A ruling on off-road vehicle access at Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida supports the park's expansion of ORV routes in lands eligible for wilderness designation and that serve as habitat for endangered and threatened species is seen by some as chipping away at the longstanding mandate that the National Park Service prioritize preservation over recreation.

As part of its backcountry access plan, Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida will also conduct a wilderness eligibility assessment for lands within the original boundaries of the preserve.

Winter might seem too cold to set outside to star gaze, but it's the perfect season at Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida, where special astronomy programs are on tap in the coming months.

More evidence of the value of national park friends groups can be seen in Florida, where the South Florida National Parks Trust is underwriting environmental education programs, ranger-guided tours, and resource protection projects in the parks.