Climate change with its warmer and drier seasons appears to be responsible for a decline in large-diameter trees across much of Yosemite National Park, according to a recently released study.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore authorities are trying to determine who removed fencing that had been set up to protect a sea turtle's nest not far from Rodanthe. Rangers say it doesn't appear as if the nest was disturbed. Not only did they again fence the site, but they expanded the area protected as required under a court-ordered consent decree pertaining to beach access.

A wildfire has forced Zion National Park officials to block public access to the Kolob Canyons area of the park. The so-called Cliff Fire was touched off by a lightning strike Tuesday night.

Designs for a new visitor center as well as an "exhibit hall" that would both protect and display a cliffside studded with fossils have been released by Dinosaur National Monument officials, who now must find companies that can build the two facilities.