at 10 a.m. All applications, regardless of the time or date of entry, are considered equally in the pool of lottery applicants.

Shad, which writer John McPhee dubbed the "founding fish" in his book of the same name, are completing their annual migration up the Delaware River from the Atlantic Ocean.

The National Park Service and the state of Idaho will share a new visitor center opening this week to help travelers heading to either Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument or Thousand Springs State Park.