News that the National Park Service wants to consider whether grizzly bears should be restored to the North Cascades ecosystem in Washington state is a big step towards bolstering the region's ecological integrity, but recent events surrounding the Endangered Species Act raises questions about whether the Park Service can succeed if it decides grizzly recovery is in the ecosystem's best interests.

A new concessions contract for businesses on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will cost the park $100 million, an amount that could impact just about all operations in the park, Superintendent Dave Uberuaga said Wednesday. In the long run, however, the move stands to benefit both the park and its visitors, observers believe.

If you find yourself in Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta this weekend, head to Cameron Lake on Friday night for a star show. Parks Canada and volunteer astronomers from Montana will be pointing out constellations, galaxies, nebulas and stars beginning at 9:30 p.m. Friday.

The Mount Brown Lookout Trail at Glacier National Park is a tough, demanding path, climbing more than 4,200 feet from Lake McDonald Lodge in just about five miles. And, as is most of Glacier, it rambles through bear country, a fact one hiker discovered when a bear charged him and he responded first with a blast from his canister of bear spray, and then with a shot from his handgun that rangers believe hit the bear.