Journey south of the Equator to explore one of the most remote and culturally rich gems in the National Park System. In this episode, host Missy Rentz sits down with PT Lathrop, the Superintendent of the National Park of American Samoa, to dive into what makes this park a true bucket-list destination.

Spanning three islands—Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta'ū—this park preserves the only paleo-tropical rainforest in the United States and some of the most diverse coral reefs in the world. From "Big Mama" (one of the largest known corals on Earth) to the majestic Samoan flying foxes (fruit bats with three-foot wingspans), PT shares the incredible biodiversity that calls these islands home.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Birthplace of Polynesia: Why American Samoa is considered the cultural heart from which the Hawaiian, Tahitian, and Maori cultures grew.
• A Unique Partnership: How the park operates on land leased directly from the Samoan people, ensuring the preservation of the fa’asamoa (the Samoan way of life).
• The "COVID of Corals": The conservation challenges facing the reefs, including Stony Coral Tissue Loss disease and the impact of terrestrial development.
• Planning Your Journey: Practical tips for visiting, including the best months for whale watching, navigating the outer islands, and why you should pack your own snorkel gear.
• Innovative Interpretation: A look at the park’s new pilot program that allows visitors to request customized tours based on their interests and schedules.

Whether you're an avid hiker looking for rope-ladder adventures on the Fatifati Trail or a marine enthusiast dreaming of the turquoise waters of Ofu, this episode is your guide to the 50th National Park.

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Is your park pass still valid? We’re talking with artist Jenny McCarty about the sticker that shook the Department of the Interior. As the 2026 NPS pass becomes a political lightning rod, we dive into a sticker controversy, the administration's crackdown on modified passes, and the role of art in protecting the spirit of our public lands. The parks didn't ask to be part of the debate—but they’re right in the middle of it.

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Guest: Kate Severson, Program Manager for Interpretation, Outreach, and Partnership

Grab your life jacket and your sense of adventure! In this episode, we head to Northern Minnesota to explore Voyageurs National Park, a landscape defined by its interconnected waterways, ancient geology, and the spirit of the French-Canadian fur traders who gave the park its name.

Host Missy Rentz sits down with Kate Severson to discuss the park’s unique 50-year history and why this "difficult to get to" destination is a must-visit for any national park enthusiast. We dive into the grueling daily life of the historical Voyageurs (who paddled up to 18 hours a day!), the delicate balance of wetland conservation, and the legacy of the artists and conservationists who fought to protect this wilderness.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The History of the Voyageurs: Why these "commercial truckers of the 1700s" had to be short, strong, and incredibly resilient.
• Indigenous Roots: How the knowledge and technology of the Ojibwe and Anishinaabe people made the fur trade possible.
• Conservation in Action: What "floating islands" of invasive cattails are and how the park uses fire and machinery to restore native marshes.
• Planning Your Visit: The difference between front country and backcountry camping (hint: they both require a boat!) and how to experience the park in the winter via its famous Ice Road.
• Hidden Gems: From the Ellsworth Rock Gardens to the photography of June Fujita.

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This episode of The Parks Podcast explores the deep connection between our national landscapes and the stories that define us. Host Missy Rentz sits down with Beth English, Executive Director of the Organization of American Historians (OAH), to discuss why preserving "unvarnished" history is essential for our future.

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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 federal government that keeps the park running, the counter-intuitive science of "cutting trees to save the forest," and the spiritual connection that visitors from all over the world feel when walking among 2,000-year-old sentinels.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The "Basketball vs. Football" Analogy: Understand the physical differences between Coastal Redwoods and Giant Sequoias.
• Redwoods Rising: Why 2/3 of the park was logged before it was protected and how scientists are "thinning" forests to restore them to their former glory.
• The Return of the Condor: The incredible success story of the Yurok Tribe’s efforts to bring the California Condor back to its ancestral home.
• Angel Rings & Clones: The fascinating way Redwoods reproduce and create perfect "fairy circles" of trees.
• Practical Trip Planning: Why you need two different apps to manage your camping and your hiking, and why you should "keep the first thing the first thing."

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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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