Safe Travels Pod

10 Episodes
Subscribe

By: Safe Travels Media

Hear from the folks that live, breathe and know the national parks best. All episodes, including vlogs, are available on our YouTube channel @safetravelspod. __ Safe Travels is a media network that sits down with park rangers to discuss unique areas of each park. The goal of each episode is to help educate current and future visitors on ways to stay safe and keep the park healthy.

Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation: Cultural Significance of the Redwood Tree with Chairperson Jeri Lynn Thompson
Last Friday at 12:00 PM

We're back among the redwoods! This time, we're at the mouth of the Smith River at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in Northern California. We were very lucky to be joined by the Chairperson of Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation, Jeri Lynn Thompson.

Jeri and I chatted about Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation and their history, their relationship with the National Park Service today, the cultural significance of the redwood tree and much more. 

Chairperson Jeri Lynn Thompson is incredible. The story of the Tolowa Dee-ni' people is beyond special. 

I hope you love this episode! The hi...


Saguaro National Park: Inspiring the Next Generation of Park Rangers with Cam Juárez
02/07/2025

Saguaro National Park's Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator, Cam Juárez, joined the podcast to talk about the incredible work that the park does to inspire the next generation of park rangers and park goers. 

In this conversation, Cam and I discuss the importance of engaging local communities, creating more opportunities for people to work in environmental sciences and ways the National Parks can make the wilderness more accessible for those who have disabilities. 

Cam is filled with passion and ambition, it was an honor getting to spend time with him. 
___
Instagram: https://www.inst...


Saguaro National Park: Geology, Biology & Ecology of the Saguaro Cactus with Biologist Lucas Hetherington
01/31/2025

We've arrived at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona! In episode one from Saguaro, we're joined by Lucas Hetherington who is a biologist at the park. 

In our conversation, Lucas and I chatted about the geology of the Rincon and Tucson mountains, the biology of the Saguaro Cactus and the many interactions that the keystone species has with the Sonoran Desert. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Lucas and I am so thankful for all of their work in the park.

You can watch this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dRJt0mbVk30


Redwood National & State Parks: A Comeback Story with Superintendent Steve Mietz
01/17/2025

There's an incredible story unfolding at Redwood National & State Parks. Redwood National Park Superintendent, Steve Mietz, joined the podcast to discuss the amazing restoration efforts that are happening with the redwood forests in Northern California. 

The parks are focused on restoration as opposed to preservation. In addition to restoring old-growth redwood forests, Superintendent Mietz also discussed the reintroduction of the California Condor.

One huge side effect of the current restoration efforts it's the revival of the cultural heritage in this area with many local tribes. 

Superintendent Mietz is incredible. I had such a bl...


Redwood National & State Parks: Biology and Ecology of the Redwood Tree with Forest Ecologist Lathrop Leonard
01/10/2025

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...


Redwood National & State Parks: Redwoods, Wildlife & Park Info with Patrick Taylor & Karla Jovel
01/03/2025

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 si...


Capitol Reef National Park: Historic Orchards with Park Ranger and Horticulturist Fritz Maslan
12/27/2024

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 o...


Capitol Reef National Park: Geology, Human History & Wildlife with Park Ranger Shauna Cotrell
12/20/2024

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/VoH8sJ...


Capitol Reef National Park: Park Preview
12/20/2024

Another park preview! This time we visit south-central Utah to check out Capitol Reef National Park. 

Capitol Reef is the second largest national park in Utah, it's remote and beautiful. The park has some of the most unique geologic features in the country. In this episode we briefly chat about the park and preview the upcoming episodes that we recorded at Capitol Reef. 
___
Follow us on social!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safetravelspod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@safetravelspod
YouTube: youtube.com/@safetravelspod
Safetravelspod.com  


Zion National Park: Botany, Endemic and Invasive Plants with Darrin Gobble
12/14/2024

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

___
Follow us on social!
Ins...