Owen Hoffman has just returned from a trip across Kansas. He has provided us with a detailed trip report from his visit to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. The wide open skies and history of the area piqued his interest, but the interpretive program on-site left something to be desired.

Is the National Park Service preparing to charge us for the clean air in parks? Based on a recent survey request, in which the parks were seeking our "willingness to pay to improve visibility at national parks", and considering all of the other use-fees charged in the parks, I was ready to believe they were. The good news? I was wrong! Find out why.

Towering sand dunes that ripple across the heart of a 3.4-million-acre landscape, hidden canyons that echo with splashing, gurgling water that nourishes a surprising cache of lush vegetation, a human history of anguish as well as prosperity. The surreal landscape of Death Valley can be deadly hot in summer, and yet it is one of the more intriguing units of the national park system because of its stark beauty and demanding nature.

Anticipating the announcement of Park Service Centennial projects and programs today, the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees have released a statement which both celebrates the upcoming centennial, and cautions that new programs shouldn't overlook the core values which have made the park agency a success for 91 years.