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The Parks Podcast, host Missy Rentz sits down with Jeanelle Soland and Rob Pelton from the Subaru Leave No Trace traveling team to bust the biggest myths about outdoor recreation. With a staggering 13 billion trips taken into the outdoors each year, human impact is skyrocketing—but the solution isn't rules and shaming, it’s a total mindset shift.

Discover the secret science behind the 7 Leave No Trace Principles (complete with hilarious hand motions!), the shocking environmental truth about why your dog's poop is actually an "invasive species," and how a powerhouse coalition slashed E. coli in a famous Arizona creek by 42%.

Whether you're embarking on a grueling 5-day backcountry trek or just hitting the local swings, this episode is your ultimate guide to becoming an everyday steward of the places we love. Tune in to upgrade your outdoor toolkit, drop the judgment, and learn how to protect the planet—one actionable step at a time!

• Leave No Trace
• Leave No Trace 101 Course
• Leave No Trace - How you can help
• Story on Oak Creek in Arizona
• Leave No Trace Social Media
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • TikTok

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Grab your hiking boots and get ready to journey through the "People’s Park." In this episode, host Missy Rentz welcomes Cinda Waldbuesser, President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), to explore the legendary Appalachian Trail (AT).

Spanning nearly 2,197.9 miles from Georgia to Maine, the AT is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. Cinda dives into the unique "three-legged stool" management system that keeps the trail running—a partnership between federal agencies, the ATC, and an incredible army of over 5,000 volunteers.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Stats: From the 16.9 million visits in 2025 to the elevation gain equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest 16 times.
• Through-Hiking vs. Day-Hiking: Why you don’t need to spend six months in the woods to enjoy the AT, and how the "trail community" supports everyone from casual walkers to "flip-floppers."
• Planning & Safety: Essential tips on using the AT Camp registration, managing food in bear country, and the importance of layering for unpredictable mountain weather.
• History & Heritage: The 1921 vision of Benton MacKaye and the upcoming Trail Days celebration in Damascus, Virginia.
• Recovery & Resilience: How the trail community rallied following the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Whether you’re dreaming of a thru-hike or just looking for a Saturday afternoon escape, this episode is a love letter to one of America’s most iconic public lands.

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What started as a simple Instagram account to document outdoor adventures quickly evolved into a nationwide movement. In this episode of The Parks Podcasat, host Missy Rentz sits down with Justin Yoder, the founder and executive director of LGBTQ Outdoors.

Justin shares the "happy accident" that led to the creation of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that now spans over 23 states with dozens of ambassadors. They dive deep into the unique barriers minority communities face in nature—from the need for visible representation to the simple, grounding act of "touching grass."

Episode Highlights

• The Origin Story: How a personal quest for community in Texas grew into a national organization.
• Breaking Barriers: Why symbols like pride flags and anti-discrimination clauses matter in outdoor spaces.
• Outdoor Fest & Adventure Trips: Details on curated excursions to Glacier, Zion, and Yellowstone National Parks.
• The Power of "Slow Outdoors": Challenging the misconception that you have to be an elite athlete to be "outdoorsy."
• How to Join: Tips on finding local chapters, joining Facebook groups, and becoming an ambassador.

Links from the conversation

• LGBTQ Outdoors Website
• LGBTQ Outdoors Local Chapters

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