From Yosemite's cascading waterfalls to Yellowstone's geothermal wonders, the U.S. national parks are among the most breathtaking places in the world. Founded to preserve the nation's heritage and historic landscapes, the national parks are one of America's crowning achievements and greatest treasures. America's National Parks: An American Legacy tells the story of the parks through the photography of Ian Shive, today's leading photographer of our national parks and their surrounding significant landscapes, as well as through poignant essays by conservancy groups from across the country.