Food chains in alpine lakes in parks such as Lassen Volcanic National Park and changing fire regimes at Rocky Mountain parks such as Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton, and Rocky Mountain, are among the climate-change studies under way in the park system.

China and the United States might have some differences over trade and monetary policies, but the two countries' park systems see eye to eye. Proof of that came earlier this month when officials from Grand Canyon National Park and Yuntaishan World Geopark renewed their Sister Park Agreement.

Follow the country roads south through West Virginia and you'll come upon the New River Gorge National River. As one of the oldest rivers on the continent, this white-water river that cuts through the Mountain State offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunity for people of all ages.

Will the Revisiting Leopold report that aims to move the National Park Service into a new direction with natural resources management succeed, or become yet another dusty report in some back room? Those closest to the report believe the vision it charts can, and will, be achieved.