National Park Junior Ranger Podcast

Today, we’re heading to the Appalachian Mountains to explore the most visited national park in the world – Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  In this episode we discuss some of the fascinating features of the park, talk about the geology, some plants and animals, learn about the history of the park, complete a junior ranger activity, and have some recommendations for exploring the park.   Junio...

Today, we’re heading as far east as the National Park System can take us.  Just 1.5 miles off the main island of Saint Croix lies Buck Island Reef National Monument.  In this episode, we explore the natural beauty of the region while learning about St. Croix and Buck Island, including their geological formation and history, Indigenous heritage, diverse plant and animal life, the monument’s establi...

In this Trail Trivia episode, we’ll be testing your nature knowledge with a fun and exciting 3-round trivia challenge!  Each round will focus on a different aspect of the natural world, from wildlife and ecosystems to natural wonders and environmental facts. Download the Trail Trivia Score Sheet (Only available on Desktop) : https://npjrpodcast3.wordpress.com/about/   Email:  NPJRPodcast@gmail.com...

Today, we’re heading to Alaska to explore America’s biggest wilderness — Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve.  In this episode, we’ll highlight some of the park’s most fascinating features, explore its geology, plants, and wildlife, dive into its history, complete an activity from the Junior Ranger program, and discuss how to access and experience this remarkable landscape.    Junior Ran...

Today, we’re heading to the southeastern United States, to the Atlantic coast of Georgia, to explore Fort Pulaski National Monument.  Along the way, we’ll take in the area’s natural beauty while diving into the story of the fort itself, including how it became a turning point in military history.  We’ll also explore the region’s geological formation, its Indigenous heritage, and the rich, diverse...

Episode Description In this Trail Trivia episode, we’ll be testing your nature knowledge with a fun and exciting 3-round trivia challenge!  Each round will focus on a different aspect of the natural world, from wildlife and ecosystems to natural wonders and environmental facts. Download the Trail Trivia Score Sheet (Only available on Desktop) : https://npjrpodcast3.wordpress.com/about/   Email:  N...

Today, we’re heading west off the coast of California into the Pacific Ocean to explore a chain of islands that, though close to the mainland, feel a world apart – Channel Islands National Park.  In this episode we discuss some of the fascinating features of the park, some plants and animals, learn about the history of the park, island dwarfism and gigantism, complete an activity from the junior r...

Today, we are heading to the Great Plains to visit Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.  We complete a Junior Ranger activity together and explore the natural beauty of the area, including its geological formation, Indigenous history, diverse plant and animal life, and the establishment of the preserve as a protected landscape.  We also take time to experience its trails and recreational opportuni...

In this Trail Trivia episode, we’ll be testing your nature knowledge with a fun and exciting 3-round trivia challenge!  Each round will focus on a different aspect of the natural world, from wildlife and ecosystems to natural wonders and environmental facts. Download the Trail Trivia Score Sheet (Only available on Desktop) : https://npjrpodcast3.wordpress.com/about/   Email:  NPJRPodcast@gmail.com...

Today, we’re heading to South Dakota to explore two very different worlds within one national park; one underground, and one above showcasing some of the best preserved prairies that remain in the U.S. – Wind Cave National Park.  Along the way, we’ll discover unique park features, learn about its plants and wildlife, dive into its history and geology, and offer tips for exploring this remarkable l...

Today, we’re heading to Chicago, Illinois to introduce "Chicagoland", and learn all about the Pullman National Historical Park.  We discuss the history of the company town, explore the natural beauty of the area, its Indigenous heritage, the diverse plants and animals that inhabit the area, the park's establishment, how to access the park, and work through a Junior Ranger activity to...

In this Trail Trivia episode, we’ll be testing your nature knowledge with a fun and exciting 3-round trivia challenge!  Each round will focus on a different aspect of the natural world, from wildlife and ecosystems to natural wonders and environmental facts. Download the Trail Trivia Score Sheet (Only available on Desktop) : https://npjrpodcast3.wordpress.com/about/   Email:  NPJRPodcast@gmail.com...

Today, we’re heading to the Beehive state to explore the southwest corner of Utah – Zion National Park.  In this episode we discuss some of the fascinating features of the park, some plants and animals, learn about the history of the park, offer a junior ranger activity, discuss the geology, and have some recommendations for exploring the park.   Junior Rangers are explorers, learning all about th...

Today, we’re heading to Costa Rica to explore its natural wonders. In this episode, we dive into the highlights of Manuel Antonio, Rincón de la Vieja, Arenal Volcano, and Tenorio Volcano National Parks; from their fascinating geologic histories to the remarkable plants and animals that call them home, including everyone’s favorite: sloths.  We also explore other protected areas such as Ostional Wi...

In this Trail Trivia episode, we’ll be testing your nature knowledge with a fun and exciting 3-round trivia challenge!  Each round will focus on a different aspect of the natural world, from wildlife and ecosystems to natural wonders and environmental facts. Download the Trail Trivia Score Sheet (Only available on Desktop) : https://npjrpodcast3.wordpress.com/about/   Email:  NPJRPodcast@gmail.com...

Today, we’re heading to Costa Rica to explore its wonders of nature.  In this episode we discuss some of the fascinating features of Palo Verde, Barra Honda, Carara, and Marino Ballena national parks (as well as mention some details about Iguanitas National Wildlife Refuge and Monte Alto Nature Reserve), learn about some plants and animals – highlighting the Scarlet Macaw and the Strangler Fig, le...

Today, we’re heading to the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica to explore Las Baulas Marine National Park.  In this episode we learn all about Costa Rica, discuss some of the fascinating features of the national park, some plants and animals (highlighting the leatherback sea turtle), learn about the history of the park, complete a junior ranger activity, discuss the geology and human history, and have so...

Today, we’re heading to southeastern Colorado to explore Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site.  We explore the area’s natural beauty while learning about the commerce that shaped the plains during westward expansion, its Indigenous heritage, the diverse plants and animals that live there, the ecological impact of the bison trade, the park’s history and access, and have a Junior Ranger activity f...

In this Trail Trivia episode, we’ll be testing your nature knowledge with a fun and exciting 3-round trivia challenge!  Each round will focus on a different aspect of the natural world, from wildlife and ecosystems to natural wonders and environmental facts. Download the Trail Trivia Score Sheet (Only available on Desktop) : https://npjrpodcast3.wordpress.com/about/   Email:  NPJRPodcast@gmail.com...

Today, we’re heading to the Pacific Northwest to explore the dazzling and dynamic world of the Olympic Peninsula and learn all about Olympic National Park; from seashore to mountain tops.  In this episode we discuss some of the fascinating features of the park, some plants and animals, learn about the history of the park, complete an activity from the junior ranger program, and have some recommend...

Today, we’re heading back to the Colorado Plateau in the southwestern U.S. to explore Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico.  We explore the natural beauty of the area, learning about the formation and geological history, its Indigenous heritage (highlighting the Great House and reconstructed Great Kiva), the diverse plants and animals that inhabit the area, the park's establishment (and...

In this Trail Trivia episode, we’ll be testing your nature knowledge with a fun and exciting 3-round trivia challenge!  Each round will focus on a different aspect of the natural world, from wildlife and ecosystems to natural wonders and environmental facts. Download the Trail Trivia Score Sheet (Only available on Desktop) : https://npjrpodcast3.wordpress.com/about/   Email:  NPJRPodcast@gmail.com...

Today, we’re heading to Southwest Colorado to explore the largest and most well preserved cliff dwelling site in the world – Mesa Verde National Park.  In this episode we discuss some of the fascinating features of the park, some plants and animals, learn about the history of the park, complete an activity from the Junior Ranger program, discuss the geology and the Ancestral Puebloans, and have so...

Today, we’re heading to the east coast to visit the Gulf Islands National Seashore.  We work through a Junior Ranger activity together and explore the natural beauty of the seashore, the formation and geological history of the park, its Indigenous heritage, the diverse plants and animals that inhabit the area, the park's establishment as a national seashore, and the numerous recreational oppor...

In this Trail Trivia episode, we’ll be testing your nature knowledge with a fun and exciting 3-round trivia challenge!  Each round will focus on a different aspect of the natural world, from wildlife and ecosystems to natural wonders and environmental facts. Download the Trail Trivia Score Sheet (Only available on Desktop) : https://npjrpodcast3.wordpress.com/about/   Email:  NPJRPodcast@gmail.com...