There is a lot going on in the national parks this June. Join a butterfly count, fish with a ranger, or climb a lighthouse under the full moon. Whatever you do this June, get outdoors and enjoy America's parks.

June Butterfly Count - Congaree National Park, South Carolina

The public is invited to learn more about butterflies and help count them as part of a special citizen science program at Congaree National Park on Saturday, June 13.

This program is coordinated through the NPS Old-Growth Bottomland Forest Research and Education Center, the Carolina Butterfly Society, and they North American Butterfly Association.

Butterflies are not only beautiful, but ecologically important as pollinators. Find out more about the National Park Service pollinators program - including butterflies, flowers, and more. Butterflies are also important indicators of ecosystem health. Some butterflies require specific plants or climate patterns to survive, and many may be affected by habitat loss, pollution, and disease. By studying changes in butterfly populations over space and time, scientists can learn a lot about our changing world. Such a project, however, requires eyes and feet (as opposed to expensive laboratory machines) to help spot, identify, and count butterflies. You - as a volunteer - are invited to get involved!

All ages and experience levels are welcome to join the Congaree National Park Butterfly Count. After a brief introduction, volunteers will work with experts and divide up into groups to survey (spot, identify, and count) butterflies in diverse areas of the park.

There will be a range of hiking options from easy, family-friendly strolls to backcountry hikes. Some counting groups will be out most of the day, but other groups can accommodate visitors who can only participate through lunch time. The data will be reported to the North American Butterfly Association, which has been coordinating annual counts since 1975. By compiling this data with other counts from all across the continent, scientists can make maps and measure changes in butterfly populations over time.

Location:  Congaree National Park

Date and Time:  Saturday, June 13, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

More Information:  For more information about Congaree National Park, call 803.647.3970, or visit www.nps.gov/cong.

Full Moon Evening at the Cape Lookout Lighthouse  - Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina

Superintendent Patrick M. Kenney announced this year's evening climbs of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse.This opportunity will be offered on select dates near the full moon during the months of June, July, August, September and October. Bring your own flashlight and experience the island and the lighthouse as the keepers did, in the dark of night.Hear stories of the light keepers, watch the sunset and moon and stars come out on the unlit beaches of Cape Lookout National Seashore. Discover a different side to your favorite beach!

Children joining the climb must be at least 44-inches tall and able to climb the steps on their own. Children 12 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult (16 or older). Footwear is required as well.

June Dates for an Evening at Cape Lookout Lighthouse

• Thursday, June 4
• Friday, June 5
• Saturday, June 6
• Wednesday, July 1

Cost: The cost of the program is $23 per person (price includes ferry fee) and is non-refundable (weather dependent).

Reservations: Reservations are required. Reservations for an Evening at Cape Lookout Lighthouse on June 4, 5, and 6 may be made beginning on Tuesday, May 26 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM. To make a reservation, call 252-725-9373 . Reservations for each of the other evening programs will be accepted the week prior to each month's dates.

Date and Time:  Ongoing throughout the summer.

Ferry and Departutre Information: There will be one evening ferry trip on each date for all the climbs on that night; the ferry will depart Harkers Island at 7:30 PM and return at about 10:00 PM

More Information: For more information visit: http://go.nps.gov/lighthouse

Fish with a Ranger Day - The Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee

The Obed Wild and Scenic River will host Fish with a Ranger Day on Saturday, June 6, 2015. This is Tennessee’s Free Fishing Day and no license will be required for participation in this program. Fishing is a popular outdoor sport across the nation, and it is a great way for families to spend quality time together. Free Fishing Day is always the Saturday of the first full week in June. Anyone (resident or non-resident) of any age can fish free without a license in Tennessee’s public waters on June 6.

Fishing rod, reel, and some tackle will be provided for participants to use. Children are particularly encouraged to attend but must be accompanied by an adult. This program is an excellent chance to learn helpful tips and tricks of fishing in the free-flowing streams of the Cumberland Plateau.

Date and Time:  June 6, 2015 at 7 AM. 

Location: Lilly Bridge 

More Information: For more information, please contact the Obed Visitor Center at (423) 346-6294.

Ongoing Events in the Parks: 

Junior Cave Scientist Program - National Park Service Explore Nature

The National Park Service Explore Nature Program is  looking for young speleologists to become junior rangers. In the Junior Cave Scientist activity book, you will explore the fascinating and fragile underground world of caves, learn about the National Park System, and complete fun educational activities. Participants who complete the booklet will earn a badge, a certificate, and the rank of Junior Cave Scientist.

EXPLORE magnificent and beautiful caves. You will find an amazing underground world just beneath your feet! LEARN about caves and karst systems and the work that cave scientists do. PROTECT our national parks and the things that make caves and karst areas special.

The Junior Cave Scientist Program is a part of the National Park Service Junior Ranger Program. The goal of the Junior Ranger Program is to connect young people to their national parks through a variety of in-park activities that are designed to introduce them to the national park system and cultivate future generations of park stewards. Programs range from simple scavenger hunts for younger children, to multi-day ranger-led activities. Over 200 National Park Service areas currently have Junior Ranger programs. T

Location: Participating National Parks or,  try the online Junior Ranger program,  WebRanger program.

Date and Time:  ongoing

More Information: To learn more about NPS Junior Ranger programs, visit http://www.nps.gov/kids/jrRangers.cfm. 

 

Dinosaur's 100th Anniversary Celebrations - Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado and Utah

On October 4, 1915, 80-acres of fossil-rich land in Northeast Utah were set aside as Dinosaur National Monument to protect "an extraordinary deposit of Dinosaurian and other gigantic reptilian remains of the Jurassic period." A second proclamation signed in 1938 recognized the surrounding area's spectacular scenery, geology, ecology and rich cultural history and expanded Dinosaur National Monument from 80 acres to over 210,000 acres, spanning the Utah-Colorado border. 

From April through October 2015, a variety of special events and projects will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Dinosaur National Monument and the diversity of resources it protects. We hope you will join the celebration!

April National Park Week from April 18-26 and National Junior Ranger Day on April 25, May Wild Things, June Rivers & Recreation, July History & Heritage, August Earl Douglass Discovery Days & Skies Over Dinosaur Astronomy Festival from August 12-16, September Art in the Park, October Rocktoberfest with the 100th Anniversary Weekend and Employee Reunion from October 2-4, Earth Science Week from October 10-18 and National Fossil Day on October 14

Location:  Dinosaur National Monument

Date and Time:  April to October

More Information:  Visit the park website for more information regarding individuals or groups who want to participate in presenting or hosting events or sharing ideas. Download the form 

Ranger Led Canoeing, Hiking, and Astronomy Programs - Big Cypress National Park, Florida

Enhance your understanding and enjoyment of Big Cypress National Preserve by taking part in a ranger-led program. Programs are offered at various locations from November to April. Topics include: plants, animals, human history, and more. Activities include: astronomy programs, canoeing trips, hiking, boardwalk strolls, and evening programs. 

Location: Big Cypress National Park

Date and Time:  Daily

More Information:  All ranger-led programs are free. Check the schedule posted at visitor centers and bulletin boards throughout the national preserve for times, places, and subject. You may also download a copy by clicking here.To make reservations, please call: 239-695-4758. Reservations are accepted up to 14 days in advance of the activity date.

Birding Tour and Beach Walk - Padre Island National Seashore, Texas 

Over 380 species of birds have been found at Padre Island National Seashore. This is nearly half of all bird species that have been documented in North America! Join expert birding guides on this 2-3 hour driving tour to find and observe the amazing variety of birds found in the park.

Location: Malaquite Beach Deck, Padre Island National Seashore

Time: Daily from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Fee Information: park entrance fee only

Padre Island beach walks are a leisurely 45-minute stroll on the beach and suitable for all ages. The program explores the coastal ecology.

Location: Malaquite Beach

Time: Weekly on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Fee Information: park entrance fee only

This leisurely, 45-minute stroll on the beach is suitable for all ages. The program explores our coastal ecology.