Recent Stories
Hurricane leaves mark on Big Cypress
OCHOPEE, Fla. —Sept. 10, 2017, was the dreadful day that Hurricane Irma made landfall in South Florida. It is seven months since the hurricane, but its unexpected route through Florida and the damage that came with it are impossible to forget. One of the many areas that were affected wasRead More…
Everglades works on diversity dilemma
FLORIDA CITY, Fla. — There is a slight buzz hanging in the dirk baked, humid South Florida air. There are no houses in sight, no buildings period. Mangroves tangle into each other, sawgrass sits soaked in water. A group of students, uniform in Miami Shores Elementary t-shirts and the remnantsRead More…
Camping for a honeymoon at Joshua Tree
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Camping is one of the best ways to embrace Joshua Tree National Park, easily reachable from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas. The higher and cooler Mojave Desert is the special habitat of Joshua tree, whose scientific name is Yucca Brevifolia. Combined with giant boulders andRead More…
Everglades, an alligator, crocodile paradise
COOPERTOWN, Fla – Established in 1974, Everglades National Park continues to be a monumental environmental staple. Located in the South Florida, the calm-moving shallow water is known for its protected ecosystem and wildlife. Beginning near Orlando and extending across to the southern tip of the Florida peninsula, the Everglades isRead More…
Biscayne: Watery wonderland under siege
HOMESTEAD, Fla. —The clear waters of Biscayne National Park reflected back a prism of greens and blues. Looking out into the vast area that separated the mainland from the Florida Keys, the steady hum of the boat taking passengers to Boca Chita sped along. The ornamental lighthouse at Boca ChitaRead More…
Art takes charge each fall in Zion park
SPRINGDALE, Utah — Dramatic landscapes have inspired great art around the world. The unique scenery of America’s national parks, such as Zion National Park located near here, is no exception. National parks and great artists always have a special relationship. Artists have long painted and photographed the beautiful scenery andRead More…
Kayaking offers a scenic arm workout
HOMESTEAD, Fla.— As a child, my dislike of nature was apparent— so apparent that my mother sent me to summer camp at a local park where I learned about leaves and bugs and dirt. Every Friday, our camp counselors would bring out the kayaks and canoes to give us lessons,Read More…
Glades’ bike trail provides gator adventure
SHARK VALLEY, Fla. — As soon as I passed the Miccosukee Resort and Casino at SW 177th Avenue on U.S. 41, I knew I had entered new territory. The 20-mile drive encompassed a beautiful untouched landscape with an unsettling, impression that left me feeling like Dorothy in “The Wizard ofRead More…
Confluence conflict: Protect or develop?
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Turquoise water kisses murky, emerald water and the sun scorches the canyon’s abyss. The only audible sound is the rush of the two rivers colliding, the hum of nature in the secluded depths of the Grand Canyon. This meeting place about 90 miles north of here, whereRead More…
The ‘ultimate kiss’ tells immigrants’ story
“I remember holding in my tears as I climbed the staircase but as soon as I saw him I just knew…. I like to compare it to the big scene; like at the end of those romance films that moment where she runs to him and they kiss. The kissRead More…
Everglades City boasts fresh, tasty seafood
EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. – In the wintertime, thousands of tourists swarm Everglades National Park for a dose of greenery, wildlife and outdoor beauty. As South Florida is known for its desirable temperatures this time of year, which often hover around 75 degrees, a journey through Florida’s swampland is a welcomedRead More…
Canyon educates visitors about erosion
GRAND CANYON VILLAGE, Ariz.—The sun crept over the horizon and the rocks were flashing shades of crimson, mud and blush. Perfectly constructed layers of stone stacked upon one another, built up the walls of the canyon. It was a crevice 18 miles wide, more than one mile deep and 277Read More…