Shenandoah National Park rises above the Virginia Piedmont to its east and the Shenandoah Valley to its west. Two peaks, Stony Man and Hawksbill, exceed 4,000 feet. The range of elevation, rocks, soils, precipitation and latitude create a mix of habitats. Tens of thousands of living creatures make their homes in the park, from black bear resting beneath rock overhangs to tiny aquatic insects darting through cool mountain streams. Take your time and explore the deep forests and rugged mountaintops on your next adventure. Photo by National Park Service. 

With a heavy heart, we say farewell to our director of social media, Rebecca. For the past 4 years, she has helped shape Interior’s digital voice, built a passionate public lands online community and written a great deal of the inspiring content you’ve enjoyed here. We wish her success in all her future endeavors. Thank you. Photo of a momma bear at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska by Kevin Dietrich (www.sharetheexperience.org).

These three bear cubs play in the sand at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska while their mom digs for clams nearby. On the southern end of the park’s Cook Inlet coast, Chinitna Bay offers world-class bear viewing, where as many as 20 coastal brown bears search for food. An incredible experience, bear viewing should be done carefully and responsibly. Stay in groups, keep a safe distance and never try to feed these wild animals. Photo by K. Ilgunas, National Park Service.

Life is better with friends. Just ask these two bear cubs playing leapfrog at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Be sure to thank your friends today and tell them how much they mean to you. Friends Day Photo by Hunt Karen (www.sharetheexperience.org).

When most people envision Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, they think of bears. Katmai is one of the premier brown bear viewing areas in the world with over 2,200 brown bears estimated to live in the park. Every summer, many bears gather at Brooks Falls to fish for salmon and pack on the pounds before winter arrives. It’s also a great chance for young bears to learn how to fish from their mothers. Photo by Mark Burnley (www.sharetheexperience.org).

When temperatures warm up and food is available, brown bears slowly begin to leave their dens. After 4-5 months of sleep and limited activity, male bears emerge first, usually from early to mid-March, followed by solitary females and females with yearlings or two year olds. The last to leave their dens are females with newborn cubs. Spring greens and winter carrion are first on the menu for these hungry bears. Photo of brown bears from Alaska’s Katmai National Park & Preserve by Gavin Danapong (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Fall at Denali National Park in Alaska means gorgeous autumn colors and hungry brown bears. To get ready their long winter sleep, bears spend the summer and fall packing on the pounds – gorging themselves on salmon, berries and grass. Sleeping snugly in their dens, breathing only once a minute and dropping their heart rate to 8-10 beats a minute, bears will live on their fat stores during the dark, cold winter. Photo by Jacob W. Frank, National Park Service.

Katmai National Park & Preserve in Alaska provides some of the few remaining unaltered habitats for bears. With about 2,200 brown bears in the park, scientists are able to study bears in their natural habitat, visitors are able to enjoy unparalleled viewing opportunities (from safe distances) and the bears are able to continue their life cycle largely undisturbed. Photo by Mike Clime (www.sharetheexperience.org).

There are few things stronger than the bond between a mother and her children. From the mighty muskox to the clever fox, nature continues to give us powerful examples of this unbreakable connection. So from all the kits, kids, chicks, calves and cubs, we wish all the moms out there a Happy Mother’s Day! Photo of a mama bear and cubs at Katmai National Park in Alaska by Andrew Sentipal (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Nothing beats spotting wildlife in the great outdoors, but just because you’re stuck inside doesn’t mean you can’t join in on the adventure. Some of the best wildlife cams are on America’s public lands, places that Interior works every day to protect for future generations. 

Check out four amazing wildlife cams – they’re sure to keep you riveted!