Much has been written in recent years about the disconnect between the current generation of young people and the natural world, along with concerns that national parks are not seen as relevant by Americans from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Both issues aren't helped when field trips to parks and other off-site areas are often among the first casualties of tight school budgets. One solution is being provided by the National Park Foundation's "Ticket to Ride" grant program.

Once considered largely to be worthless, national parks today are economic engines that generate $26.5 billion for the nation's economy.

I write this from the south shore of Lake Superior, not far from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Two days ago, while casually birding the lakeshore, my wife Sarah spotted a Black-crowned Night-heron. That’s an extremely unusual bird to find as far north as the Superior shore.

Springtime is a great time to take photos in the national parks, but are you prepared for that task? Rebecca Latson has some suggestions for what you need to consider before heading off into the parks.