The Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico, along with five other @usfws refuges on the island, are considered to be the most important stopover for migratory birds between North and South America. Historically, almost half of the bird species recorded in Puerto Rico have been observed in the lagoon and the adjacent hills.

At just 160 square acres of land, Rainbow Bridge National Monument is one of the smallest units of the National Park Service. What it lacks in acreage it makes up for in size as one of the largest natural bridges in the world! Photo by Rosemary Polletta (http://sharetheexperience.com)

Swirling sandstone with smooth edges makes for a striking contrast in this remote section of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona. Home to extraordinary formations, this area, known as White Pocket, is only accessible by ATV’s or 4-wheel-drive vehicles. Please bring plenty of your own water, proper hiking footwear, and a #TeamPublicLands mindset, that will leave this place for others to enjoy. Photo by Jessica Fridrich (www.sharetheexperience.org)

Each spring, the energetic and playful bison calves or “red dogs” join the herd. Standing out with their bright reddish-orange coats, their bursts of energy are magical moments. They fill the fields with awkward jumps, uncoordinated sprints, and joyful reactions as they learn and grow. Pictured here is a newborn red dog with mom, just minutes old, fighting against a slight breeze in an attempt to hold itself up for the first time. Photo Yellowstone National Park by Taylor Albright (www.sharetheexperience.org).  

In a few short months, alpine wildflowers will be decorating the scene like this incredible shot of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington. Capturing dawn’s early light means rising well before the body wants to, but you’re rewarded with extreme quiet and time to enjoy the sunrise. Recreate responsibly Photo courtesy of Nathaniel Wise.

Whooo let the kids out? Whoo whoo whoo! A burrowing owl family at the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge in California emerges from their artificial burrow. The burrows, dug by volunteers and refuge staff, give the owls a perfect place to raise their families. Photo courtesy of Wendy Miller.  

When you’re known as “The Jewel of Lake Superior,” you have a lot to live up to.
Apostle Island National Lakeshore in Wisconsin features a combination of spectacular natural beauty and rich cultural history.  

The islands are a sacred homeland for the Ojibwe people who live throughout the Great Lakes region. According to their written and oral history, they are the original inhabitants of this area and consider Madeline Island an important part of their past and present day lives. The Ojibwe call Madeline Island “Moningwunakauning” or “Home of the golden-breasted woodpecker.” Photo by Michael DeWitt (www.sharetheexperience.org)

Known for its history, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area, Dry Tortugas National Park is an isolated gem surrounded by a wilderness of ocean.  

Dry Tortugas lies at the farthest end of the Florida Keys. The colorful corals, sea grass, and reef fish that call this watery wonderland home, are some of the most vibrant in the world. Photo by National Park Service  

A visit to the @mypubliclands areas of the Sierra Nevada in California can recharge the soul and awaken the senses. Writer Alice Walker said it best, “In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect.” Filled with lush wildflowers and picturesque mountains, the Sierras are nature’s perfection. Photo by Bob Wick Bureau of Land Management  

The night sky can be one of the most awe-inspiring views we will ever glimpse. Many people seek public lands to experience starry skies and dark nights. Let International Dark Sky Week inspire you to gaze into the vast universe this evening. Photo by @mypubliclands of Corona Arch in Utah.