Escalante Ranch, about 4,012 acres south of Grand Junction, has been added to the Dominguez‑Escalante NCA. Most land will open to the public while about 900 acres remain under lease.

Raleigh plans a new indoor‑outdoor aquatic center at John Chavis Memorial Park with pools, a lazy river, a two‑story waterslide and public art under the 2022 parks bond.

Seattle Parks closed water at Matthews Beach after a contamination event; Seattle Public Utilities is responding and the beach will remain closed until April 4.

Wendell Park has been swarmed by mound‑building ants this spring; the town approved a funded baiting trial called Project Antenna to test targeted control while protecting people and pets.

A Facebook reel shows sharks swimming near the St. Johns County Ocean Pier in St. Augustine Beach. County officials and experts urge beachgoers to follow lifeguards and check updates.

After about a year and roughly $11 million in upgrades, Fritz Park will reopen in May with a splash pad, pump track, new playgrounds and expanded trails.

Fort Bliss will convert part of Underwood Golf Course into a tournament-ready youth sports park with 10 turf fields and family amenities, officials say. The plan aims to keep weekend tournaments local and boost jobs.

The U.S. Forest Service has placed the Pike-San Isabel National Forests and the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands under Stage 1 fire restrictions through Aug. 1, tightening rules on campfires and smoking.

CAL FIRE opened a $13.5M Aliso Canyon Green Schoolyard grant round for Porter Ranch–area schools; the portal opened April 1 and applications are due May 29.

A black bear wandered into a Fillmore neighborhood Wednesday and sheltered under an RV while wildlife teams responded and no injuries were reported.

Michigan DNR warns spring thaw could reveal widespread winterkill in shallow lakes after a bitter winter. Officials ask residents to report die-offs through Eyes in the Field.

River otters are turning up across Central Texas rivers, from San Marcos to San Antonio — a sign of cleaner water and more fish. Local managers are planning repairs to help wildlife move freely.

A fungal outbreak has sidelined the Denver Botanic Gardens' annual tulip display; horticulturists plan to replant bulbs in fall 2028 for blooms in spring 2029.