The "leash law" for pets in national parks is intended to protect pets, wildlife and park visitors, but even following the letter of the law can occasionally have an unexpected outcome. Perhaps that's even more likely to be true when the situation involves a cat on a leash.

Regardless of whether you believe climate change is being driven by human causes, efforts to see a reduction in greenhouse gases and other pollutants can only benefit society. To help you reduce your own "carbon footprint," the National Parks Conservation Association is launching a public awareness campaign.

What beats a family weekend at a national park? Getting $100 knocked off the price tag of that weekend. And that's the Earth Day present being offered today by the North Cascades Institute.