The recent debate over mule rides in Grand Canyon National Park has left park officials, who say they have to live within their budgets and the public's desires, strongly criticized by mule backers, who say trail impacts might be less of an issue if park managers were smarter with how they spend their money.

Aircraft have been used effectively for many years as an efficient way to monitor wildlife and other resources in parks, but a staff member at Biscayne National Park wondered if there might be a better way. The end result of this "trial balloon" was a literal one – a flight in a blimp.

The National Park Service is currently accepting applications for research fellowships in national parks and preserves in Alaska.

An outpouring of support earned the National Park Foundation nearly $365,000 from the Lowe's Charitable and Education Foundation through a Facebook campaign.