National Park Service

For years, women's park uniforms varied widely and tended to follow fashion trends of the time. In the late 1970s, the National Park Service authorized women to wear the same green and gray, in all of its configurations, as their male counterparts. Learn more about the evolution of the park uniform at https://lnkd.in/dXx9ufuE Image: Illustration showing four women wearing historical, green uniforms with text, “forgot it was St. Patrick’s Day, wore green anyway.” #WomensHistoryMonth #StPatricksDay ☘️

Still buffering.....🦬 Let’s talk about the bison in the room. Are bison really nearsighted? Let’s dig in. So, bison eyesight is more adapted for detecting movement and spotting predators at a distance rather than focusing on fine details up close. Does that mean they won’t notice you sauntering on over in that ugly sweater to test their fluffiness? Don’t count on it. Their smell and hearing are so sharp they’d sniff out your bad judgment (and sweater) before you even get within arm’s reach and remember, these fuzzy tanks tip the scales at up to 2,000 pounds and can sprint 35 mph faster than you can yell, “I regret my life choices.” So, in conclusion, bison may be a little short-sighted up close, but not in their reasoning for knocking you down a peg or two (or over a cliff) if you get in the way. Maybe just wave from a safe distance. P.S. For those wondering if this bison is just reading the fine print on this information wayside, that is a possibility, however, we don’t claim to know this bison’s reading level or specific interests in regards to this sign. It also may be taking a standing nap (it happens) or using the sign to scratch an itch. Alas, all good topics for a future post. Thanks for reading this far. We hope it was worth it. If not, why are you still reading. We’ll keep it going and we’re buffering…. Image: A bison with face pressed up close to an informative wayside at @windcavenps, SD.

Women's history is full of amazing stories of both ordinary and extraordinary people. Every March during #WomensHistoryMonth and throughout the year, the National Park Service and our partners commemorate the role of women in American history. Visit any of the more than 400 national parks across the country, including Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument, Women's Rights National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, Lowell National Historical Park, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site and others to learn about and reflect on women's contributions of past and present. https://lnkd.in/gkA7fZAG Image: A graphic of a woman in profile wearing a National Parks Service hat. Lines of text in the background include the names of famous and significant American women connected to national parks and the words National Park Service.

When you reappear in people’s lives after inexplicably disappearing for several months... In a couple of weeks, the bears at Katmai National Park & Preserve will emerge from their dens thinner and ready to embark on a more active lifestyle as they shift their physiology from one of energy conservation to being ready to meet the demands of a new year. If you've ever seen a bear in the wild, or looking through your window, you likely remember exactly where and when you saw it. Were you excited? Nervous? Awe-struck? Did you make eye contact? National parks provide an important refuge for bears. Learn more about the bears you may see at: https://lnkd.in/eVtV2B-d Image: A bear looking in from the outside through a window with the text, “When you reappear in people’s lives after inexplicably disappearing for several months.”

The sunset is life’s way of saying, “Good job. You survived today. Here’s something pretty.” That’s it. Enjoy. Image: A sunset at Schwabacher Landing with the mountains reflecting on the water at Grand Teton National Park, WY. NPS/J. Koeppel

Recharging in your burrow after consecutive days of social interaction… Find the pika! That’s a rock. Hint, it’s next to the rock. Remember, staying home is doing something, and managing your energy is a favor to yourself and everyone around you. Pika (Ochotona princeps) are particularly good at recharging their social batteries. They love a rocky slope and will often choose a burrow in the crack between rocks. In addition to providing protection from predators, Mondays, and work emails, these burrows serve as a winter food pantry. During the summer, the pika collect leaves and grasses and fill up the space. Come winter, they have plenty of snacks to pika chew on. Rock on. Image: A pika sits amongst various rocks at Mount Rainier National Park. NPS/E. Brouwer

At the National Park Service, we're not just preserving the past; we're shaping the future. National Park engineers are the driving force behind this mission, using their ingenuity and expertise to create a more sustainable, accessible, and enjoyable experience for millions of visitors each year. This #EngineersWeek, we celebrate the limitless possibilities of engineering and the remarkable work of our talented professionals. From preserving fragile ecosystems to restoring iconic landmarks, our engineers are finding innovative solutions to the complex challenges facing our parks today. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/eEDmYCcw Image: An engineering marvel, the New River Gorge Bridge is a steel arch bridge 3,030 feet (924 m) long maintained over the New River Gorge in West Virginia at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Photo by Gary Hartley

E-l-g-s-e-s, sorry, eagles are large, powerfully built birds, with heavy heads and beaks. Among eagles are some of the largest birds of prey. In fact, the bald eagle is the second largest flying bird found in North America, with only the California Condor having a larger wingspan. Contrary to its name, the Bald eagle is not bald but has a distinctive white, feathered head. Glad we could clear that up. Fun fact: The bald eagle has long been a symbol of the United States since its founding. Many probably assumed that meant it was also the national bird. Well, not quite. It took 248 years, but the bald eagle was officially designated the national bird in 2024. Learn more about birds and birding in national parks at: https://lnkd.in/ekfz22Nr Image: Bald Eagle in flight above water with fish in talons at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Touchdown! Fumble! That's a fowl! Foul? No, fowl. Just in time for the big game (what game?), or your next work video call, we've got you covered with a ready-made comment for every major play. Share for fun or just for the halibut. Or is that salmon? 🏈

“I’m going on an adventure!” - Bilbo Baggins Whether you’re headed to Mordor to destroy the One Ring, or looking to spend a few days close to the Shire, it’s never too early to plan your next park adventure. The best way to begin a park visit is with a trip to NPS.gov. You don’t even need to leave the hobbit hole. Head online and check out park websites for ideas about where to go, what to see, what to bring, what to do, and most important, what shoes to wear. Well, if shoes are your thing. Nice feet. Kinda hairy. So, whether embarking on a solo trip or organizing a fellowship (group trips can be fun), flexibility and a backup plan are key. Plan ahead for seasonal changes, road closures, orc encounters, dragons, first and second breakfast options, giant spiders, trolls, and where to park. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/etX5_bR Image: A park ranger looking up at a snow-covered mountain at Mount Rainier National Park. No dragons or talking trees visible. NPS/D. Robinson