Forests of tall saguaro cacti. Gila monsters and rattlesnakes. Javelinas. Both Sonoran desert and mixed conifer forest that climbs to more than 8,500 feet. That's a quick glimpse of what you'll find within Saguaro National Park in far south Arizona. And those are just some aspects of the park that Friends of Saguaro works to protect.

It was a beautiful late summer evening, and my family and I had spent the day hiking in Badlands National Park. As the setting sun cast a golden glow on the park’s signature peaks and plateaus, my family and I pulled into a nearby guest ranch, where we had booked a cabin for the night.

Legislation written with the intent of bolstering homeland security wouldn't succeed at that, but could trample national park lands and other federal acreage, according to critics.

Saguaro National Park has a great idea for helping kids learn about—and be more comfortable in—the out-of-doors. For three days later this month, young people ages 10 to 14 can participate in a three-day "Wilderness Exploration Day Camp" at the park, and the staff has scheduled the event to coincide with a scheduled holiday in the local school's calendar.