Safe Travels: A Nature Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Redwood National & State Parks: Biology and Ecology of the Redwood Tree with Forest Ecologist Lathrop Leonard Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

In our second episode from Redwood National & State Parks we sat down with the Burn Boss and Forest Ecologist, Lathrop Leonard. Lathrop has been studying and restoring the redwood forest for nearly 20 years, his passion and love for these trees shone through in this episode as we chatted about the biology and ecology of the redwood tree.

Additionally, we also talked about prescribed fire and how this burning methods can help promote a healthy ecosystem.

I hope you enjoy this episode! I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation with Lathrop and am very thankful for his work in the beautiful coastal redwood ecosystem.

You can also watch this full episode on YouTube!

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Redwood National & State Parks: Redwoods, Wildlife & Park Info with Patrick Taylor & Karla Jovel Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

We've arrived at beautiful Redwood National & State Parks in Northern California! In episode one from the redwoods, we are joined by Redwood National Park Ranger Patrick Taylor and California State Parks Interpretive Ranger Karla Jovel.

In this episode, we explore a high-level overview of the redwood trees, popular areas of the park, wildlife and feature a general overview of the history and goals of Redwood National and State Parks.

In our next few episodes from this incredible place, we will dive deep into the biology of the redwood tree with a forest ecologist, then we'll sit down with the parks' superintendent to learn about the ongoing restoration efforts, and finally we will meet with the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation to learn about the cultural significance of the redwood tree.

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Capitol Reef National Park: Historic Orchards with Park Ranger and Horticulturist Fritz Maslan Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

We're back with another episode from Capitol Reef National Park in Utah! This time, our focus is on the historic orchards that are in the Fruita District at the park. Park Ranger and Horticulturist Fritz Maslan joined us to talk about how he maintains the orchards, the history of the area, how visitors can interact with the fruit trees and much more!

Fritz is incredible! I had such a blast chatting with him. If you have the opportunity to check out Capitol Reef, I highly encourage you to spend as much time as you can in the orchards.

Our next series will be focused on Redwood National and State Parks!

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Capitol Reef National Park: Geology, Human History & Wildlife with Park Ranger Shauna Cotrell Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

We're at beautiful Capitol Reef National Park in south-central Utah! Visitor Services Program Manager and Park Ranger Shauna Cotrell joined the podcast to chat about geology, human history and wildlife at Capitol Reef. Near the end of the podcast, we also quiz Shauna with some national park trivia cards.

Shauna and I sat in the middle of a beautiful orchard meadow at the park as we recorded our conversation. Special thanks to Park Rangers B Shafer and Katie Johnston for their contributions to this show, too.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/VoH8sJMjzoI

Next week we will sit down with Park Ranger Fritz who is the head orchardist at the park!
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Zion National Park: Botany, Endemic and Invasive Plants with Darrin Gobble Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

Darrin Gobble is a Park Ranger and Vegetation Program Manager at Zion National Park. He is the 'voice' for the plants when the park makes critical decisions that could impact the vegetation in the national park.

In this episode, we chat about botany, the special endemic plants that live at Zion and the invasive plants that are disrupting the ecosystem.

I learned so much in my conversation with Darrin, I hope you do too.

Watch the full podcast here: https://youtu.be/vMK007Ady0U

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Zion National Park: Geology, Wildlife & Astronomy with Park Ranger Charlie Reed Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

I had a blast getting to chat with Park Ranger Charlie Reed! Zion National Park is one of my favorite places on earth, it's always a joy getting to explore and chat about this gem in southwestern Utah.

In this episode we chat about the parks geology, specifically the sandstone cliffs and the Virgin River, wildlife and a lot about the dark skies that surround this park.

Charlie even shares some tips on how you can see and interact with the night sky next time you're at the park.

Watch the full podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LJF0Nu6Qgm0

Upcoming Podcasts:

Zion National Park: Plants... Lots of Plants with Botanist & Park Ranger Darrin Gobble
Capitol Reef National Park: Geology, Human History and Wildlife with Park Ranger Shauna Cotrell
Capitol Reef National Park: Historic Orchards
Redwood National and State Parks Series coming soon!

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Canyonlands & Arches National Parks: Physical Science & Park Health with Physical Scientist Armin Howell Nov 30, 2024

Show notes

In our final episode from Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, we are joined by Physical Scientist and Park Ranger Armin Howell. Armin joined the NPS in 2024 and is primarily focused on research around water flow, water quality and air quality within the four parks associated with the Southeast Utah Group (SEUG).

In this podcast we chat about climate change, how the park is researching and learning about the changing climate and the different ways that Arches and Canyonlands are both being affected by these changes.

I had a blast getting to meet and chat with Armin.

You can watch the full podcast here: https://youtu.be/gRTewUfYIio

Upcoming Podcasts:

Zion National Park: Geology, Wildlife and Dark Skies with Park Ranger Charlie Reed
Zion National Park: Plants... Lots of Plants with Botanist & Park Ranger Darrin Gobble
Capitol Reef National Park: Geology, Human History and Wildlife with Park Ranger Shauna Cotrell
Capitol Reef National Park: Historic Orchards

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Arches National Park: Geology & Environmental Factors with Park Ranger Karen Henker Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

Arches and Canyonlands park ranger, Karen Henker, joined the podcast to chat about the geology and formation of Arches and different environmental factors that are at play at Arches National Park.

Karen has been a park ranger for nearly 20 years and has spent most of her time in Utah at Canyonlands and Arches. Her knowledge, humor and passion for this area is so infectious.

You can watch the full podcast here: https://youtu.be/nJAP_tZ7kbs

Upcoming Podcasts:

Canyonlands and Arches National Parks: Physical Science and Park health with Armin Howell
Zion National Park: Geology, Wildlife and Dark Skies with Park Ranger Charlie Reed
Zion National Park: Plants... Lots of Plants with Botanist & Park Ranger Darrin Gobble
Capitol Reef National Park: Geology, Human History and Wildlife with Park Ranger Shauna Cotrell
Capitol Reef National Park: Historic Orchards

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Canyonlands & Arches National Parks: Search & Rescue with SAR Coordinator Brian Hays Nov 15, 2024

Show notes

Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator and Park Ranger Brian Hays joined us to chat about the search and rescue team at Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.

Brian shares the day-to-day experience working on the SAR team, different types of rescue missions and includes some potentially life saving tips and advice for explorers.

Brian was such a fascinating guest and such a joy to meet and talk with. He and his team do some incredible work for the parks and its visitors.

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RvdgO1LtdYM

Upcoming Podcasts:

Arches National Park: Geology, Park Safety and Environmental Factors with Karen Henker
Canyonlands and Arches National Parks: Physical Science and Park health with Armin Howell
Zion National Park: Geology, Wildlife and Dark Skies with Park Ranger Charlie Reed
Zion National Park: Plants... lots of plants with Botanist & Park Ranger Darrin Gobble

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Canyonlands National Park: Geology, Human History & Wildlife with Park Ranger Karen Henker Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

Canyonlands and Arches park ranger, Karen Henker, joined the podcast to chat about Canyonlands geology, human history and wildlife.

Karen has been a park ranger for nearly 20 years and has spent most of her time in Utah at Canyonlands and Arches. Her knowledge and passion for these parks is incredible and so fun to listen to. I had a blast getting to spend time with her.

You can watch the full podcast here: https://youtu.be/ttSeP0-BBkw

In the podcast, we talk about the native peoples who have called this area home since time immemorial, here are those tribes:

Hopi Tribe
Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians
Navajo Nation
Ohkay Owingeh
Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah
Pueblo of Acoma
Pueblo of Isleta
Pueblo of Jemez
Pueblo of Laguna
Pueblo of Nambe
Pueblo of Picuris
Pueblo of Pojoaque
Pueblo of San Felipe
Pueblo of San Ildefonso
Pueblo of Sandia
Pueblo of Santa Ana
Pueblo of Santa Clara
Pueblo of Taos
Pueblo of Tesuque
Pueblo of Zia
San Juan Southern Paiute
Santo Domingo Pueblo
Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Ute Indian Tribe
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
White Mesa Ute
Zuni Tribe

Upcoming Podcasts:

Canyonlands and Arches National Parks: Search and Rescue with Brian Hays
Arches National Park: Geology, Park Safety and Environmental Factors with Karen Henker
Canyonlands and Arches National Parks: Physical Science and Park health with Armin Howell

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