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.

Entrance fees revenues across the National Park System dipped slight in 2010 compared to 2009, although National Park Service officials aren't sure what was behind the decline.