Creation Covenant Alliance

Ways to Celebrate National Public Lands Day from Home

"Eight books and films that will transport you to some of America’s most iconic landscapes" - Explore America's public lands through captivating stories and breathtaking visuals.
Mountains in Glacier National Park serve as the backdrop for an alpine meadow

Eight Books and Films That Will Transport You to America’s Most Iconic Landscapes

Mountains in Glacier National Park serve as the backdrop for an alpine meadow

Glacier National Park. | Photo by Pascal Walschots

More than 640 million acres of land in the United States belong to the American public, including over 400 national parks, 560 national wildlife refuges, and 154 national forests. These lands are integral to the country’s landscape, identity, and culture, serving as places of recreation, wildlife protection, and climate change mitigation.

National Public Lands Day, started in 1994 and now led by the National Environmental Education Foundation, celebrates these landscapes with outdoor events and volunteer opportunities. This year, it falls on September 28, offering a chance to learn more about our shared lands, their histories, and futures.

While these lands are celebrated, they also have complex pasts and face threats from development and climate change. The following books and documentaries explore the stories of Indigenous peoples, battles over public lands, and the impacts of climate change. They also highlight the beauty and wonder of these spaces.

Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America by Megan Kate Nelson

Simon and Schuster, 2022

A grizzly standing in a Yellowstone meadow with mountains in the background

A grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park. | Photo Krista Taylor

Saving Yellowstone by historian Megan Kate Nelson explores the creation of America’s first national park during the Reconstruction era, focusing on figures like Lakota leader Sitting Bull, financier Jay Cooke, and explorer Ferdinand Hayden.

Understory: A Journey Through the Tongass

Mist rises from the forest in the Tongass National Forest

Tongass National Forest. | Photo by Carlos Rojas

The Tongass National Forest, the world’s largest temperate rainforest, faced logging threats in 2020. In response, local fisher Elsa Sebastian, biologist Natalie Dawson, and illustrator Mara Menahan documented the forest’s landscape and communities in the documentary Understory.

Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon by Melissa L. Sevigny

W.W. Norton, 2023

Aerial view of Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park. | Photo by Alan Majchrowicz

Brave the Wild River tells the story of botanists Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter, who in 1938 sailed down the Colorado River to catalog its flora, facing the challenges of female scientists in the 1930s.

The Song of Everything: A Poet’s Exploration of South Carolina’s State Parks by Glenis Redmond

Good Printed Things, 2024

A valley in Caesars Head State Park South Carolina

Caesars Head State Park, Blue Ridge Escarpment, Table Rock. | Photo by John Coletti

Poet Glenis Redmond visited 20 of South Carolina’s state parks with her grandson after receiving a cancer diagnosis, capturing the experience in her collection of poems, The Song of Everything.

This Land

Night sky in the Cascades with forest in the foreground

Hyatt Lake Recreation Area, Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Oregon. | Photo by Kyle Sullivan/BLM

In the This Land documentary, athlete Faith E. Briggs runs through national monuments, raising awareness about public lands and examining access issues. Briggs navigates her identity as a Black conservationist, aiming to show that everyone is welcome outdoors.

The Melting World: A Journey Across America’s Vanishing Glaciers by Christopher White

St. Martin’s Press (MacMillan), 2013

Mountains in Glacier National Park serve as the backdrop for an alpine meadow

Glacier National Park. | Photo by Pascal Walschots

Christopher White’s The Melting World documents the rapid melting of Montana’s glaciers, capturing the impact of climate change on Glacier National Park through the work of climate scientist Dan Fagre.

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey by Derick Lugo

Appalachian Mountain Club, 2019

Autumn sunrise in Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park. | Photo by John Baggaley

Derick Lugo’s memoir, The Unlikely Thru-Hiker, recounts his journey on the Appalachian Trail, addressing race and the outdoors while sharing his experiences and lessons learned.

Gladesmen: The Last of the Sawgrass Cowboys

Everglades National Park at Sunset

Everglades National Park. | Photo by James Keith

The Gladesmen documentary explores the tension between conservation efforts and airboating communities in the Florida Everglades, highlighting the complexities of protecting fragile ecosystems while respecting local traditions.

More stories about:

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America’s National Parks
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Original Story at www.sierraclub.org

Trending News

Mississippi River Faces Persistent Saltwater Intrusion, Region Seeks Long-Term Solutions



For the third consecutive year, the Mississippi River is experiencing significant saltwater intrusion, prompting local communities and environmental experts to search for sustainable solutions. This recurring issue arises as the river’s flow decreases, allowing saltwater to move upstream and threaten drinking water supplies. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actively involved in addressing this problem, employing temporary measures like saltwater barriers to mitigate the impact on affected areas.



Saltwater infiltration poses serious risks to public health and agriculture, as freshwater sources become compromised. The situation is exacerbated by prolonged periods of drought, which have reduced freshwater flow in the Mississippi River. According to the National Weather Service, drought conditions have worsened due to climate change, increasing the frequency and severity of saltwater intrusion events.



Local authorities are collaborating with federal agencies to explore permanent solutions. Among the proposed strategies are enhanced levee systems and improved water management techniques. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating the feasibility of long-term infrastructure projects to prevent further saltwater encroachment. Additionally, community leaders are advocating for increased funding to support these initiatives and safeguard the region’s water resources.



The impact of saltwater intrusion extends beyond drinking water concerns, affecting local ecosystems and agricultural productivity. Farmers in the region have reported crop damage due to elevated salinity levels in irrigation water. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is working with farmers to implement adaptive practices, such as planting salt-tolerant crops and improving soil management techniques.



As the Mississippi River continues to face challenges from saltwater intrusion, stakeholders emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts and innovative solutions. The ongoing threat underscores the need for comprehensive planning and investment to protect one of America’s most vital waterways from the impacts of climate change and environmental stressors.

November 19, 2024



Environmental activists have raised concerns over the fossil fuel sector’s significant impact on COP29, the latest United Nations Climate Change Conference. Activists argue that the industry’s presence diverts focus from critical climate actions.



The conference, designed to promote global climate agreements, faces criticism for allowing fossil fuel companies to participate extensively. Environmental groups claim these companies undermine efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy sources.



According to Climate Action Network, fossil fuel representatives have increased their lobbying activities, aiming to weaken climate policies. These industries allegedly influence negotiations, leading to watered-down commitments that fail to address the urgency of climate change effectively.



Experts suggest that the influence of these companies stems from financial contributions and longstanding relationships with decision-makers. Critics argue that this affects the conference’s ability to enforce meaningful climate change regulations.



During the event, several protests highlighted the need for transparency and a stronger focus on sustainable energy solutions. Activists are calling for increased participation of renewable energy stakeholders in future conferences.



The controversy surrounding fossil fuel involvement at COP29 underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing industrial interests with the global imperative to combat climate change.



November 19, 2024