Shows
Arizona State Parks and Trails Podcast360 Degrees of Camping ⛺️New to camping? Want to make your weekend outdoors a success? This information-packed episode cuts the learning curve for any camper looking for new techniques to improve your overnight experience in the outdoors. Hear from experts on the equipment you'll need, the food you can prepare and make at camp, selecting your campsite and being safe out there, and why time in nature is so beneficial for us in the first place! Visit AZStateParks.com/Camping-Logistics for even more tricks, tools, and tips to make camping easy and fun.About our guest: Dr. Brent...2024-02-061h 08Arizona State Parks and Trails PodcastOh snap... It's a Photo Contest!Announcing (drum roll, please 🥁)... the 2023-2024 Opt Outside Photo Contest at Arizona State Parks! Join us in this episode to hear all about the photo contest, its categories, and sweet prize packages. See the full contest details, rules, deadlines, and submission form at AZStateParks.com/photo-contest. Professional photographer for Arizona State Parks, Carlos Ramirez, joins Neil and Elisabeth on the show to give tips and tricks of the trade to take stunning photos. We also hear from one of the contest judges Tim Elinski. Not only is Tim a judge, his company, Pin Drop Travel Trailers, is par...2023-11-2250 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastGo outside... it's good for your health!Humans seem to be hardwired for nature, but did you know there is an actual term for this feeling? It's the concept of biophilia, and research is helping medicine incorporate time in the outdoors and a connection to nature with our health! Dr. Brent Bauer, a general internal medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota joins us on the show to explain how our physical and mental state can be positively impacted by simply going outside. He addresses questions like the types of outdoor recreation activities that are beneficial, how much time outdoors is needed, and, f...2023-10-2531 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastGoing underground with the Kartchner Caverns Cave UnitFor Chelsea Ballard, the world underneath the ground we stand on has always had a draw. She earned a Karst Hydrogeology degree and went on to work in several different caves before moving to Arizona to lead our Cave Unit team at Kartchner Caverns State Park.In this episode, Chelsea shares what excites her about working in the unique ecosystem of caves and karsts, and gives us insight into the wonders Kartchner Caverns holds. Listen as Chelsea explains the work her team does, the distinctive features of Kartchner Caverns that set it apart from other show caves...2023-09-2856 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastJust Wingin' It with Arizona Birding Expert Richard C. TaylorIf there's anyone who knows Arizona's birds, it's our guest Richard "Rick" C. Taylor, who literally wrote the book Birds of Arizona! On this episode we fly into the amazing world of the elegant trogon, ruffs, Scott's oriole, sparrows, hummingbirds and so much more.Whether you're a beginning birder or a seasoned ornithologist, you'll be delighted by Rick's knowledge and passion for birding and his perspective on how we nature lovers can relate to our feathered friends.Resources we discussed on this episode that can help you as you get into birding include Rick's book...2023-08-2559 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastStars, Snails, and Social Media: Sonoran Insiders Program in the SpotlightThe Sonoran Insiders program promotes and amplifies good stewardship and responsible outdoor recreation in the Sonoran Desert and landscapes across Arizona. The group hosts fun and informative Insider Experiences for program ambassadors. Apply to become an ambassador HERE or learn more about becoming a partner for the Sonoran Insiders HERE.Want to try an Insider Experience for yourself? Register HERE for their event on August 5 to learn about responsible recreation and tourism on tribal lands with the San Carlos Apache Tribe.About our guests:Brooke Wheelock is the Partnership Coordinator with...2023-07-2653 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastRemembering the Granite Mountain Hotshots: A conversation with Lew TheokasLew Theokas, the grandfather of Granite Mountain Hotshots crewmember Garret Zuppiger, joins Arizona State Parks team member Ken "Gecko" Sliwa for a conversation to remember the hotshots who lost their lives fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013. Lew is a former wildland firefighter and currently serves as the Public Relations Officer for the town of Peeple's Valley.Find your next Arizona adventure and sign up for our newsletter at AZStateParks.com/Amazing, and follow @AZStateParks on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter for even more inspiration.2023-06-2829 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastRemembering the Granite Mountain Hotshots: A conversation with Ben PalmBen Palm, former fire chief for the town of Yarnell, joins Arizona State Parks team member Ken "Gecko" Sliwa for a conversation to remember the hotshots who lost their lives fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013. Ben served as the Yarnell Fire Chief after the fire up through 2019, and currently works as the department's Assistant Chief and a Liaison Officer on Incident Management Teams for wildland fires.Learn more about the Firewise program and creating defensible space around property to protect it from wildfire at dffm.az.gov/fire/prevention/firewise.Find...2023-06-2733 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastRemembering the Granite Mountain Hotshots: A conversation with Karen NorrisKaren Norris, the mother of Granite Mountain Hotshots crewmember Scott Norris, joins Arizona State Parks team member Ken "Gecko" Sliwa for a conversation to remember the hotshots who lost their lives fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013. Karen is a founding member and sits on the board of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center in Prescott. You can find information and plan your visit to the center at gmihc19.org.Find your next Arizona adventure and sign up for our newsletter at AZStateParks.com/Amazing, and follow @AZStateParks on Facebook...2023-06-2626 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastRemembering the Granite Mountain Hotshots, 10 Years LaterThis episode is dedicated in tribute to the Granite Mountain Hotshots who lost their lives in the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013: Andrew Ashcraft, Robert Caldwell, Travis Carter, Dustin DeFord, Christopher MacKenzie, Eric Marsh, Grant McKee, Sean Misner, Scott Norris, Wade Parker, John Percin Jr., Anthony Rose, Jesse Steed, Joe Thurston, Travis Turbyfill, William Warneke, Clayton Whitted, Kevin Woyjeck, and Garret Zuppiger. Our thoughts are with their families on this ten-year anniversary, as well as the lone surviving member of the hotshots crew, Brendan McDonough.Our deepest gratitude to Lew Theokas, grandfather of hotshot Garret Zuppiger; Ben Pa...2023-06-2337 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastSharing the Desert with SsssnakesSometimes all it takes is a little knowledge to change fear into fascination. That's why Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary joined us on this episode: to reintroduce to the world of snakes. Katelyn Garcia, the sanctuary's Education & Outreach Director as well as Cale Morris, Venom Manager for the sanctuary, help us understand the importance of these reptiles and might help you regard snakes in a different light. Check out the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary to schedule a tour, learn about their camp, or virtually adopt an animal at PhoenixHerp.com and on social media under @PhoenixHerp. You can also check...2023-06-0745 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastSave It! The Case for Historic PreservationWhat is historic preservation and how can any resident or visitor be a part of it? Arizona's State Historic Preservation Officer, Kathryn Leonard, joins us on the show to share. We discuss the many sides of historic preservation, from the ideological perspective of anchoring us to our past and providing tangible ways for future generations to understand it, all the way to the practical side, including laws, tax breaks, economic benefits, and more.As far as who can be a part of preservation efforts? If you find value in a sense of place (and who...2023-05-2447 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastFeeling Hot, Hot, Hot! Arizona's Summer Weather with State Climatologist, Dr. Erinanne SaffellUnderstand Arizona's climate and its potential dangers with this episode's guest, Dr. Erinanne Saffell. Dr. Saffell is Arizona's State Climatologist and she breaks down our state's diverse climate and the role elevation change plays in our weather, as well as factors like the urban heat island effect and practical measures homeowners in Arizona's low-elevation metro areas can take to temper it on their own property.Dr. Saffell also gives insight into what kind of summer Arizonans can expect and how to prepare and be safe in the heat, monsoons, and fire season. If you enjoy h...2023-05-1037 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastCampfire Cooking with Lexi from Roam LabListen in as Lexi with Roam Lab simplifies cooking at the campsite! With a little bit of planning and at-home prep work, you can have delicious meals that fuel your next adventure.Lexi and her husband Chris travel full-time and have mastered the art of campsite cooking. Learn how to cook over a campfire and the tricks of heat distribution. Try out some new recipes or even some of Lexi's favorite gear. Lexi shares great ideas for meals when you want to keep cooking short and sweet as well as options for more gourmet eating (like her...2023-04-2548 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastEarth Day with Arizona State Parks Rangers!This episode is in celebration of Earth Day! Earth Day is an annual, global event on April 22 that has been going strong for 53 years after it was first created in 1970 to draw attention to environmental protection. To discuss Earth Day and better understand how we can all do our part to protect Arizona's natural resources and beautiful outdoor spaces, we’ve invited four state park rangers from across Arizona to join us on the show: Ranger Ethan from Oracle State Park, Rangers Kyle and Jess from Kartchner Caverns State Park, and Ranger Sara from Lost Dutchman State Pa...2023-04-1239 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastArizona extreme adventures with Henley PhillipsMeet adventurer, thru-hiker, mountain biker, backpacker, ultra-runner, hiker, and camper Henley Phillips. Based in Tucson, Arizona, Henley has taken on outdoor adventures across the world. He loves coming up with creative ways to explore new areas and connect destinations on the map with the trail less traveled. Henley will inspire you to try something new, explore more, and savor each moment you can in nature.We begin the show talking about Henley's 64-hour adventure across southern Arizona, running up the five highest summits around Tucson and linking the trailheads by bike. You can read more about his...2023-03-2930 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastFloating into the world of ButterfliesAdriane Grimaldi, Education Director of Butterfly Wonderland, takes us into the amazing world of butterflies in this episode. There are 28,000 butterfly species around the world and Arizona is home to a whopping 334 species--second in diversity of butterfly species only to the state of Texas! Adriane shares where and when you can observe them here in the Grand Canyon State.Adriane also shares the intricacies of butterfly life, their journey to Butterfly Wonderland from farms throughout the world, and how this team of butterfly experts is doing their butterfly conservation work.Learn about these beautiful pollinators...2023-03-1541 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastAll about that bass with FishIn48Nick Teschler and Conrad Demecs with FishIn48 know Arizona's bass and their favorite habitats. They join us on the show to tell anglers their secrets, including where to find bass, the lures they're most successful with, and when to get on the water.Nick and Conrad also regularly contribute to Arizona State Parks and Trails' online Fishing Report and host a blog with more great resources to catch bass in Arizona. Find them on social media at @FishIn48 and check out their upcoming tournament on March 18 at Alamo Lake State Park! You can also find...2023-03-0134 minArizona State Parks and Trails PodcastOn Location at Tonto Natural Bridge State ParkNeil and Elisabeth travel up the Mogollan Rim and near Payson, Arizona to record on location at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Park Manager, Andrew Young, and Assistant Park Manager, Katie Ferguson, join the show to share about the plants, wildlife, and geology that make Tonto Natural Bridge one-of-a-kind. They also share the lesser-known history of this area of Pine Creek Canyon, from Ancestral Puebloan to European influence.These two pros also share how they have created their careers in land management. If you've always dreamed of becoming a park ranger, their journeys are sure to inspire...2023-02-1536 min