Feature Stories

It’s that time of year when wildfire activity is increasing across the country. Have you heard of the Bear Fire, Campbell Fire, or the Blakes Fire? Most likely not because the quick response by

What is green and gold, sports a collar, has four legs but runs on two? It’s not a riddle. Some have called it a “mountain boomer,” but it is actually an eastern collared lizard. Thanks to intentional

August is a uniquely special month for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. This is because two very important birthdays are celebrated. The first, on Aug. 9, is Smokey Bear’s birthday

*Listen to the audio documentary below or read the transcript (PDF, 123 KB) When it comes to detecting tree disease, observation is essential. And Martin MacKenzie – a forest pathologist with the USDA

Out of thousands of trees, only one gets selected and named the People’s Tree each year. The Monongahela National Forest, however, has a special history with the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, as it was

“Okay… who didn’t bring a hand tool?” The man asking is Adam Stoldal, a wildland firefighter assigned to the Heber-Kamas Ranger District in Northern Utah. This week, he is my unit instructor for basic

Lincoln County Montana is a beautiful place. Heavily forested, with the Cabinet Mountains as a backdrop, the vistas are what draw people here. Scattered through this forested landscape are small rural

The Forest Service is around 30,000 employees strong and requires a wide variety of professions to get the job done — to care for the land and serve people, that is. There are foresters, rangeland

When was the last time you felt truly present in the moment? No notifications. No emails. No to-do lists, errands to run, or chores to complete. Just you, the people you are with, and the sights

Repair of the Big Four Ice Caves Bridge has hikers back on solid footing to a popular destination in Washington’s North Cascades. After taking three years to secure funding, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie

With spear in hand and nets at the ready, Joseph Mwanga was 21 when he started making a living by poaching. His catch was a large salmon-like fish called mpasa ( Opsaridium microlepis ). In the early

Long before recorded history, in a place now referred to as the Klamath River Basin in Northern California, the Karuk Tribe thrived along the riverbanks. The Karuk have relied on the land and the

During summer, visitors are returning to the treasured trails that make Montana famous for its outdoor recreation. The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, arguably one of Montana’s greatest gems, is a

Most people are acquainted with honeybees and bumblebees and their importance in nature. There are 4,000 bee species in this country that pollinate 80 percent of all flowering plants, including more

Imagine planning your summer vacation to visit to one of your favorite outdoor places from your childhood. The fond memories of lakes and endless hiking trails. When you finally reach your destination