Constitution Gardens long has been a focal point of the National Mall, in Washington, D.C., but it also long has suffered from lack of proper maintenance. An ambitious campaign mounted by the Trust for the National Mall aims to revitalize the Gardens, though it won't happen overnight.

An elephant that attacked a vehicle in Kruger National Park in South Africa late last month was put down because it posed a risk to other park visitors, park officials said.

Visitors and residents are drawn to Hawaii for many reasons, but the chance to see and help count humpback whales may not be one that comes immediately to mind. On three Saturdays this winter, volunteers are encouraged to help in an annual project at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and others sites around the islands to monitor and count these impressive mammals.

Here's a little advance warning for a photo op -- good weather prevailing, of course -- for Tumacácori National Historical Park in Arizona. Artists and photographers looking for a chance to capture the magical light of early morning at Tumacácori can set aside two days in the coming months.