Expedition National Parks

26/12/2022

How fun would it be to hear this recorded?

Rockin' around the Grand Canyon
It's 1.8 billion years from bottom to top.
Metamorphic schists way down deep,
Intruded by igneous rocks (or dikes).

Rockin' around the Grand Canyon
Where trilobite fossils cling.
Later we'll have crinoids too,
dragonflies, and fossil fern leaves.

You will be in sedimentary layers
When you hear,
Names like Tapeats, Bright Angel, Temple Butte..
Redwall Limestone, Surprise Canyon, Supai Group.

Rockin' around the Grand Canyon
Have a Happy Holiday.
Step back in time, merrily,
Before the rest erodes away!

—K. Stewart

NPS file photo of winter at Mather Point on the South Rim.

24/06/2022

In recent years, we have shared the NPS Visitor Spending Effects model with many international colleagues, a tool that shows how visitor spending in communities near national parks has a positive economic impact. The 2021 report was just issued, showing that @ 297 million visitors contributed $42.5 billion to the nation's economy, supporting 322,600 mostly local jobs. For more information - https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1778/vse2021.htm

16/03/2022

Former President Obama is the narrator of this new documentary series. Did you know that he declared more new national monuments than any other President?

An epic five-part series narrated by President Barack Obama that invites viewers to celebrate and discover the power of our planet’s greatest national parks ...

28/01/2022

🔆January Outdoor Organization Feature🔆

During the month of January, we are highlighting the work of in our community effort to showcase organizations who are working towards social justice and more inclusive public lands

Latino Outdoors is a unique, Latinx-led organization working in support of a national community of leaders in outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental education. As part of this work, they focus on expanding and amplifying the Latinx experience in the outdoors. They provide leadership, mentorship, and professional opportunities and serve as a platform for sharing oft-overlooked cultural connections and narratives that will bolster the collective outdoor movement. Latino Outdoors is a space for the community to be present, share their voices, and showcase how an ethic of conservation and roots in nature have been ingrained in la cultura Latina for generations.

Latino Outdoors strives to make the outdoors a safe and welcoming place for all people, regardless of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, ability, language, and nationality. This extends beyond their outdoor programming to their core values as an organization, especially one that understands the history and power of public policy and legislation in protecting public lands and landscapes that we enjoy today, but that many times came at the expense of communities that were marginalized and displaced.

Follow their Instagram Outdoors for more information on their advocacy work. We invite you to join us in making a donation to support Latino Outdoors during the month of January and beyond. More information can be found at latinooutdoors.org.

📷: Latino Outdoors

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10/12/2021

🔆December Outdoor Organization Feature🔆

This month we’re shining a light on the important work of Big City Mountaineers (BCM).

In the past 30+ years, this Colorado-based organization has given more than 10,000 young people from underrepresented urban communities the opportunity to “connect with nature and develop their strengths, skills and resilience.”

BCM offers professionally led, fully outfitted and free backcountry trips to kids aged 8 to 18.

On these immersive trips into nature, whether overnight camping experiences or week-long expeditions, these young participants uncover their own sources of physical, emotional and psychological strength and resilience, finding confidence, serenity and joy in the process. They push themselves in ways they never could in cities, while the social, physical and mental barriers they face are also thoughtfully addressed.

If you’ve had the opportunity to experience the transformative power of nature yourself, we invite you to join us in making a donation to Big City Mountaineers. Your contribution will help to provide more kids from disinvested and underrepresented communities with a meaningful and possibly life-changing experience in America’s wilderness.

📷: BCM

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26/11/2021

🔆November Outdoor Organization Feature🔆

This month we are highlighting the work of Native Womens Wilderness whose
mission is: to inspire and raise the voices of Women in the Outdoor Realm; to encourage a healthy lifestyle within the Wilderness; and to provide education of the Ancestral Lands and its People.

Outdoor enthusiast Jaylyn Gough founded Native Women's Wilderness in 2017 as an Instagram group. She was frustrated by the lack of representation for both women and Native Americans in outdoor spaces. She also sought recognition for the Native roots of public lands. She expanded it into a non-profit in 2018. Check out their website (bit.ly/NWWExp) to learn more and to donate.

📷: Native Womens Wilderness

10/09/2021

May we never forget.

06/09/2021

Congratulations Pullman National Monument, National Park Service ! We learned so much during our visit in March 2020 - listen to episode 5 (bit.ly/ExpNaPa) to find out more. Can’t wait to go back to visit the new visitor center.

26/07/2021

28/06/2021

Took these photos merely steps away from our campsite. Our three day camping trip at Dry Tortugas National Park was incredible. What are you waiting for? Start planning your own adventure today. First step: listen to our last episode (bit.ly/ExpNaPa). We found « Dry Tortugas Camping » FB group very helpful. And Yankee Freedom of course for booking as well ad camping info.

27/06/2021

Dry Tortugas National Park is part of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program in recognition of a dramatic and brave 1847 self-emancipation attempt. The information below is taken from a NPS brochure; read the full brochure via the link in bio.

As described in our last episode (link in bio), the construction of Fort Jefferson—and all of its 16 million (!!!) bricks— was long and took place under arduous conditions. Enslaved African Americans played a key role in the construction of the fort and made up around 20 percent of the workforce, responsible for some of the most difficult tasks under very difficult conditions.

“Shortly after midnight on July 10, 1847, seven enslaved African Americans fled Garden Key. Over the lengthy construction of Fort Jefferson, large numbers of enslaved workers were employed by the U.S. Army. The conditions were harsh, and the hopes of escape virtually nonexistent. Freedom seekers faced incredible odds. Surrounded by miles of open sea and treacherous reefs, perhaps no area in North America presented greater challenges to self-emancipation. Undaunted by these long odds, these seven men set out on an impossible task.

The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program recognizes important efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bo***ge. The Network to Freedom Program celebrates the heroism of freedom seekers, and acknowledges the people of all races who risked everything to make these dreams come true. Together, they endured the unendurable; together, they helped to change the future.”

25/06/2021

History, stillness, migratory birds, stargazing, turquoise waters, snorkeling, fishing, and so much more… Dry Tortugas National Park has it all. We were lucky to camp there last year and enjoyed every single minute. Listen to our latest episode (bit.ly/ExpNaPa)) to learn more and start planning your own adventure.

24/06/2021

One of the parks in California that left a huge impact on Linda M, the Bucket List Traveler, is the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. She said that while it takes some coordination to visit, the story and memories from that site are so important and... heartbreaking.

The 77th anniversary of the Port Chicago disaster is July 17. Register to attend the commemoration by July 9 via bit.ly/PCCommemoration

Listen to Linda M. share more about the importance of national parks in our last episode.

Check out episode 3 to hear personal recollections of the tragedy from the extraordinary Betty Reid Soskin, whom we also featured in episode 16.

Listen to episodes: bit.ly/ExpNaPa

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07/06/2021

Happy World Oceans Day from Channel-Islands-Nationalpark ! Listen to our current episode (bit.ly/ExpNaPa) to hear from Linda Mohammad about her work with Channel Islands Park Foundation, the important role such friends groups play in supporting national parks, and the fulfillment that volunteerism brings.

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04/06/2021

One of Linda Mohammad’s favorite National Park Service sites is César E. Chávez National Monument. It tells the story of the most important Latino leader of the 20th century and his work with farm workers and allies to establish the first permanent agricultural union. Dolores Huerta and Filipino-American Larry Itliong were key to the success of the movement. Currently closed, check the website for operational updates and to take a virtual tour.

Hear directly from Linda about the importance of historical and cultural NPS sites, as well as diversity and inclusion, in our latest episode (bit.ly/ExpNaPa).

📸: Linda Mohammad


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01/06/2021

As Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month comes to a close, we want to celebrate the role that role models such as Linda Mohammad play in promoting diversity and inclusion in the national parks.

Listen to our latest episode (bit.ly/ExpNaPa) featuring excerpts from our conversation on Clubhouse, including questions from Sandra Buzanowski RamosRamos, about Linda’s personal journey as well as her volunteer work with Channel Islands Park Foundation

📸: Linda Mohammad

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17/05/2021

Happy Bicentennial Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM)! Congratulations on this milestone and look forward to seeing how TALIM continues to impact the community.

Learn more about the building's history and the work of TALIM from the director of TALIM, John Davis, in our latest episode (bit.ly/ExpNaPa).

16/05/2021

The American Legation in Tangier, a U.S. National Historical Landmark since 1982, celebrates its bicentennial tomorrow. Listen to our latest episode (bit.ly/ExpNaPa) to learn from John Davison, former diplomat and director of Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies, what makes it so unique.

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07/05/2021

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is currently closed to visitors but amazing virtual programs and performances are available. We learned so much from Ranger Jon during our visit.

Hear more from Ranger Jon about the origins of jazz on our latest podcast episode (bit.ly/ExpNaPa).

01/05/2021

🔆May Outdoor Organization Feature🔆

This month we are sharing the work of Get Out, Stay Out / Vamos Afuera as part of a broader community effort to showcase organizations who are working towards social justice and more inclusive public lands.

Founded by Karen Ramos, this 501(c)3 based on the California Central Coast is committed to increasing diversity and representation for people of color, especially indigenous youth, within the outdoor industry. They also work to provide opportunities to kids to run, play, and discover themselves in the natural world. Such outdoor recreation allows them to connect with nature and themselves, increasing their self-confidence, leadership skills, all while building community.

Please consider a donation to support their work - 100 percent of your donation will go to youth excursions: vamosafuera.org/give-money

📷: Courtesy of Get Out.Stay Out/Vamos Afuera

01/05/2021

Born in New Orleans and appreciated all over the world! No better way to celebrate International Jazz Day, the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month, than by releasing our episode on our visit to New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park (bit.ly/ExpNaPa). We discuss the legends who served as Jazz Ambassadors and share excerpts from lecture-concerts by Ranger Jon and Kyle A. Roussek. We learned so much thanks to both of them!

30/04/2021

Congratulations to Amtrak on its 50th anniversary. Photos of the partnership between National Park Service Amtrak, , featured in today’s celebration, headlined by President Joe Biden.

Amtrak is a great way to visit national parks. Check out episodes 11 and 12 (bit.ly/ExpNaPa) to learn more about our experiences and the program.

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24/04/2021

Explore, Learn, and Protect is the Junior Ranger motto, which we have adopted as ours as well. Today is Junior Ranger Day and we are thankful to all the Rangers and volunteers who have helped us learn so much! Completing the Junior Ranger program is always the highlight of any park visit, including the ones to Fort Bowie National Historic Site Guadalupe Mountains National Park Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Fort Davis National Historic Site

Check out all the different programs that you can complete online as well.

juniorrangerday

20/04/2021

Are you on Clubhouse yet? If not, send a DM for an invitation so you can join us in Apr 21 at 7:30 pm EST for a special Wayback Wednesday conversation with Ranger Gary from Biscayne National Park . An accomplished storyteller and interpreter who has appeared on The Moth, he will revisit the past and memories of park visits but also celebrate the present.

Excited to be joined by co-moderators National Park Patch Lady
The Centennial: A Journey Through America’s National Park System
Everybody's National Parks
Linda - thebucketlisttraveler
Amanda - nationalpark_familyquest
1000s of parks visited and so much knowledge between all those represented.

Can’t wait and hope you are able to join tomorrow or future rooms in the National Parks and WH Sites club.

18/04/2021

Celebrating Volunteer Sunday of National Park Week! We are so grateful to the more than 300,000 (!!!) volunteers who help the National Park Service achieve its mission, and make the experience more engaging and educational for the visitors. We are always impressed by their dedication and extensive knowledge.

Thanks to extraordinary volunteer Willem at Montezuma Well - part of Montezuma Castle National Monument - we learned about the history of the place itself but also water rights and law in other countries as compared to the U.S. We also learned that an important Civil War battle occurred at Pecos National Historical Park and we were so intrigued we arranged to visit months later.

Learn more about Pecos NHP’s role as a cultural crossroads in Episode 7 (bit.ly/ExpNaPa)

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07/04/2021

🔆April Outdoor Organization Feature🔆

This month we are sharing the work of Camp Founder Girls in our community effort to showcase organizations who are working towards social justice and more inclusive public lands.

Established by Mattie Landry in 1924 in San Antonio, Texas, Camp Founder Girls is America’s first Historically Black Summer Camp for Girls.

In the summer of 2019, (Black Outside, Inc America's first summer overnight camp for black girls. Today, Camp Founder Girls carries on the proud legacy of Founder Girls past by providing an immersive week-long overnight camp centered on bravery, confidence, creativity, and strength.

Follow for the latest info on this year’s summer camp scheduled for June 19-24, 2021. Check out their website (campfoundergirls.org) for more info and to donate.

📷: Courtesy of

05/04/2021

President Johnson was known to be humorous and a good storyteller. The most unique item at Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum was definitely this animatronic .

Listen to episode 19 (bit.ly/ExpNaPa)to hear stories about Lady Bird Johnson and her work as a conservationist.

04/04/2021

Whether a peeps diorama or a photo, the historic 3-day camping trip of President Roosevelt and John Muir will never be forgotten. Did we do it justice? 😃

: “In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt visited and was guided by naturalist John Muir. The two men spent three memorable nights camping, first under the outstretched arms of the Grizzly Giant in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, then in a snowstorm atop five feet of snow near Sentinel Dome, and finally in a meadow near the base of Bridalveil Fall. Their conversations and shared joy with the beauty and magnificence of Yosemite led Roosevelt to expand federal protection of Yosemite, and it inspired him to sign into existence five national parks, 18 national monuments, 55 national bird sanctuaries and wildlife refuges, and 150 national forests.”

03/04/2021

First Lady Lady Bird Johnson begins “Showcase for the Nation: The Beautification Program” with her definition and vision of beatification. With the idea of using Washington, DC as an example for the country, it became a “Showcase for the Nation.”

Watch the full 23 minute Navy Films -produced recording and listen to our last episode to learn all about Lady Bird Johnson’s contributions to the conservation movement (links via bit.ly/ENPlinks).

🎥: , from the moving film collection created by Navy Films

01/04/2021

Our visit to Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park exposed us to the power and impact First Lady Lady Bird Johnson had not only on President Johnson but the nation, not least in the area of conservation and national parks. Our appreciation of her grew during our visit the next day to Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum and subsequent research online where we learned about her meticulous diary keeping.

Learn more—from Lady Bird Johnson herself through audio diary excerpts and other sources—about her motivation, kinship with nature, partnership with Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, and all that she did to earn her the title of “Shadow Secretary of the Interior” in our just launched episode (bit.ly/ExpNaPa).

📷: Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum photo by Robert Knudsen (Lady Bird Johnson and Stewart Udall rafting on the Snake River at Grand Teton National Park )

30/03/2021

Such a special season...

It's that time of year again when nature reminds us of the international connections between the U.S. and Japan, thanks to the gift of thousands of Japanese cherry trees, now in bloom on The National Mall's Tidal Basin, and all throughout the greater DC region. https://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2021/03/30/stories/1063728753?utm_campaign=edition&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eenews%3Aclimatewire

27/03/2021

There is a special relationship between Big Thicket National Preserve (photos 1-2) and Big Cypress National Preserve (3-4) as they are the first National Preserves created in the United States. This category of preservation was a new concept and the culmination of many proposed bills and decades of community lobbying, which Maxine Johnston was such an important part of, for a park. As a preserve, Big Thicket still enjoys protections of a national park but in an attempt to balance between conservation and resource use, certain activities like hunting and oil and gas extraction are permitted and controlled.

Our last episode (bit.ly/ExpNaPa) explains Maxine Johnston's role in the creation and preservation of

26/03/2021

Big Thicket National Preserve Visitors Center is a great place to start your visit and learn more about the parks's incredible biodiversity. So diverse that it is recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

Referred to as the “biological crossroads of North America,” it hosts one of the the most diverse assembly of species in the world thanks to its equally diverse habitats in a transition zone: southeastern swamps, eastern deciduous forests, central plains, pine savannas, and dry savannas.

There are more than 1,320 species of trees, shrubs, and grasses; 60 mammal species, 86 reptile and amphibian, 97 fish species, 300+ bird species, and the list goes on.

Listen to our latest/episode 18 (bit.ly/ExpNaPa) to learn more.

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23/03/2021

In honor of Women’s History Month, we focus on the impact of Maxine Johnston—self-described conservation gadfly—on the creation of Big Thicket National Preserve

Listen to our newly launched episode (bit.ly/ExpNaPa) to not only learn about Maxine Johnston and the power of citizen lobbying, but also about the biological diversity and recreation opportunities offered by Big Thicket.

Special thanks to Shannon Harris and 91.3 KVLU Public Radio for allowing us to share an excerpt of her interview with Maxine from Bayoulands Talks.

📷: Lamar University Special Collections and Archive

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