
Recent Essays
There are countless Native American cultural sites for visitors to explore in the Pacific Northwest. Here are some of the best.
Discover national parks that celebrate American Latino heritage, a community whose stories and culture are woven into the fabric of America.
"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" The line is not a call to action, but a call to inaction. A call to be free.
Play: it's not just for kids--it's for adults, too. Research shows that play combats depression. Discover ways to add play to your life.
When nature calls: National parks are being overwhelmed with human waste. Here are the reasons why and how not to be a part of the problem.
"You can't climb on her!" a child called out. The forest giants of Bernheim Forest are so realistic they entrance the child in all of us.
Five reasons to be hopeful about climate change--the global outlook for climate action is no longer doom and gloom and here's why.
How to talk to climate change deniers about climate change, including reasons to hope and when to give up and move on.
Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage is celebrated in America's national parks. Here are three such parks, and links to many more.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park is one of two parks within the NPS devoted to sharing the life story of Harriet Tubman.
Try our Park of the Month Newsletter!
Our newsletter is switching from weekly to monthly. Same great park info and updates on recent essays, now with fewer emails cluttering your inbox. Learn more.
No spam, just a new park treat for you each month. Sign up below for the free newsletter.
Popular Essays
Interested in US national parks? What about living a wild life? Get started with these popular essays.
Want more? Peruse an archive of All Essays.

Stephanie McCullough
A former US national park ranger with a master’s degree in environmental education and interpretation, I created The Ranger Desk to share my passion for national parks and the natural world.