The Parks Podcast

The Parks Podcast

The Parks Podcast will take listeners on a journey to regional, state and national parks around the United States. We will learn why the parks were created and explore planning your own visit to parks.

Episodes

January 12, 2026 47 mins

Step into a cathedral of giants. In this episode of The Parks Podcast, host Missy Rentz journeys to the misty shores of Northern California to explore Redwoods National and State Parks.

Join us as we sit down with Patrick Taylor, the park’s Interpretation and Education Program Manager, to uncover why this park is so much more than just a collection of big trees. We dive into the "arranged marriage" between the state and fe...

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Kick off the New Year with First Day Hikes - a day to celebrate in our State Parks all around the United States. In this epsiode we'll learn about the origin of First Day Hike, and all the opportunities to play in parks around the country this January 1.

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Indiana State Parks is kicking off winter with hikes, bird watching, light tours, and more.

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New York State Parks & Historic Sites is celebrating winter with hikes, snow and ice activities, craft & creating activities and more.

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Virginia is for Lovers...and park lovers! This winter, the Virginia State Parks have activities for all ages and abilities.

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Hueston Woods State Park is hosting the holidays with movies, breakfast with Santa, hikes, and more. Learn more in this episode.

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Malabar Farm State Park is an historic farm, and former home to Louis Bromfield. Visit the park during the holiday season to visit the historic home all decked out in its holiday best.

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Winter is a great time to explore our parks and public lands.  Arizona State Parks & Trails offers a variety of activities, including hikes, boat parades, luminary tours, and more. Listen to this episode to learn about all the great things happening in Arizona this holiday season and for First Day Hikes!

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Finding a community to join and explore our parks is a great entry into outdoor Adventures.  Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison started GirlTREK with the mission of increasing the life expectancy of black women by 10 years in 10 years.  With more than 1 million members, GirlTREK is changing lives and building community. 

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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!

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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.

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"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 recreate responsibly? 

In this episode we talk to Matt Mo...

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Sierra Club's Military Outdoors program provides our veterans the chance to get outdoors and opportunities for community, camaraderie, and healing.

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 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.

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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.

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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 out Maryland and all of the opportunities to get outsi...

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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