Science conducted in parks can lead to significant findings and discoveries. Here are just a few examples.
Research Highlights
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White Sands National ParkFossilized FootprintsFossilized footprints show humans hunting giant sloths.
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National Fossil Day 2021Fossil Footprints Across Our ParksTake a virtual guided hike through time and parks to retrace ancient footprints.
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Denali National Park & PreserveMuldrow Glacier SurgeScientists have been anticipating the present surge for a while now, but no one knew exactly when it would happen. See what we are learning.
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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park20 Years of White Pine ResearchWhite pines have important ecological roles, but they are facing severe challenges. Check out what we've learned after 20 years of study.
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Southwest AlaskaMarine Heatwaves are Changing Ocean LifeWhen a massive seabird die-off coincided with an extreme marine heatwave, we knew the ocean ecosystem had dramatically changed.
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Northern Colorado Plateau NetworkWhat We're Learning, Why It MattersWith more than ten years of data for some natural resources, we’ve learned key things about the systems we study.
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Northern Colorado Plateau NetworkMonitoring from SpaceScientists cover thousands of miles with "boots-on-the-ground" data collection. They cover the rest with satellites.
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Pinyon-Juniper WoodlandsEcosystem Drivers and DisturbancesDrought, insects, and disease are affecting pinyon-juniper woodlands, which cover over 100 million acres in the American Southwest.
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Great Sand Dunes National ParkThe Fate of Rain and SnowWe use an old tool—water balance—in new ways to better understand how vegetation, stream flow, and wildfire ignitions respond to climate.
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Bering Land Bridge National PreserveLost Arctic LakesLearn why Arctic lakes are draining and what that means for birds, like the yellow-billed loon.
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Mammoth Cave National ParkAncient Shark FossilsAt least 40 different species of sharks and their relatives have been identified, including 6 new species.
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Wrangell-St Elias Nat'l Park & PresWhy Glaciers CollapseMore than a quarter-mile section of the Flat Creek Glacier broke off and sent ice, rock, and water sliding nearly 7 miles down valley.
Last updated: October 12, 2021