January/February 2003 
The Benefits of Beavers
Considered functionally extinct at the beginning of the 20th century, beavers have made a dramatic comeback across the United States and Canada—good news for beavers as well as other species. The large industrious rodents create wetlands and marshy areas that provide habitat for hundreds of species.
By Todd Wilkinson
Wilderness Homeland
Eighty percent of 8.4-million-acre Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is designated wilderness—a wilderness where animals and indigenous people have co-existed for thousands of years. Ensuring that both the park's wild character and its indigenous people's use of park resources remains compatible with wilderness preservation is a major challenge facing the Park Service.
By Bill Sherwonit
A Natural Challenge
A five-year science-gathering initiative signals a shift within the National Park Service from a focus on visitor needs to both preserving and understanding wildlife and other natural resources.
By David Williams
4 Outlook
Gates of the Arctic is the park system's premier wilderness park; the challenge is keeping it that way.
By Thomas C. Kiernan
5 Editor's Note
6 Letters
21 ParkScope
Historic beach may become a park
Bison killed at Yellowstone
Legislation may extend Mount Rainier
No-fishing zones at Channel Islands
Flight 93 crash site becomes memorial
28 Forum
Over the next two years, Republican leaders must choose to continue to protect the national parks or look out for the special interests of a few.
By Craig Obey
48 Excursions
Hot Springs National Park.
By Jim Taylor
52 Historic Highlights
The Underground Railroad.
By Ryan Dougherty
53 Rare & Endangered
The snail kite.
By Jenell Talley
55 You Are Here
