The Parks Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Are you celebrating Thanksgiving in Massachusetts?  Spend Friday, November 28 outside with "Gratitude After Gravy". Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is hosting guided outdoor recreation throughout the state.  Celebrate with family and friends and head to the parks! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Alan Spears, from National Park Conservation Association, joins us to talk about the status of our National Parks and public lands after the 43 day shutdown. We also talk about what's next for our beloved places. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail "Hustle" and "Bustle" have become part of our every day vocabulary. And as we make lists, and check them twice, how can we make sure that our spending power is working for the causes we love.  It's time to check our Shopping Values, and the values of the brands and places where we are shopping. Are they supporting our public lands? Are they helping us recr...

Send us Fan Mail Sierra Club's Military Outdoors program provides our veterans the chance to get outdoors and opportunities for community, camaraderie, and healing. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail  Skmaqn-Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst National Historic site was home to Mi'kmaq, French, Acadian, and British over its long and rich history. Skmagn, meaning "waiting place," served as a protective fort for Prince Edward Island. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Tara Ross from Crime off the Grid Podcast joins me to talk about the status of our National Parks and Public Lands on day 27 of the Government Shutdown. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We talk to Sandi Olek from Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the importance of outdoor recreation in the state. They are hosting the Maryland Outdoor Summit to bring together the industry to discuss Outdoor for All, Recreation with a Purpose, and the Business of Outdoor Recreation. In this episode we learn about how this meeting will impact outdoor recreation through ou...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the stunning Canadian coast of Prince Edward Island National Park! Join Missy and Manon Gallant to explore the cultural heritage, critical dune preservation efforts, and everything you need to know to plan a trip to this seaside Parks Canada location. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail When the US Government shut down on October 1, 2025, questions and concerns about the status of our parks immediately became breaking news and trending topics. John Goodwin, a retired NPS Ranger and Author of "Echoes of the Badge: Stories from a National Park Service Career" joins me to share how to recreate responsibly during these challenging times.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Fort McAllister State Historic Park marks an important point in the Civil War with General Sherman's "March to the Sea".  In this episode we learn about the history of the battle and the environmental wonders of the park. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Organizations like The Conservation Alliance have been created by outdoor brands and businesses to help join forces in advocating for our public lands.  In this episode we learn more about the hot topics in advocacy and how to get involved. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Parks Podcast, I spoke with Brian Bird, a chapter coordinator for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, about the importance of the Roadless Rule. They begin by defining the Roadless Rule as a measure that prohibits road construction on federal lands to protect undeveloped areas. Bird highlights several key reasons for its importance, including preserving continu...

Send us Fan Mail  For nearly 25 years, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule has protected nearly 50 million acres of public land. This summer, the agriculture Secretary announced that they would rescind the rule. This would have a significant impact on our public lands. In this episode we learn about the Roadless rule and how to activate to protect our public lands. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail The journey of Lewis and Clark stopped in, what is now, Oregon for the winter. The Lewis and Clark National Historical Park holds the environmental and historical conservation so that we can all continue to learn and understand their journey. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument shares the story of one of the few winter battles held during the Civil War and how Kentucky's commitment to neutrality eventually shifted to have them fighting for the Union. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail New River Gorge became America's newest national park in 2020 — but the story here goes back 10,000 years. This is where the smokeless coal that fueled the industrial revolution came from. Where Henry Ford leased mines and Carter G. Woodson — the father of Black History Month — worked as a coal miner. Where Mother Jones helped build the labor movement. And where one Saturday...

Send us Fan Mail National Hammock Day is June 22nd. We met up with Anna Rawlins from ENO to talk about the history of hammocking, how to do it safely, and why so many people are incorporating hammocks into their lives. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail General Coffee State Park in Georgia celebrates the rich agricultural history of our country. The park showcases its late 1800s farm and diverse recreational activities. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail What do dish towels, dorm-style boarding houses, and secret British tech have in common? Welcome to Lowell National Historical Park — the birthplace of American industrial innovation and a catalyst for social change. In this episode, host Missy Rentz explores the fascinating history of Lowell, Massachusetts, with Park Ranger Aubrey Brown. Discover how Lowell became the blueprint f...

Send us Fan Mail Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are home to two of the largest trees in the world. The parks host large-scale conservation efforts and offer incredible recreational activities. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail U.S. Senator Tim Kaine set out to create Virginia's version of a lifetime outdoor adventure — hiking the Appalachian Trail, cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive, and paddling the entire length of the James River. He completed all 76 days over 30 months that included COVID, January 6th, a contested presidential election, and a bout of long COVID he's still man...

Send us Fan Mail We journey to Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii. This memorial commemorates the attack on December 7, 1941. It serves as a memorial to the lives lost and a history lesson about how the United States entered World War II. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail John Goodwin, Retired NPS Ranger and author of "Echoes of the Badge" joins us to talk about his adventures as a park ranger. He also shares some tips for your park visit. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Jessica Bowser, from Virginia Outdoor Adventures, gives us a glimpse into her approach to planning park trips and learning new activities. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Sandra Ramos joins me to talk about how to advocate for parks and visit parks during these turbulent times. Support the show