PUBLIC LANDS -- The National Park Service was created 100 years ago on Aug. 25, 2016. While we have coverage of national parks in the Thursday Outdoors section and coming up on Sunday, the emblem every national park ranger wears says a lot about the agency.

The arrowhead was authorized as the official National Park Service emblem by the Secretary of Interior in 1951.

The components of the arrowhead refer to key attributes of the National Park System, with the sequoia tree and bison representing vegetation and wildlife, the mountains and water representing scenic and recreational values and the arrowhead itself representing historical and archeological values.

Actually the Park Service has evolved to encompass much, much more.  See my column on Sunday.

Meanwhile, enjoy free admission to national parks through the weekend.