An internal review of the circumstances that led up to the fatal shooting of a Mount Rainier National Park ranger on New Year's Day concluded that the incident could not have been prevented.

When backcountry violations where discovered in designated wilderness in Joshua Tree National Park, The Access Fund and Friends of Joshua Tree jumped into action to correct them.

Clouded sulfur? Mormon fritillary? Hoary comma? I had never heard of such intriguing creatures before last month, but the Rocky Mountain BioBlitz put me in close proximity to all three. No fear factor or injuries sustained. Just a stroll in a sub-alpine meadow in an effort to inventory butterflies.