The peregrine falcon is one of nature's swiftest and most beautiful birds of prey and is known for its aerial skills. This bird stands as a testament to the power of partnerships and conservation success we can achieve working together. The peregrine falcon is just one of the species that the Endangered Species Act has helped recover. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ESA, we look to the next 50 years and beyond with a renewed commitment to species conservation. Photo by Leslie Scopes Anderson #ESA50 #publiclands #peregrinefalcon Alt Text: A brown and cream peregrine falcon soars through the air with its beak open.

Ermygosh, look at those adorable paws. 🥰 The ermine, also known as a short-tailed weasel, has a body well suited to chasing down its prey. Long and slim, with short legs, they pursue smaller prey through grasses, up trees, across rivers, in snow and directly into their tunnels and dens. They can take down prey as much as ten times their weight, including rabbits, hares and woodchucks! Photo by Stacy Studebaker / @USFWS #weasel #wildlife #alaska #publiclands Alt Text: A brown and white ermine with distinctive paws rests against a dark gray rock and watches the ground in front of him.

National Public Lands Day on Saturday is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands. The day brings together individuals, students, families and groups of volunteers to help maintain and restore America’s treasured places. Volunteering is a way for the public to give back to these places that mean so much to us. The beauty and importance of public lands inspire us all - we hope to see you outdoors for this year’s National Public Lands Day! Learn more, link in our bio. Photos by @nationalparkservice #NPLD #NationalPublicLandsDay #YourParkStory #PublicLands Alt Text: Photo 1: Two volunteers high five after repairing a fence at @grandtetonnps. Photo 2: Three volunteers kneeling next to a newly planted tree at @fortmchenrynps. Photo 3: A large group of young adults, some in the same light purple t-shirt, pose together behind a large pile of full trash bags. Photo 4: Nine volunteers smiling next to bags of trash they collected.

Browns Canyon National Monument protects a stunning section of Colorado’s upper Arkansas River Valley. The monument features rugged granite cliffs, colorful rock outcroppings and mountain vistas that are home to various plants and wildlife, including bighorn sheep and golden eagles. The area is a beacon to white water rafters and anglers looking to test their skills at catching brown and rainbow trout. During the fall, nature’s palette is on full display as the surrounding forests of aspen and cottonwood turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red, creating a picturesque backdrop for your visit. Photo by Bob Wick / @mypubliclands #publiclands #colorado #fishing Alt Text: Photo 1: The light from a sun set causes the flowing water in a river to shimmer a pinkish-orange color. Trees and small bushes line the river on both sides. Photo 2: A person flyfishing in a river, surrounded by trees with yellow leaves and mountains in the distance. Photo 3: The sun shines against a large rock outcrop with green trees and mountain vistas in the distance. Gray and white clouds hang in the sky above.

📅 Save the date! On Saturday, September 23 -- in honor of National Public Lands Day -- entrance fees will be waived at Interior-managed public lands that require fees. We encourage everyone to get outside and take advantage of the health benefits of spending time in these natural spaces that belong to all of us. Photo at @greatsanddunesnps by Patrick Myers / NPS #NPLD #nationalpubliclandsday #publiclands Alt Text: A morning sunrise exposes a fresh blanket of snow on the mountains and early morning light touches the dunes and golden cottonwood trees.

Coati mama and her kits are out for an afternoon stroll at Bonita Creek in Arizona. With their tails-up, formidable front claws and long snouts, this band of coatis sniff along the ground in search of insects, frogs and reptiles. A member of the raccoon family, coatis live on the canyons and hills of southern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, as well as in Central and South America. Unlike the nocturnal raccoon, coatis like to snack during the day. They can flip over rocks in search of snakes and lizards or use their excellent climbing skills to forage for nuts, berries or bird eggs in trees. Photo by Christina Porter / @mypubliclands #wildlife #coati #publiclands #arizona Alt Text: A band of six coatis with their tails up forage for food along a creek.

The Great American Outdoors Act is helping address maintenance backlogs at national parks, wildlife refuges and recreation areas while supporting tens of thousands of jobs and contributing billions of dollars to local economies. From masonry work on the Canyon Overlook trail's orange sandstone at @zionnps to a reconstructed Lakeview Drive at @greatsmokynps in North Carolina, the Great American Outdoors Act is helping Interior tackle some big jobs. Photos by @nationalparkservice #publiclands Alt Text: Photo 1: Trail crew workers doing masonry work on the Canyon Overlook trail's orange sandstone at Zion National Park. Photo 2: A view from an overpass that looks out at the Great Smoky Mountains with a river flowing under it. The road is undergoing renovations funded by the Great American Outdoors Act.

Bears aren't the only mammals fattening up in preparation for hibernation. Hoary marmots build large fat stores in the summer and early fall that will get them through up to 8 months of hibernation! Nicknamed the "whistle pig" for the high-pitched chirp, you can catch a glimpse of these little chunkers during the day on top of rocks where they will veg on grasses, forbs and seeds of flowers. Photo by Dawn Wilson #marmot #wildlife #publiclands Alt Text: A marmot stands on its hind legs with a mouth full of grass.

Hello, handsome! 👋 Caribou in the Arctic are busy feeding on lichens, dried sedges and small shrubs (like blueberry) to regain body weight. Soon, the caribou will begin shedding the layer of velvet covering their antlers. This change, among others, signals the approach of the rut, or mating season, marked by intense competition among males for mates. For the Western Arctic herd, the rut occurs in mid-to-late October. This a dangerous time for bulls as intense battles can leave them injured, dead or so exhausted that they become easy prey for predators. Photo by Ken Conger / NPS #caribou #wildlife #fall #publiclands #rut Alt Text: A caribou bull with velvet-covered antlers surrounded by fall colors.

Live footage of me leaving the office. ✌️👍 Have a great weekend! Photo by Janet Stevens #friyay #wildlife #publiclands Alt Text: A little white mountain goat kid jumping on the rocks.

At Interior, we preserve and interpret historic sites across the country that help tell the proud story of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Countless @nationalparkservice sites commemorate the ways that Hispanic and Latino people have enriched the nation: El Morro National Monument in New Mexico not only protects centuries of ancestral Puebloan culture, but over 400 years of Spanish history in the Southwest. @sanjuannps in Puerto Rico preserves histories of centuries of Spanish occupation and the island’s transition into a U.S. commonwealth. @cabrillonps in San Diego offers excellent opportunities to explore the area's natural and cultural history and learn about the 16th-century explorer for whom the park is named. @cesarechaveznps in California visitors can learn about the history of one of America's greatest champions for social justice and about the movement he led to improve wages, living and working conditions for farmworkers. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by learning more about our country’s Hispanic history at these incredible sites. Photos by NPS #HispanicHeritageMonth #publiclands Photo 1: A large rock cuesta or ridge stand tall during a storm with grasses and trees below. Photo by P.Reed / NPS. Photo 2: San Juan National Historic Site shows old historic buildings and history of Puerto Rico. Photo 3: A white lighthouse and building sit on a rocky hillside at Cabrillo National Monument surrounded by rocks and green plants. Photo 4: César E. Chávez National Monument garden is filled with fountains and lush vegetation.

Last week, Interior announced $5 million in funding to restore bison populations and grassland ecosystems in Tribal communities. The funding will help advance bison restoration efforts on grasslands, which can enhance soil development, restore native plants and wildlife, and promote carbon sequestration, providing benefits for agriculture, outdoor recreation and Tribes. Photo by Matthew Willner #bison #grasslands Alt Text: A male bison with its mouth open stands on the grasslands.