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Visit these national parks for free on August 4

By Ashley Pichea Wealth of Geeks In celebration of the Great American Outdoors Act anniversary, you can visit three National Park Service (NPS) sites in Michigan for free on August 4, 2023! Michigan is home to seven NPS sites: A national park, two national lakeshores, a national historic park, a scenic trail, a heritage area, and a battlefield park. While some attractions are free to visit all year, others have a daily admission fee. Every year, the National Park Service announces “fee-free” days when visitors can explore these parks at no cost. Over 400 national parks across ...

How to check air quality

NEW YORK (AP) — How can you check the air quality in your area and what do the numbers mean? The Environmental Protection Agency monitors the air around the country and compiles an air quality index, or AQI. Here’s what to know about the index and how to keep tabs on your area, especially in U.S. regions dealing with smoke from Canadian wildfires. What does the air quality index measure? The index rates how clean or polluted the air is each day. The EPA uses this measure to keep tabs on five kinds of air pollutants. The main concern from the wildfire smoke is fine particle ...

Tips for summer recreational safety

Newswire.com With summer here, it’s important to understand the safest ways to get some much-needed vitamin D in your system - especially when participating in recreational summer activities. While staying indoors throughout summer might be the safe and sound way to avoid the need for urgent care, we know this is no way to enjoy your summer vacation fully. Instead, look at our tips below to help you and your loved ones take in the vitamin D of summer while having fun and staying safe. Watch out for signs of dehydration When participating in activities, drinking water, and staying ...

​Aquatic Invasive Species have ecological impact

HARRISBURG — Aquatic invasive species (AIS) (also referred to as aquatic nuisance species or ANS) are aquatic animals and plants that have been introduced into waterways in which they do not live naturally and cause ecological impacts, economic impacts and/or harm to human health. This is in contrast to naturalized species, which are non-native but have reached an equilibrium with the ecosystems in which they occur. In addition to the banned species below, some of the least-wanted AIS in Pennsylvania are: New Zealand Mudsnail, Northern Snakehead, Sea Lamprey, Hydrilla, Spiny Water ...

Why sit in a cubicle when you can make the national parks your office?

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — Xanterra Travel Collection® ‘s “Help Wanted” sign is hanging at the national parks. Think of an ad that reads: Iconic scenery, interesting people from the world over, ideal for nature lovers, digital detox, the outdoors, and billions of stars at night. And wildlife, lots of wildlife. There is not only “room at the proverbial inn” this year in many of the national parks, such as Yellowstone, Zion, Glacier, Grand Canyon South Rim and Death Valley, but there is also the chance to have one of the coolest summer job experiences, working in or just ...

Great Lakes summer activities

Are you planning to spend your summer on one of the Great Lakes? Or maybe your goal is to visit all five? Whether you want to spend the summer lounging on the beach with a good book or fishing the deep waters of the Great Lakes, there is no shortage of fun in the sun. Camping Whether you have a tent or trailer, there is a wide range of beautiful beachfront camping spots on the Great Lakes. During the day, enjoy all that the beach and water have to offer. In the evening, sit in awe as you witness the stunning sunset over the glassy lake. Then fall asleep under a star-lit sky to the ...