Funding deficiencies are hamstringing the staff at Lassen Volcanic National Park by preventing them from adequately protecting the park's natural and cultural resources, according to the Center for State of the Parks.

Orange will be highly visible in Great Smoky Mountains National Park early next year, as road work ramps up around the park thanks to an infusion of funds via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as well as the Federal Lands Highway Program. While that work will produce some long-needed improvements, it also means getting around the park could be difficult at times.

The National Park Service employs men and women in some unusual and challenging positions, but one that's a good contender for the title of "most unique job in the system" is currently open at Denali National Park and Preserve.

In the fall of 1941 the Tower made the headlines of the nation's leading newspapers. This was brought about through the fool-hardy stunt of a professional parachutist named George Hopkins. Without the consent or knowledge of National Park Service officials, Hopkins, who held a number of United States and world's records for spectacular jumps, on October 1 parachuted from an airplane to the top of the Tower.