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From the Editor
New Year, New Tech, and New Lessons from History
We start the year off with lots of new things. New technology. A new section devoted to quick reads. And in the spirit of Auld Lang Syne, we gain striking new insights from the past. We also release an inspiring episode of the Park Science Podcast.
Podcasts
NPS
Podcast | Global Connections
How America's "Best Idea" Went Global
The idea of national parks, which historian Wallace Stegner called "the best idea we ever had," is also one of America's most influential exports! Jon Putnam from the National Park Service's Office of International Affairs discusses why with hosts Bissmeyer and Gjesfjeld as he talks about the agency's global connections in science. This episode first aired in the summer 2022 issue of Park Science magazine as part of the retired "Park Science Celebrates!" podcast series (22 minutes).
By Kass Bissmeyer and Cortney Gjesfjeld
The Research Roundup
NPS / Neal Herbert
The Year in Review
Water Quality, Wildlife, Night Skies, and So Much More
National Park Service scientists publish the results of their work in many scholarly journals. Here’s a roundup of quick reads about some of what they accomplished this past year.
By the editorial staff of Park Science magazine
In Brief
NPS / K. Joly
News | Cruising Cams
The Great Video Reveal: Emerging Tech Tracks What Caribou Do
Caribou—a type of deer closely related to reindeer—are intimately connected to their Arctic environment, which is experiencing rapid climate change. These animals are notoriously hard to study, but new video camera collars put the spotlight on how they’re responding.
By Kyle Joly and Marie Lawrence
NPS / C. Aurrecoechea
News | Defogging Fog
Innovative System Measures Fog That Beloved Plants Need to Thrive
Fog is a critical but mysterious water source for native plants during hot, dry summers at Cabrillo National Monument. Researchers used new technology to uncover the park’s fog patterns, showing the best places to restore damaged habitat.
By Taro Katayama, Linh Anh Cat, and Lauren Pandori
Picture This
The stories behind extraordinary images and videos from the practice of park science
Remarkable, Boring Mussels
Freshwater mussels help keep waterways clean, but many species are at risk. Photo documentation is important in the work to rescue them.
Perspectives
NPS
Opinion | Communication
How Parks’ Popular Webpages Can Benefit the Climate Conversation
Many Americans are reluctant to talk with one another about climate change. This may have a chilling effect on addressing its impacts in and outside national parks. Online information and storytelling could encourage meaningful dialogue.
By Claire Baker
Features
NPS
"Ghost" Forests
One Way to See the Future of Alaska’s Unparalleled Forests: Look at Their Past
A surprising result in a natural climate change experiment inspires hope of a resilient future for Alaska’s old-growth, temperate rainforests.
By Ben Gaglioti
NPS
Visitation
New Research Shows Mobile Devices Are a Powerful Way to Learn about Visitors
U.S. national parks have long relied on question-based surveys to capture snapshots of who visitors are and what they like to do. Data from mobile devices provide a complementary, park-wide perspective not previously available.
By David Pettebone, Jake Jorgenson, and Pamela Ziesler
Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, National Child Labor Committee Collection / Lewis Wickes Hine
Interpreting Industrial History
3D Tech Puts Focus on Children’s World in Early Mills
Stories about history can change depending on who’s telling them. We used 3D imaging technology to share what life was like for young people who worked in textile mills in the early days of North American industry.
By Catherine G. Cooper and Allison Horrocks
Image courtesy of Jacob Ward
Harmful Algal Blooms
A New Way to Gauge Risk of Toxic Blooms in a National Park
Harmful algal blooms endanger drinking water sources and aquatic life but are notoriously hard to study and manage. We created a “scorecard” to assess the likelihood of toxic blooms. It can help water managers focus on the most effective actions.
By Rachel Fowler
NPS
Digital Do-Overs
Why Years of Bat Population Data Got a High-Tech Upgrade
Acadia National Park has one of the longest-running bat monitoring programs in the agency. A team of researchers modernized how the park processed its bat data. Now there are apps for that.
By Timothy Divoll, Bik Wheeler, and Molly Donlan
About This Issue
Last updated: January 21, 2025