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Did you know U.S. military veterans, current service members and their families are eligible to receive free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites? There are two types of America the Beautiful military passes: military annual and military lifetime. Annual passes provide free access for current military and dependents. The lifetime pass is for gold star families and U.S. military veterans. These passes grant access to national parks, national wildlife refuges and other federally managed lands that charge for use. It’s one small way to honor military service and help those families connect with the land they helped protect. Learn more or order your pass now by searching ‘USGS military pass.’ USFWS photo

Eastern carpenter bees are large, shiny pollinators often mistaken for bumblebees. As temperatures drop, activity winds down and these bees seek shelter to overwinter, often in the tunnels they carved into wood in the spring. Mated females hibernate alone in nests, waiting to re-emerge when warmth returns. Photo: Judy Gallagher/CC BY 2.0 flic.kr/p/2o78Bsq

Happy Veterans Day! Today we honor our veterans and make sure we never forget their dedication and sacrifice. At the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we're fortunate to work alongside many veterans who continue to serve our country by safeguarding its natural treasures. Photo: Gordon Garcia