The soft glow of luminarias will guide visitors through some of the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park on December 5 when the park holds its Holiday Open House.

Bottled-up genetics lead to problems, as evidenced by the inbreeding woes of the wolves at Isle Royale National Park. Though mountain lions that roam Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area aren't as inbred as those wolves, the lack of genetic diversity is a growing concern.

Yellowstone National Park officials are proposing some changes to their outfitted pack trip regulations. Some would allow park officials to close areas of the backcountry to stock use if impacts are great.

A ranger who worked with Native American tribes with ties to the Natchez Trace to create interpretive programs has been honored by the National Park Service for interpretive excellence.