Podcast appearances and mentions of Forest service

Commercial Huckleberry pickers and those who make a living off the industry are upset with the Forest Service. The agency is cutting them out of the business but allowing local tribes to harvest. It's a touchy subject, but one we think people should know and talk about.

According to a new investigation from ProPublica, the U.S. Forest Service knew for years that firefighters were wearing clothing containing “forever chemicals” for years. Abe Streep, a reporter at ProPublica, joins us to discuss his story.

WhoSusan Cross, Vice President of Operations at Aspen Skiing Company (and former Mountain Manager of Snowmass)Recorded onNovember 14, 2025 - which was well before I traveled to Snowmass and chased Cross around a bit in the pow. There she is tiny in the distance:About Aspen Skiing CompanyAspen Skiing Company (Skico) is part of something called Aspen One. Don't ask me what that is because even though they rolled it out two years ago I still have no idea what they're talking about. All I know or care about is that they own four ski areas and here is what I know about them:Don't be fooled by the scale of the map above - at 3,342 acres, Snowmass is larger than Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands combined. The monster 4,400-foot vert means these lifts are massively shrunken to fit the map - Snowmass operates three of the 10 longest chairlifts in America, and seven chairlifts over one mile long:You can't ski or ride a lift between the four mountains, but free shuttles connect them all. Aspen Mountain, Highlands, and Buttermilk are all bunched together near town, and Snowmass is a short drive (15 to 20 minutes if traffic is clear and dependent upon which base area you want to hit):Why I interviewed herAmerican ski areas will often re-use chairlifts or snowcats that other operators have outgrown. Aspen Mountain re-used a whole town.In 1879, Aspen the city didn't exist, and by 1890 more than 5,000 people lived there. They came for silver, not snow. In less than a decade they laid out the Victorian street grid of brick and wood-framed buildings using hand tools and horses, with the Roaring Fork River as their supply road.Aspen's population collapsed in the economic depressions of the 1890s and didn't rebound to 5,000 for 100 years. The 1940 Census counted 777 residents. That was 16 years before the first chairlift rose up Ajax, a perfect ski mountain above an intact but semi-abandoned town made pointless by history.It was an amazing coincidence, really. Americans would never build a ski town on purpose. That's where the parking lots go. But hey it all worked out: Aspen evolved into a ski town that offset its European walk-to-the-chairlifts sensibility with a hard-coded American refusal to expand the historic street grid in favor of protectionism and mansion-building. The contemporary result is one of the world's most expensive real estate markets cosplaying as a quaint ski town, a lively and walkable mixed-use community of the sort that we idealize but refuse to build more of. Aspen's population is now around 7,000, most of whom live there by benefit of longevity, subsidy, inheritance, or extreme wealth. The city's median household income is just over $50,000. The median home price is $9.5 million. Anyone clinging to the illusion that Aspen is an actual ski town should consider that it took 25 years to approve and build the Hero's chairlift. Imagine what the fellows who built this whole city in half a decade without the benefit of electricity or cement trucks or paved roads would make of that.The illusory city, however, is a dynamic separate from the skiing. Aspen, despite its somewhat dated lift fleet, remains one of America's best small ski mountains. But it is small, and, with no green terrain and barely any blues, the ski area lacks the substance and scale to draw tourists west of Summit County and Vail.Sister mountain Snowmass does that. And while Snowmass did not benefit from an already-built town at its base, it did benefit from not having one, in that the mountain could evolve with a purpose and speed that Ajax, boxed in by geography and politics, never could. Snowmass has built 13 new aerial lifts this century, including the two-station, mountain-redefining Elk Camp Gondola; the Village Express six-pack, which is the fourth-longest chairlift in America; and, in just the past two years, a considerably lengthened Coney high-speed quad and a new six-pack to replace the Elk Camp chairlift.I've focused on Aspen's story a bit over the years (including this 2021 podcast with former Skico CEO Mike Kaplan), but probably not enough. The four Aspen mountains are some of the most important in American skiing, even if visitation doesn't quite match their status as skiing word-association champion among non-skiers (more on that below). Aspen, a leader not just in skiing but in housing, the environment, and culture, carries narrative heft, and the company's status as favored property of Alterra part-owner Henry Crown hints at deeper influence than Skico likely takes credit for. Aspen, like Big Sky and Deer Valley and Sun Valley, is rapidly emerging as one of the new titans of American skiing, unleashing a modernization drive that should lead, as Cross says in our conversation, to an average of at least one new lift per year across the portfolio. Snowmass' 2023 U.S. Forest Service masterplan envisions a fully modern mountain with snowmaking to the summit. Necessary and exciting as that all is, forthcoming updates to the dated masterplans at Aspen Highlands (2013) and Buttermilk (2008), could, Skico officials tell me, offer a complete rethinking of what Aspen-Snowmass is and how the ski areas orbit one another as a unit.And they do need to rethink the whole package. Challenging Skico's pre-eminence in the Circle of American Ski Gods are many obstacles, including but not limited to: an address that's just a bit remote for Denver to bother with or tourists to comprehend; a rinky-dink airport that can't land a paper plane; an only-come-if-you-have-nine-houses rap on the affordability matrix; a toxic combination of one of America's most expensive season passes and most expensive walk-up lift tickets; and national pass partners who do a poor job making it clear that Aspen is not one ski area but four.A lot to overcome, but I think they'll figure it out. The skiing is too good not to. What we talked about“I thought I had found Heaven” upon arrival in Aspen; Aspen in the 1990s; $200 a month to live in Carbondale; “as soon as you go up on the lifts, the mountain hasn't changed”; when Skico purchased formerly independent Aspen Highlands; Highlands pre-detachable lifts; four ski areas working (and not), as one ski resort; why there is “minimal sharing” of employees between the four mountains; why “two winter seasons, and then I was going back to Boston” didn't quite work out; why “total guilt sets in” if Cross misses a day of skiing and how she “deliberately” makes “at least a couple of runs” happen every day of the winter and encourages everyone else to do the same; Long Shot in the morning; the four pods of Snowmass; why tourists tend to lock onto one section of the mountain; “a lot of people don't realize their lift ticket is good for the four mountains”; “there's plenty of room to spread out and have a blast” even at busy Snowmass; defining the four mountains without typecasting them; no seriously there are no green runs on Aspen Mountain; the new Elk Camp six-pack; why Elk Camp doesn't terminate at the top of Burnt Mountain; why Elk Camp doesn't have the fancy carriers that came with 2024's new Coney Express lift; why Snowmass opted not to add bubbles to its six-packs; how Coney Express changed how skiers use Snowmass; why Coney is a quad rather than a six; why skiers can't unload at the Coney Express mid-station (and couldn't load last season); how Coney ended up with a mid-station and two bends along the liftline; the hazards of bending chairlifts and lessons learned from Alta's Supreme debacle; why Snowmass replaced the Cirque Poma with a T-bar (and not a chairlift); which mountain purchased the old Poma; Aspen's history of selling lifts and how the old Elk Camp wound up at Powderhorn ski area; where Skico had considered moving the Elk Camp quad; “we want everybody to stay in business”; why Snowmass didn't sell or relocate the Coney Glade lift; prioritizing future chairlift upgrades; the debate over whether to replace Elk Camp or Alpine Springs first, and why Elk Camp won; “what we're trying to do is at least one lift a year across the four mountains”; a photobomb from my cat; why the relatively new Village Express lift is a replacement candidate and where that lift could move; why we're unlikely to see the proposed Burnt Mountain chairlift anytime soon; and the new megalift that could rise on Aspen Mountain this summer.What I got wrong* I said that Breck had “T-bars serving their high peaks,” which is incorrect. In fact, Breck runs chairlifts close to the summits of Peak 8 (Imperial Superchair, the highest chairlift in North America), and Peak 6 (Kensho Superchair). I was thinking, however, of the Horseshoe T-Bar, an incredible high-alpine machine that I rode recently (it lands below Imperial Superchair on Peak 8).* I said that Maverick Mountain, Montana, was running a “1960-something” Riblet double. The lift dates to 1969, and is slated for replacement by Aspen Mountain's old Gent's Ridge fixed-grip quad, which Skico removed in 2024.* I referred to the Sheer Bliss chairlift as “Super Bliss,” which I think was fallout from over-exposure to Breck, where 12 of the chairlifts are named [SOMETHING] Superchair or some similar name.Why you should ski Aspen-SnowmassWhy do we ski Colorado? In some ways, it's a dumb question. We ski Colorado because everyone skis Colorado: the state's resorts account for 20 to 25 percent of annual U.S. skier visits, inbounds skiable acreage, and detachable chairlifts. Colorado is so synonymous with skiing that the state basically is skiing from the point of view of the outside world, especially to non-skiers who, challenged to name a ski resort, would probably come up with Vail or Aspen.But among well-traveled skiers, Colorado is Taylor Swift. Talented, yes, but a bit too obvious and sell-your-kidneys expensive. There's a lot more music out there: Utah gets more snow, Idaho and Montana have fewer people, B.C.'s Powder Highway has both of those things. Europe is cheaper (well, everywhere is cheaper). Colorado is only home to 26 public, lift-served ski areas, and only two of the 10 largest in America. Only seven Colorado ski areas rank among the nation's 50 snowiest by average annual snowfall. Getting there is a hassle. That awful airport. That stupid road. So many Texans. So many New Yorkers. Alternate, Man!But we all go anyway. And here's why: Colorado ski areas claim 14 of the 20 highest base areas in North America, and 16 of the 20 highest summits. What that means is that, unlike in Tahoe or Park City or Idaho, it never rains. Temperatures rarely top freezing. That means the snow that falls stays, and stays nice. Even in a mediocre Rocky Mountain winter – like this one – Colorado is able to deliver a consistent and predictable trail footprint in a way that no other U.S. ski state can match. Add in an abundance of approachable, intermediate-oriented ski terrain, and it's clear why America's two largest ski area operators center their multi-mountain pass empires in Colorado.Which brings us back to the thing most skiers hate the most about Colorado skiing: other skiers. There are just so many of them. And they all planned the same vacation. For the same time.But there is a back door. Around half of Colorado's 12 to 14 million annual skier visits occur at just five ski areas: Vail Mountain, Breck, Keystone, Copper, and Steamboat – often but not always strictly in that order. Next comes Winter Park, then Beaver Creek. And all the way down at number eight for Colorado annual skier visits is Snowmass.Snowmass' 771,259 skier visits is still a lot of skier visits. But consider some additional stats: Snowmass is the third-largest ski area in Colorado and the 11th-largest in America. From a skier visits-to-skiable-acreage ratio, it comes in way below the state's other 2,000-plus-acre ski areas (save Telluride, which is even more remote than Aspen):Why is that? The map explains it: Snowmass, and Aspen in general, lost the I-70 sweepstakes. They're too far west, too far off the interstate (so is Steamboat, but at least they have a real airport).Snowmass is worth the extra drive time. I-70 through Glenwood Canyon is slow-going but gorgeous, and the 40 miles of Colorado 82 after the interstate turnoff barely qualify as mountain driving – four lanes most of the way, no tight turns, some congestion but only if you're arriving in the morning. A roundabout or two and there you are at Snowmass.And here's what that extra two hours of driving gets you: all the benefits of Colorado skiing absent most of its drawbacks. Goldilocks Mountain. Here you'll find the fourth-highest lift-served summit in American skiing, the second-tallest vertical drop, and a dizzying, dazzling modern lift fleet spinning 20 lifts, including 9 detachables and a gondola. You'll find glorious ever-cruisers, tree-dotted and infinite; long bumpers twisting off High Alpine; comically approachable green zones at the village and mid-mountain. If Campground double is open, you can sample Colorado skiing circa 1975, alone in the big empty lapping the long, slow lift. And since the Brobots hate Snowmass, the high-altitude Hanging Valley and Cirque Headwall expert zones are always empty.That's one of four mountains. Towering, no-greens-for-real Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands are as rugged and wicked as anything a Colorado chairlift can drop you onto. And Buttermilk is just delightful – 2,000 vertical feet of no-stress-with-the-9-year-old, with fast lifts back to the top all day long.Podcast NotesOn Sugarbush and Mad River GlenI always like to make this point for western partisans: there is eastern skiing that stacks up well against the average western ski experience. Most of it is in northern Vermont, and two of the best, terrain-wise, are Alterra-owned Sugarbush - home of the longest chairlift in the world - and co-op-owned Mad River Glen, which still spins the only single chair in the lower 48. Here's Sugarbush:Mad River Glen is right next door. Just keep going looker's right off Mt. Ellen:On pre-Skico HighlandsWhoa that's a lot of lifts. And they're almost all doubles and Pomas.On Joe HessionHession is founder and CEO of Snow Partners, which owns Mountain Creek ski area, the Big Snow indoor ski ramp in New Jersey, Snow Cloud resort-management software, the Snow Triple Play Pass, and the Terrain Based Learning concept that you see in beginner areas all over America. He's been on the pod a few times, and he's a huge fan of Susan's.On Timberline's wonky vertMeasuring vertical drop is a somewhat hazardous game. Potential asterisks include the clandestine inclusion of hike-up terrain (Aspen Highlands), ski-down terrain with no return lift access (Sunlight), or both (Arapahoe Basin). Generally, I refer to lift-served vert, meaning what you can ski down and ride back up without walking. But even that gets tricky, as in the case of Timberline Lodge, Oregon, home to the tallest vertical drop in American lift-served skiing. We have to get mighty creative with the definition of “lift” however, since Timberline includes a 557-vertical-foot lift-served gap between the top of the Summit chairlift (4,290 feet) and the bottom of the Jeff Flood high-speed quad (4,847 feet). This is the result of two historically separate ski areas combining in 2018:Timberline's masterplan calls for a gondola from the base of Summit up to the top of Jeff Flood:For now, skiers can ski all the way down, but have to ride back up to Timberline from the Summit base via shuttle. To further complicate the calculus here, the hyper-exposed Palmer high-speed summit quad rarely runs in winter, acting mostly as a summer workhorse for camp kids. When Palmer's not running, a snowcat will sometimes shuttle skiers close to the unload point.Anyway, that's the fine print annotating our biggest lift-served vertical drop list:On Big Sky's new lifts and pod-stickingSnowmass' recent lift upgrade splurges are impressive, but Big Sky has built an incredible 12 aerial lifts in the past decade, 11 of them brand-new. These are some of the most sophisticated lifts in the world and include two six-packs, two eight-packs, a tram, and two gondolas. This reverse chronology of Big Sky's active lifts doubles as a neat history of the mountain's evolution from striver importing other resorts' leftovers to one of the top ski areas on the continent:Big Sky still has some older chairs spinning along its margins, but plenty of tourists spend their entire vacation just lapping the out-of-base super lifts (according to on-the-ground staff). The only peer Big Sky has in the recent American lift upgrade game is Deer Valley, which has erected nearly a dozen aerial lifts in just the past two years to feed its mega-expansion.On the Ikon Pass site being confusing as to mountain accessI just find the classification of four separate and distinct ski areas as one “destination” confusing, especially for skiers who aren't familiar with the place:On the new Elk Camp chairliftThe upside of taking nine years to distribute this podcast is that I was able to go ride Snowmass' gorgeous new Elk Camp sixer:On my Superstar lift discussion with KillingtonOn Aspen's history of selling liftsI somewhat overstated Aspen's history of selling lifts to smaller mountains. It seemed like a lot, though these are the only ones I can find records of:However, given Skico's enormous number of retired Riblets (28, all but two of which were doubles), and the durability and ubiquity of these machines, I suspect that pieces – and perhaps wholes – of Aspen's retired chairlifts are scattered in boneyards across the West.On the small number of relocated detachable lifts Given that the world's first modern detachable chairlift debuted at Breckenridge 45 years ago, it's astonishing how few have been relocated. Only 19 U.S. detaches that started life within the U.S. are now operating elsewhere in the country, and only nine moved to a different ski area:On Powderhorn's West End chairThe number of relocated detachables is set to increase to 10 next year, when Powderhorn, Colorado repurposes Snowmass' old Elk Camp quad to replace this amazing, 7,000-foot-long double chair, a 1972 Heron-Poma machine:Elk Camp is already sitting in a pile beside the load station (Powderhorn officials tell me the carriers are also onsite, but elsewhere):Powderhorn's existing high-speed quad, the Flat Top Flyer, also came used, from Marble Mountain in Canada.On Snowmass' masterplan and the proposed Burnt Mountain liftSnowmass' most recent U.S. Forest Service masterplan, released in 2022, shows the approximate location of a future hypothetical Burnt Mountain chairlift (the left-most red dotted line below):Unfortunately, Cross and the rest of Skico's leadership seem fairly unenthusiastic about actually building this lift. Right now, skiers can hike from the top of Elk Camp chair to access this terrain.On Aspen's Nell-Bell ProposalOh man how freaking cool would it be to ride one chairlift from Aspen's base to the top of Bell? Cross and I discuss Aspen Mountain's Forest Service application to do exactly that, with a machine along roughly this line parallel to the gondola:The new detachable would replace two rarely-used chairs: the Nell fixed-grip quad and the Bell Mountain double chair, which, incredibly, dates to 1957 (with heavy modifications in the 1980s), making it the fourth-oldest standing chairlift in the nation (after Mt. Spokane's 1956 Vista Cruiser Riblet, Mad River Glen's 1946 American Steel & Wire single chair, and Boyne Mountain's Hemlock Riblet double, moved to Michigan in 1948 after starting life circa 1936 as America's first chairlift – a single standing at Sun Valley).I lucked out with a gondola wind hold when I was in Aspen a few weeks back, meaning Nell was spinning:Sadly, Bell was idle, but I skied the liftline and loaded up on photos:On the original Lift 1 at AspenBehold Lift 1 on Aspen Mountain, a 1946 American Steel & Wire single chair that rose 2,574 vertical feet along an 8,480-foot line in something like 35 or 40 minutes. Details on this lift's origin story and history vary, but commenters on Lift Blog suggest that towers from this lift ended up as part of Sunlight's Segundo double following its removal from Ajax in 1971. That Franken-lift, which also contained parts from Aspen's Lift 3 – which dated to 1954 and may have been a Poma or American Steel & Wire machine, but lived its 52-year Sunlight tenure as a Riblet – came down last summer to make way for a new-used triple – A-Basin's old Lenawee chair.On the Hero's expansionAt just 826 acres, Aspen Mountain is the most famous small ski area in the West. The reason, in part, for this notoriety: a quirky, lively treasure chest of a ski area that rockets straight up, hiding odd little terrain pockets in its fingers and folds. The 153-acre Hero's terrain, a byzantine scramble of high-altitude tree skiing opened just two years ago, fits into this Rocky Mountain minefield like a thousand-dollar bill in a millionaire's wallet. An obscene boost to an already near-perfect ski mountain, so good it's hard to believe the ski area existed so long without it.Here's a mellow section of Hero's:And a less-mellow one (adding to the challenge, this terrain is at 11,000 feet):The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Mindful Hunter Podcast, I sit down with outdoor photographer Sam Averett to talk about hunting, storytelling, and the strange intersection between the two. Sam and I first met on a mountain goat hunt in British Columbia — the kind of hunt that makes you feel like you're standing on the moon. But beyond the mountains, Sam has quietly built one of the most respected careers in hunting media, working behind the camera with some of the biggest brands and personalities in the outdoor space. We dive into how Sam went from growing up hunting out the back door in eastern Oregon to working for the Forest Service and eventually making the leap into full-time photography. Along the way we talk about mentorship, breaking into the outdoor industry, and why relationships matter more than talent early in your career. The conversation also explores something that doesn't get talked about enough: the tension between documenting the hunt and actually experiencing it. In a world full of influencers and constant content, Sam made a deliberate choice to stay behind the camera and focus on the craft rather than building a personal brand around dead animals and social media validation. We also get into the art of capturing real moments in the mountains, the difference between filming your own hunts versus having someone document them, and why some of the most powerful stories in hunting might still be told through writing and print rather than short digital films. This is a thoughtful conversation about creativity, authenticity, and staying grounded in an industry that's changing fast. If you've ever wondered what goes on behind the lens of the best hunt films and photos in the industry — this episode is for you.   Sam Averett https://www.instagram.com/samaverett/ https://www.samaverett.com/   Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/   Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/   Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop   Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact   IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/   Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast   Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools      

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. Episode 79 is Part 2 of a 3 part series on The State of Ultrarunning. In this part, John and guests Gordon Harvey, Mike Gamp, and Megan Storms tackle the increasingly complex world of land management, legal liability, and the "tragedy of the commons" currently facing ultrarunning. John pulls back the curtain on how some race directors are operating in "gray areas" to bypass permit restrictions—and how these short-sighted decisions are triggering a massive ripple effect that threatens access for everyone, from running stores to collegiate teams. Topics in Part 2: The Permitting Crisis: How a few "at all costs" race directors are causing the U.S. Forest Service to reconsider rules for every trail user. The Liability Myth: Why recent court rulings in Colorado have made your race waiver "meaningless" and what that means for the future of entry fees. Search & Rescue Realities: The sobering truth about how long it actually takes for help to arrive when things go wrong in the backcountry. Gatekeeping vs. Safety: Should hard races have stricter qualifiers? A look at the "couch-to-100-miler" trend and the rise of the "unprepared runner." The In-Crowd & The Oligarchy: A candid look at the power dynamics of the "Five Families" of ultrarunning and why the sport needs more "rabble-rousers." This is the second of a three-part series. Stay tuned for Part 3, where John delivers his official "State of the Sport Address."

Pe'Sla is a high-elevation meadow in the Black Hills widely recognized as an Indigenous sacred site. The U.S. Forest Service has cleared an administrative path for graphite mining nearby.

The U.S. Government openly calling the phenomenon “demons.” A real, active portal guarded by the Forest Service next to ancient ruins. Is this the literal return of Enki… or the most sophisticated information operation in decades?​​If you are having a mental health crisis and need immediate help, please go to​ ​​​https://troubledminds.org/help/ and call somebody right now. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength. ​ ​ ​ ​​​LIVE ON Digital Radio! Https://www.kuapdb.com/ ​​http://www.troubledminds.org ​ ​ ​ ​​https://www.troubledminds.net ​​​​Support The Show! ​ ​ ​ ​​https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/troubled-minds-radio--4953916/support ​ ​ ​ ​​https://ko-fi.com/troubledminds ​ ​ ​ ​​https://patreon.com/troubledminds ​ ​ ​ ​​https://www.buymeacoffee.com/troubledminds ​ ​ ​ ​​https://troubledfans.com ​ ​Friends of Troubled Minds! - ​ ​ ​ ​​https://troubledminds.org/friends ​ ​​​Show Schedule Sun--Tues--Thurs--Fri 7-10pst ​iTunes - ​ ​ ​​​​https://apple.co/2zZ4hx6 ​Spotify - ​ ​ ​​​​https://spoti.fi/2UgyzqM ​TuneIn - ​ ​ ​​​​https://bit.ly/2FZOErS ​Twitter - ​ ​ ​​​​https://bit.ly/2CYB71U ​​​​​----------------------------------------​​https://troubledminds.substack.com/p/aliens-demons-and-portals-the-return​​https://x.com/Holden_Culotta/status/2027887416678170729​​https://x.com/The_Astral_/status/2028153761823076394​​https://x.com/The_Astral_/status/2028123298068853135​​https://grokipedia.com/page/Enki​​https://grokipedia.com/page/Demon​​https://grokipedia.com/page/Extraterrestrial_lifeThat's another dive into the mysteries they don't want you exploring here on Troubled Minds Radio. Keep Your Mind Troubled: If today's episode challenged your perception of reality, you're exactly where you need to be.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and hit that notification bell so you never miss our investigations into the unknown.Your five-star rating and review helps other truth-seekers find us in this sea of mainstream disinformation. Join the Community: Connect with nearly 1,000 fellow researchers in our Discord server, follow @TroubledMindsR on X for breaking updates, and support independent media by upgrading to Spreaker Prime for exclusive bonus content.Share Your Truth: Got a paranormal encounter, conspiracy evidence, or inside knowledge they're covering up? Email troubledmindsradio@gmail.com - your story could be featured on an upcoming episode. This is your host reminding you that in a world of manufactured narratives, questioning everything isn't paranoia...

What does it really take to build a tree service business from the ground up while working full-time as a firefighter? In this episode, we sit down with Cole Ingram, owner of Emma Creek Tree Service in Kansas, to talk about his journey from wildland firefighting to running a fast-growing tree service business. Cole shares how his early experience cutting trees with the Forest Service gave him the skills to start on the side, why growth was slow at first, and what finally caused his business to take off in a big way. We dive into starting with minimal equipment, grinding through the early years, finding a niche in rural and farm properties, and how adding the right people and equipment completely changed the trajectory of the business. Cole also opens up about the challenges of balancing firefighting with entrepreneurship, when it starts to make sense to go all-in, and what scaling responsibly really looks like in the tree service industry. If you're a tree service owner, a blue-collar entrepreneur, or someone thinking about turning your skills into a business, this conversation offers real insight into what steady, sustainable growth actually looks like. Take a moment to listen in and see what lessons you can apply to your own journey. Join our FREE facebook group - Tree service marketing secrets! https://www.facebook.com/groups/treeservicemarketingsecrets Download our Ultimate Internet Marketing Checklist FREE: https://treeservicedigital.com/free-checklist/ Listen to our Podcast @ https://treeservicedigital.com/podcast/ Follow our new LinkedIn Page : https://www.linkedin.com/company/tree-service-digital-marketing/  

GAO reviewed how agencies work with Tribes to share decisions on natural and cultural resources and found that while these agreements can provide meaningful, long‑term participation, they're built unevenly from agency to agency. Some agencies have the legal authority to create deeper partnerships, while others, including the Forest Service and NOAA's marine sanctuaries don't, limiting Tribal influence over similar lands and waters. We'll explore what it will take to close those gaps with GAO's Anna Maria Ortiz.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we discuss the Congressional Review Act. This fast-track law allows a simple majority in Congress to overturn agency rules and permanently bars those agencies from creating any "substantially similar" regulations in the future. We also cover a few news stories including:A new Forest Service proposal would shorten public comment periods to as little as 10 days and move official notices from newspapers to government websites while using AI to summarize feedback. A new citizen petition aims to ban the commercial sale of fur through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting on March 4 and 5. A new study reveals that wolves frequently scavenge mountain lion kills, forcing lions to hunt deer over elk to minimize the time spent at vulnerable kill sites. Another new study suggest that hunting vocal toms during peak breeding periods may reduce overall reproductivity, sparking discussions about shifting season dates to better protect populations. HJR 140 is still up for a senate vote. The resolution threatens protections upstream of the boundary waters canoe wilderness area. Theodore Roosevelt IV has issued an open letter urging the Senate to vote against HJR 140, arguing that the resolution favors foreign mining interests and ignores sound science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fighting wildland fires is dangerous enough. The smoke exposure, changing conditions and mental health risks can be daunting, for even experienced firefighters. But federal wildland firefighters across the country were also wearing pants containing potentially dangerous PFAS chemicals, according to reporting this month from ProPublica. Officials at the U.S. Forest Service knew about that risk for years, before it became public knowledge. In Washington, fire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer and just last year, western Washington experienced its largest fire in a generation. Reporter Abe Streep covered all of this for ProPublica, and he talked with KUOW's Paige Browning. Related Links Firefighters Wore Gear Containing “Forever Chemicals.” The Forest Service Knew and Stayed Silent for Years. “It Feels Impossible to Stay”: The U.S. Needs Wildland Firefighters More Than Ever, but the Federal Government Is Losing Them Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Brian continues reading from his upcoming book The Sheriff of Bigfoot Country, picking up with Part Four as the story reaches a turning point that changes everything. The classified Mount St. Helens documents reveal the full scope of Project Vulcan, a secret government operation to recover the bodies of creatures killed in the 1980 eruption. Military teams moved in under the cover of legitimate rescue operations, extracting remains before civilian responders could find them.Medical reports describe three survivors, including one creature that lived for nearly three weeks before giving up and dying in a government facility. The autopsy findings are staggering, pointing to a species with cranial capacity far exceeding modern humans and brain structures suggesting complex language and abstract reasoning.Four witnesses who were there in 1980 finally break their silence. A county sheriff who watched them load bodies onto helicopters. A helicopter pilot who flew the remains to a facility in Nevada. A trauma surgeon who held the hand of a dying creature she called George. A Forest Service employee who saw a massive hand slip from beneath a tarp. Each one was threatened into silence for forty years. Each one is done carrying that weight.The documentary gets picked up by a major streaming platform, and then gets killed two weeks before air when shadowy forces pressure the network into pulling it. Brian and Amanda fight back by releasing everything online, piece by piece, and the response is overwhelming. Millions of views. Hundreds of new witnesses stepping forward. The cover-up begins to crumble.But being sheriff has become impossible. The county commissioners question Brian's sanity. The hate mail piles up alongside letters from grateful witnesses across the country.And on a rainy Tuesday night, Daniel suggests something that will change the course of Brian's life: a podcast. That conversation leads to the birth of Sasquatch Odyssey, and the beginning of a new chapter.This is where the badge meets a bigger calling, and Brian has to decide which fight matters most.Email BrianGet Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.

Today's Headlines: Attorney General Pam Bondi's House Oversight testimony devolved into a chaotic shouting match, yielding few answers about the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files. Bondi repeatedly deflected, bizarrely citing stock market highs as a more appropriate topic, and accused Rep. Thomas Massie of having “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The most notable takeaway: Bondi appeared to confirm the DOJ tracked which Epstein-related documents Democratic committee members reviewed, raising fresh concerns about internal surveillance. In Congress, six House Republicans joined Democrats to pass a resolution blocking Trump's Canada tariffs, which were imposed without congressional approval. The Senate passed a similar measure earlier, but Trump can veto it, and the Supreme Court—currently reviewing the tariffs—has yet to rule. Several quieter policy shifts drew scrutiny. The Institute of Museum and Library Services revised federal grant guidelines to prioritize “uplifting and positive” patriotic narratives aligned with Trump executive orders, signaling a shift away from apolitical, merit-based funding. In New York, the Pride flag was removed from the Stonewall National Monument following a federal ban on “non-agency” flags in national parks. Environmental rollbacks accelerated as the EPA moved to reverse its finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health, while the Federal Judicial Center removed climate science guidance from its judges' manual after political pressure. ProPublica also reported the U.S. Forest Service concealed knowledge that firefighters' gear contained cancer-linked PFAS chemicals. Finally, a deep-red Oklahoma special election delivered a surprise: Democrats overperformed by roughly 30 points, marking their strongest showing in the district in nearly two decades. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NBC News: Pam Bondi hearing devolves into shouting matches with Democrats over Epstein and DOJ prosecutions NYT: House Votes to Cancel Trump's Canada Tariffs ProPublica: Institute of Museum and Library Services Grant Guidelines Take Political Turn Under Trump NYT: Pride Flag Is Removed From Stonewall Monument After Trump Directive Axios: EPA's "endangerment finding" rescission looms ProPublica: Federal Judicial Center Pulls Climate Change Chapter From Official Manual for U.S. Judges ProPublica: Firefighters Wore Gear Containing “Forever Chemicals.” The Forest Service Knew and Stayed Silent for Years. Newsweek: Democrat Overperforms by 30 Points in Deep Red Oklahoma Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Paulson talks about Outdoor Story Telling, Tradeshows, Hunting, and more Episode Summary Kevin Paulson joins Rick Saez to talk about growing up in a U.S. Forest Service family, how hunting shaped his life, and the path that led him from guiding and outfitting to founding HuntingLife.com and later stepping into the role of Executive Director at AGLOW Outdoors. Kevin breaks down what "authentic" outdoor media really means today, why podcasting is exploding, how AI will challenge creators, and why every creator needs to start building an email list now. He also shares how AGLOW conferences and media camps work, why networking is everything, and what gear he's most excited to test this year. In This Episode, You'll Hear Kevin's upbringing around public lands and the Forest Service (and how it shaped his values) Hunting "in his dad's hip pocket" starting at age five Why he launched HuntingLife.com (and how the 2007–2009 economy forced a pivot) What AGLOW is, why it matters, and how it evolved from local newspaper columns to modern creators Why authenticity + trust beats "information" (especially in an AI-driven content world) The biggest threat in outdoor media: AI "slop content" and the fight for attention The most underrated asset: your email list Why niche audiences ("100 true fans") often beat massive reach Kevin's "year of the coyote" and what predator control looks like on working ranch land OutdoorHive.com: a job resource built specifically for the hook-and-bullet + trade show industry Gear, books, and advice for new outdoor communicators Memorable Quotes "Connection and authenticity—at the end of the day—that's what wins." "It's more important to have an audience of a hundred that loves you than a hundred thousand that may or may not pay attention." "Begin tomorrow… building your own mailing list." "Proximity is power—be in the room with the people doing the things." Resources & Links Mentioned HuntingLife.com OutdoorHive.com: AAGLOW Organizations mentioned: Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, RMEF, Ducks Unlimited, NWTF, SCI, POMA, OWAA Books Kevin mentioned: The Old Man and the Sea (Hemingway) A Sand County Almanac (Aldo Leopold) Peter Ryan titles, including The Hunting Life and Wild South (as referenced in the interview) About Kevin Paulson Kevin Paulson is a lifelong outdoorsman, entrepreneur, and advocate for hunting and conservation. He's the founder of HuntingLife.com, creator of OutdoorHive.com, and serves as the Executive Director of AGLOW Outdoors, one of the oldest hook-and-bullet media organizations in the industry. Connect with Kevin Social: @HuntingLife (most platforms) Kevin Paulson LinkedIn  Email: kevin@atglowoutdoors.com kevin@huntinglife.com kevin@outdoorhive.com Sponsor / Partner With the Show Hey there, adventure crew—want to reach 4,000+ outdoor lovers each week? Promote your brand, product, destination, or project to an audience of campers, hikers, and adventure travelers. Email Rick: rick@ricksaez.com Facebook   Instagram Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! I'd love to hear your feedback about the show! You can contact me here: rick@ricksaez.com

Welcome to the Gnar Couch Podshow, where mountain bikes, questionable humor, and barely functioning attention spans all pile onto a metaphorical homeless couch and roll down a metaphorical hill. This week, we're joined by San Francisco legend and urban bike ninja Teddy Hayden, whose riding and viral videos have gotten him more attention from the Forest Service than Rob's last attempt at a show intro (which, let's be real, went about as well as a beer spill in Cheef's lap). We dig in on Teddy's infamous $50,000 fine for shredding cliffs near the Golden Gate Bridge, the ongoing war between mountain bikers and government trail cops (spoiler: none of it could've just been an email), and a surprisingly passionate debate about which bike components we could live without (dropper posts and seats—are you brave enough?). There's also a deep investigation into the true nutritional value of "pussy is low-carb," a couple wiener jokes, and the classic Gnar Couch running gag: Rob forgetting to wrap up the show and the eternal confusion about who's actually supposed to write those episode descriptions. If you're here for serious bike technique or clean comedy, you're outta luck. But if you want stories about human poop on trails, debates about Trader Joe's ravioli, and a group of barely-adult hosts breaking down the finer points of mountain bike culture (with a little self-deprecating banter and bathroom humor), this episode is for you. Strap in, get ready to laugh at our expense, and prepare for at least one beer spill, a few botched intros, and possibly a confession or two that should never see daylight. Guest info: Teddy Hayden Check out our store for sick shirts. Got to our Patreon and give us money. We've added old episodes, downloadable songs, and give you early access to raw, uncut shows for only $4.20/month. We all ride TRP brakes. They're the best. Buy some. Thanks to crankbrothers and Hyland Cyclery for always keeping the bikes running. Get 30% off BLIZ sunglasses and more with the code "sponchesmom".  

When host Janet Michael talks with Rosemary Wallinger and Laura Fogle for this episode of The Valley Today, she expected a straightforward conversation about local history. What unfolded instead was a remarkable story of discovery, perseverance, and the fight to preserve a crucial piece of American—and African American—heritage that has been hiding in plain sight for nearly 90 years. A Tale of Two Camps Rosemary, president of the CCC Legacy organization, and Laura, the vice president, share how Shenandoah County is home to two historically significant Civilian Conservation Corps camps. While Camp Roosevelt is well-known as the nation's first CCC camp, Wolf Gap - located just 22 miles away - has remained virtually unknown. "Nobody here that we've talked to, other than maybe three people, had ever heard of it," Rosemary reveals. "So we are giving concentrated effort to get it into public awareness." Both camps were among the first ten CCC camps established in the nation. But there's a crucial difference: Wolf Gap became one of the very first African American CCC camps in the country, opening just one month after Camp Roosevelt in 1933. Roosevelt's New Deal in Action As the women explain, the CCC was born from desperation. When Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933, 15 million Americans were unemployed. People were starving. The CCC became one of his fastest-activated New Deal programs, up and running within weeks of his inauguration. The scale was staggering: over 3 million men employed across 4,500 camps nationwide, including 250,000 African Americans and 80,000 Native Americans. Young men—officially aged 17 to 25, though many lied about their age to enroll as young as 15—earned $30 a month. Twenty-five dollars went directly home to their families; they kept just $5 for themselves. "It was another great stimulus program for the whole country," Laura explains. "The guys that were working got to keep $5 a month and their families got the other 25 back home to spend on groceries and needs. The communities around the CCC camps profited because they supplied the food. The farmers had work, the mercantiles had work, the lumber yards had work." The average enrollee gained 35 pounds during their service—a stark testament to the poverty they'd escaped. They learned carpentry, metalworking, and conservation skills. Those who couldn't read or write were taught in camp classes. The Accomplishments History Forgot During the conversation, Rosemary rattles off Wolf Gap's impressive achievements: 16,000 acres of trees planted, 45 miles of road built, 60 miles of horse trails, 100 miles of telephone line, 50 miles of roadside naturalization, and three miles of stream improvement. The camp protected 100,000 acres of local forest, fought a three-day fire at Cedar Creek in 1935, and rescued more than 1,200 residents from floodwaters in March 1936. "Their accomplishments were just astonishing," Rosemary says. "It's shocking that it's unknown to have a list of accomplishments that long, and yet nobody even knows they were here," says Janet. The infrastructure these young men built—in national parks, state parks, and forests across America—still stands today, a testament to the quality of their work. A Serendipitous Discovery Rosemary's discovery of Wolf Gap came while researching her family's involvement in the 1880 race riot at Columbia Furnace. On the Edinburg Memories website, she found a post from Helen Larkin Burton describing how, as a young girl in her father's store, she watched "the boys from the Wolf Gap CCC" come to shop. It was, Burton wrote, the first time she'd ever seen a Black person. "I thought, what CCC are we talking about at Wolf Gap?" Rosemary recalls. She contacted a local historian who confirmed it: "Best kept secret in Shenandoah County." That discovery sparked a grassroots movement. Rosemary assembled a team of dedicated women to pursue state byway designation for Route 675, the road connecting both camps. They succeeded in getting the byway designation and are now working to have it officially named the Shenandoah County CCC Memorial Byway. The Segregation Story The conversation delves into the painful reality of segregation within the CCC. Though African American legislator Oscar De Priest had declared there would be "no discrimination according to race, creed, or color," Robert Fechner, a southerner who helped administer the program, declared that "separate was not unequal." Wolf Gap started as a white camp in its first year but became an African American camp in 1934 when administrators realized they hadn't factored in "how deeply segregated the south still was in the thirties," as Laura explains. African American camps were intentionally placed in remote areas, presumably to avoid racist confrontation. The irony, Rosemary notes, was that when African American enrollees worked battlefields to the point where tourists wanted to visit, they were often transferred to another remote location. Local populations frequently protested the placement of these camps. Finding the Descendants One of the team's greatest accomplishments, shared emotionally during the conversation, was connecting with Roy Allen Cooper, whose father, Oswald Bentley Cooper, was an enrollee at Wolf Gap. While serving, Oswald met Evelyn McAfee from Woodstock. They married and raised nine children—eight boys and one girl named Georgia—on Water Street and Spring Street in Woodstock. Roy's brother Bobby became a well-known local restaurateur, first as the opening cook at the Spring House restaurant in 1973, then running his own establishment. Roy now serves on the CCC Legacy board, providing a vital personal connection to Wolf Gap's history. The Research Challenge "The white CCC was well recorded, records up your wazoo," Rosemary says candidly during the conversation. "But the history of the Black camps is just sparse and what's there is difficult to find." The team has uncovered treasures, including a regional annual with the only known photographs of Wolf Gap enrollees—two large portraits showing the men's names and hometowns. Many came from a community in Southwest Virginia called Agricola, offering potential leads for finding more descendants. Rosemary's research has also uncovered broader stories, including the Preston Lake Rebellion in upstate New York, where African American enrollees trained as leaders were told to step down when white enrollees joined the camp. The men rebelled for three days before being sent back to Harlem—a story that even New York State's historical resources department didn't know about. The Interpretive Center and What's Next The women discuss the James R. Wilkins Sr. Interpretive Center at the US Forest Service Office in Edinburg—a partially completed museum dedicated to CCC history. Wilkins supervised projects at both camps. His son, Jimmy, has been a primary funder along with his sister Donna. The center is open to the public but unfinished. The organization is working to finalize a new agreement with the US Forest Service. As Laura emphasizes in the conversation, 2033 will mark the hundredth anniversary of the CCC's birth, and Camp Roosevelt was the first CCC camp in the nation. "Virginia was truly the epicenter of the CCC," she says. "The state of Virginia needs to embrace that history." Why This Matters When board member Colette Sylvestri presented to 300 students at George Mason University, the most frequent question was: "Why weren't we taught this?" "So much of the history of the CCC in general has just fallen by the wayside," Laura laments. Many people in their forties have never even heard of the Civilian Conservation Corps, let alone understand its contribution to the nation. The CCC didn't just build infrastructure—it restored America. As Laura puts it: "These men who built this country, really the CCC restored the United States of America to what it became after World War II." How to Get Involved The CCC Legacy welcomes new members at $35 annually. Members receive quarterly publications including bulletins and a journal with stories from CCC camps across the country. The organization also offers presentations to civic groups and is actively seeking volunteers, particularly web developers to help update their website at ccclegacy.org. For those with family connections to the CCC, the National Archives has digitized enrollee names, making it possible to search for relatives online. As the conversation wraps up, Rosemary makes a simple request: "Spread the word that this is a thing. We want people to know that this is our history." Both Camp Roosevelt and Wolf Gap are accessible to visitors today. Camp Roosevelt operates as a Forest Service campground with interpretive signage throughout. Wolf Gap, currently undergoing Forest Service renovations, will soon have its own signage installed. Standing at these remote, quiet sites at dusk, Rosemary shares, "I can hear the voices" - a poignant reminder that history isn't just about dates and statistics. It's about the young men who slept in West Virginia, walked to Virginia for breakfast, and built the America we know today. To learn more about the CCC Legacy organization, visit ccclegacy.org or find them on Facebook. Donations can be mailed to CCC Legacy, PO Box 341, Edinburg, VA 22824.

For twenty-six years, Dale wore the badge—and kept a secret he couldn't afford to share.Now retired after nearly three decades as a deputy sheriff in a rural southeastern county bordering a vast national forest, Dale finally breaks his silence. During his career, he experienced six separate Sasquatch encounters—stories he kept buried until turning in his badge in late 2025.His experiences span decades and defy easy explanation.In 1994, Dale witnessed a massive, upright creature cross a two-lane highway directly in front of his patrol car. Years later, a night spent at a remote campground left him shaken after hearing unmistakable wood knocks and a distant, haunting howl—one he now recognizes as identical to the infamous Ohio Howl recording.But Dale's story doesn't end with his own encounters.As a trusted figure in his community, people came to him when they had nowhere else to turn. An elderly cattle farmer who carried the memory of a face-to-face encounter for more than forty years. The sister of a logger who finally revealed her brother's terrifying experience on a remote timber road in the 1980s. And two chilling accounts from one of Dale's closest friends—a Forest Service law enforcement ranger who discovered massive footprints and complex tree structures deep in the backcountry, and who later endured a harrowing night as something circled his tent for twenty minutes before sitting down forty feet away, silently watching him in the darkness.

In this newscast: Nineteen people have applied to be the Juneau school district's next superintendent, according to search firm McPherson & Jacobson; Alaska's largest professional theater indefinitely postponed a run of its show in Anchorage this spring due to financial concerns; The Juneau Assembly will vote Monday night on whether to approve $2.3 million worth of city funding to support five proposed affordable housing projects; Alaskan Dream Cruises, a Sitka-based cruise line, is closing its doors; After proposing to build a new cabin near Juneau's Herbert Glacier, the U.S. Forest Service released a draft decision last month abandoning it.

 The U.S. Forest Service is responsible for over 370,000 miles of roads and around 160,000 miles of trails, much of which are on federal lands. But, a government report from 2013 found that only about a quarter of these trails met safety or maintenance standards. Even more recent, in November an internal report from the agency showed a 100% loss of trail staff and widespread declining morale. What do we lose when we don’t maintain our trails? What do these trails across the country, and in Oregon, tell us about our history? And what challenges do staff and volunteers maintaining these routes face today? Dillon Osleger is a writer and public lands analyst. His forthcoming book “Trail Works” releases in May and he had a recent story in RE:PUBLIC and High Country News. He joins us to answer these questions and more.

Guest: Dr. Marcus Williams, Research MeteorologistWildfire is one of the most complex weather-driven hazards we face — shaped by wind, terrain, fuel, and timing, where the forecast isn't just about what happens next, but about keeping people safe in real time. Behind every major fire response and every carefully planned prescribed burn is a team of scientists working to understand those conditions down to the finest detail. Today, we're joined by Dr. Marcus Williams, a research meteorologist with the U.S. Forest Service whose work sits at the intersection of science, operations, and on-the-ground decision-making. We'll talk about what it takes to provide weather support during major California fires, why prescribed fire depends so heavily on getting the forecast right, and how USFS research is shaping the future of fire weather forecasting.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Wildfire and Meteorology00:51 Marcus Williams: Journey to Meteorology04:58 Role of Meteorologists in the US Forest Service07:46 Experiences in Wildfire Deployment10:52 Understanding Prescribed Fires12:33 Break 112:40 Meteorological Tools in Prescribed Fires15:32 Challenges in Fire Management18:14 Weather Modeling and Its Applications21:09 Break 221:40 Leadership and Mentorship in Meteorology25:46 Future of Meteorology in Fire ManagementSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Photo: Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin. (Ty Nigh / Flickr) Ojibwe tribes in the Great Lakes region are raising concerns about Trump administration plans to remove a rule that limits road building in national forest land, as Chuck Quirmbach reports. The Roadless Rule is a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) policy that for 25 years has curtailed building or reconstructing roads in the national forests. There have also been limits on commercial timber harvesting in roadless areas that have been inventoried. Last summer, the U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA), which includes USFS, proposed rescinding the Roadless Rule. The department said that would give more decision-making authority to regional forest managers and improve access for fighting fires. But the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission – which serves eleven Ojibwe tribes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan with treaty-protected hunting, fishing, and gathering rights – backs the Roadless Rule. Commission spokesperson Jenny Van Sickle says agency scientists looked at how the rule has protected five national forests in what is called the Ceded Territory. She says the federal government has a responsibility to enforce treaty rights there. “That’s wild rice. That’s tapping maples for sap to make sugar. These are real activities, they’re not theoretical. These are federal responsibilities that remain in place. So, to try to kick that to regional foresters doesn’t make a lot of sense.” Van Sickle says there are already many roads in the national forests. She says if the Roadless Rule needs amending, the tribes are willing to talk. “If the rule needs work, we want to be at those tables. We want to talk about those problems. We want to get to those solutions. We can do that together. We’ve worked very closely and formally with the Forest Service for nearly 30 years.” A USDA spokesperson says the agency remains committed to a consultation process with the tribes and, if the Roadless Rule ends, land use decisions would still need to comply with specific forest or grassland management plans and other applicable laws – all developed with public involvement. (Courtesy OETA) Tribal leaders responded to Gov. Kevin Stitt (Cherokee/R-OK)'s final State of the State address, which he delivered Monday. Tribal leaders say Gov. Stitt misrepresents tribes. Tribes and the governor have had a rocky relationship, including disagreements over jurisdiction, gaming, and other issues. In his speech, Stitt said all laws should apply equally to all Oklahomans. “Many of us in this room have decried the [diversity, equity, and inclusion] DEI programs of the Biden administration, yet standby quietly when some say an Indian should be subject to a different set of laws.” Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton in a statement said tribes and tribal members have sovereign rights, which are not based on race but treaties and other agreements between tribal nations and the U.S. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said in a statement that the governor effectively called for the termination of tribal government, calling it rhetoric cloaked in references to DEI and race. Chief Hoskin said fortunately, Stitt spoke to a bipartisan chamber. Both leaders say they look forward to working with the legislature and other elected officials. A number of tribal leaders attended the address. The Interior Department has added the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to the official list of federally recognized tribes, formalizing the tribe's government-to-government relationship with the U.S. The agency published the updated list in the Federal Register following President Donald Trump's signing of legislation in December granting federal recognition status to the Lumbee Tribe. The list consists of 575 American Indian and Alaska Native tribal entities. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out the latest episode of Native America Calling Tuesday, February 3, 2026 – National Park Service removing historical references to Native American history

In this newscast: The North Douglas boat launch will soon reopen to the public after being closed for more than two weeks due to damage to its parking lot; As the city's Emergency Programs Manager, Ryan O'Shaughnessy leads emergency planning, response and recovery for the City and Borough of Juneau. KTOO's Mike Lane recently caught up with O'Shaughnessy to talk about lessons learned from the major storm events in December and January and how the department operates; The U.S. Forest Service is moving forward with a plan to harvest over five thousand acres of trees in the Tongass National Forest, just east of Ketchikan. A majority of that is going to be old-growth trees, which some people worry will be devastating to the forest.

The U.S. Forest Service moves forward with a plan to cut over five thousand acres of trees in the Tongass National Forest near Ketchikan. Plus, scientists have confirmed that destructive landslides are happening more frequently across Southeast Alaska, and Nome residents come up with a creative way to get rid their Christmas trees after the holiday season.

Charles and Heather Maude are fifth-generation ranchers in South Dakota who farm home raised beef and pork direct-to-consumer. In this episode they describe their family history on the land, their early lives in agriculture, and the events that led to a criminal indictment by the United States Forest Service over a disputed boundary fence. The episode documents their personal background, the mechanics of Western land use, and a detailed account of how a civil land issue escalated into a federal criminal case.Key TopicsFederal criminal indictment over a land disputeHow the case escalated from civil to criminalLegal strategy and case dismissalImpact on family, finances, and rightsPrecedent for ranchers and landownersWhat You'll LearnHow a ranching family faced and beat a federal criminal indictmentHow a routine land boundary issue escalated into criminal chargesHow federal land enforcement works in practice for ranchersThe personal, financial, and legal costs of a criminal caseWhy this case matters for landowners and producersConnect with Charles & HeatherWebsiteInstagramFacebookTimestamps00:00:00 Why this story matters 00:03:00 Heather's ranch upbringing 00:09:00 Charles's family land history 00:15:00 Growing up ranching 00:24:00 Marriage and the Atlas Blizzard 00:33:00 Ranch community and shared labor 00:35:00 Forest Service fence dispute begins 00:41:00 Meetings with federal officials 00:52:00 Civil dispute turns criminal 01:05:00 Impact of the indictment 01:22:00 Washington D.C. and case dismissal 01:27:00 Media and political pressure 01:34:00 Precedent for landowners 01:50:00 Land stewardship and politics 02:08:00 Final reflections

As a dirty high pressure ridge sits over the West, sending all the cold and snow to the east coast, the boys recount the past month and how it feels like an entire ski season has transpired. A grab bag of topics is covered this week including a Downieville mountain biker somehow getting lost on an out-and-back, the dying dream of the ski bum and instead take up wind sports in Florida, I-80 from San Francisco to Nevada ranking as the 8th most deadly highway in America and the ski patrol strike in Telluride ending with a whimper. Pow Bot asks, how long do you have to live somewhere to be considered a local? Core lords call in with some finders keepers stories and aggro locals in the lift line. A few DOPE or DERPs including drop bars on mountain bikes, Leadville 100, driving to the trailhead in ski boots, waxing your split board in one piece and poaching backcountry freshies at Sky Tavern. Also, Pow Bot pays tribute to the passing of Bobby Weir with the story of his very first Grateful Dead show at 16 years old. 3:00 – The last 25 days feels like the entirety of a full winter ski season, base build, pow, corn, melting and thinking about bikes again.5:30 – Colorado off to its worst winter snowpack in recorded history. Crazy dry across the American West.7:30 – Lack of Colorado River runoff could be devastating to the Southwest. Lake Powell and Lake Mead could go below minimum power pool, aka dead pool.11:45 – Mountain biker in Downieville gets lost riding and has to get helicopter rescued by CHP.13:00 – Pow Bot gets lost on an epic mountain bike ride in Montana.15:30 – Search and Rescue is getting overwhelmed by ill-prepared people who get lost.17:25 – Pow Bot's Florida Man adventure – don't move to an expensive ski town, move to an affordable place like Florida and get into wind sports.22:00 – The ski bum dream is dying, and season ski passes have become DERP.24:25 – Sugar Bowl mid-mountain lodge catches on fire.25:35 – Telluride ski patrol strike is over and patrollers did not get what they wanted.29:05 – Interstate 80 from San Francisco to Nevada is 8th most deadly highway in America.31:30 – Forest Service in Lake Tahoe legalizes 110-miles of non-motorized trail for Class 1 ebikes.32:50 – Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead passes. Tom tells his first Grateful Dead show story.45:45 – Core Lord Call-ins – Lee recommends Bridger Watches – Tom recommends OutMap.50:22 – More Finders Keepers in the backcountry.54:30 – Aggro local yelling at people in the lift line at Heavenly.57:00 – How long do you have to live in a place before you are considered a local?1:02:15 – Fritz comments on Sugar Bowl.1:06:20 – DOPE OR DERP – a packable backcountry rescue sled the size of a camping hammock.1:12:20 – DOPE OR DERP – waxing your split board in one piece.1:19:15 – DOPE OR DERP – driving to the trailhead in ski boots or snowboard boots.1:23:40 – DOPE OR DERP – poaching backcountry freshies at Sky Tavern.1:28:30 – DOPE OR DERP – drop bars on mountain bikes.1:36:30 – Making sure your feet are dialed in your ski boots on big hut trips.1:38:00 – How to set up a split board special mini-episode coming next week.

Momentum matters in outdoor policy, and this week's roundup captures how quickly access, conservation, and sporting rights can shift. The conversation opens with live congressional action around the EXPLORE Act, one of the most comprehensive outdoor recreation laws in decades. With implementation now underway, hunters and recreational shooters get a clearer look at how federal land agencies may be required to expand safe, accessible target shooting opportunities and improve public land access across Forest Service and BLM districts. The discussion then turns to state-level efforts that directly affect how hunting and fishing traditions are protected long term. Delaware and New Hampshire race toward becoming the 25th state to enshrine the right to hunt and fish in their constitutions, a move designed to safeguard conservation funding models and outdoor heritage for future generations. Listeners also hear about new Interior Department directives aimed at removing barriers for hunters and anglers on federal lands and waters. Freshwater fishing takes center stage with renewed debate over Florida's Rodman Reservoir, a destination largemouth bass fishery with national implications for fisheries management and angler access. The roundup closes with practical policy issues that hit close to home, including meat processor tax credits that support game meat donation programs and unique wildlife management challenges in Hawaii's diverse ecosystem. For hunters, anglers, and outdoorsmen who want to understand how legislation translates into real-world access and opportunity, this is essential listening. Get the FREE Sportsmen's Voice e-publication in your inbox every Monday: www.congressionalsportsmen.org/newsletter   Follow The Sportsmen's Voice wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/1705085498  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Vanessa Thompson sits down with Dr. Libba Pinchot, co-founder of Presidio Graduate School and the pioneer who coined the term intrapreneurship, to explore how organizations can unlock creativity, engage employees, and achieve the triple bottom line of profit, people, and planet. Drawing on real-world experience working with organizations such as Apple, IBM, Intel, HP, DuPont, Exxon, GE, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Ford, Stanford University, and the U.S. Forest Service, Dr. Pinchot shares powerful insights on building cultures of innovation, risk-taking, collaboration, and long-term value. This conversation is packed with practical lessons for leaders, entrepreneurs, and sustainability professionals alike.

In this episode, I sit down with Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore for a wide-ranging, no-filter conversation that goes where most hunting podcasts won't.We start with elk cartridges and shot placement. Real-world experience killing elk in dark timber, at bad angles, under pressure. We dig into why larger cartridges matter, how bullet construction and penetration actually work, and why “perfect broadside shots” are often a fantasy for serious elk hunters.From there, the conversation expands into wolves, wildlife management, and what Tim has personally witnessed over decades living and hunting in Idaho and the Frank Church. We talk wolf reintroduction, elk and moose population collapse, government agencies, the Forest Service, and how public land management has drifted far from actual land stewardship.Tim and Kim Sundles run a great YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@buffaloboreammoThe Fastest Way to Get Good at Elk Hunting. Period. Cliff's In-Person Elk Masterclass - https://pursuitwithcliff.com/ElkCourse---FOLLOW CLIFFYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CliffGrayInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cliffgry/Facebook - https://facebook.com/PursuitWithCliffPursuit With Cliff Podcasthttps://pursuitwithcliff.com/interviews-and-podcasts/Cliff's Hunt Planning and Strategy Membership https://pursuitwithcliff.com/membership/Hunt. Fish. Spear. (Experiences, Courses and Seminars) https://pursuitwithcliff.com/ExperiencesMerchhttps://pursuitwithcliff.com/shop/SUBSCRIBE TO CLIFF'S NEWSLETTER:https://PursuitWithCliff.com/#Newsletter

THE DEVIL WITHIN — The Wrong Road (Part Two) Months after the Mercury Montego was discovered abandoned in the snow, searchers find something deeper in the forest: A U.S. Forest Service trailer. Inside is everything that could have saved them—bunks, blankets, matches, propane… and enough food to keep multiple men alive for weeks. And in the back room—wrapped carefully in sheets—are the remains of Ted Weiher. He didn't die quickly. He likely survived for weeks. The horror of this story isn't supernatural. It isn't even mysterious. It's unbearably human. Part Two examines the theories, the folklore, and why people need this to be a conspiracy—because the truth is harder to accept: that confusion, fear, and rigid obedience to “rules” can trap a person even when salvation is right in front of them. This is not a whodunit. It's a warning.

Scientists are using video cameras and glorified fitbits to decipher the body language of trees. Geology professor Dom Ciruzzi says the way trees sway tells us a lot about tree overall health. Also: The location of trees affects home values. A study by Kevin Boyle and the U.S. Forest Service reveals that adding trees can boost home prices but there is a sweet spot where too much canopy can reduce value. Later in the show: Each year David Goodman captivates hundreds of children and families in Appalachia with a thrilling live science show, complete with flames, explosions and interactive experiments and a particular crowd favorite called Puking Pumpkins.

A couch, a non-alcoholic hazy IPA, and a confession: leaving the monastery wasn't just about tacos and rules—it was about hugging family again and answering a call to serve a world on edge. What followed is a surprising arc from Spirit Rock to healthcare to a teacher training program that's now helping seed mindfulness across the Environmental Protection Agency and beyond.We walk through the real reasons mindfulness belongs inside complex institutions: not as a perk, but as a skills-based response to stress, climate anxiety, and high-stakes decision-making. You'll hear how EPA leaders enrolled in our certification, why they're inviting more colleagues, and what a mindful federal initiative could look like across agencies like the Forest Service, Housing, and even the military. The science is clear—reduced stress and anxiety, better communication, stronger resilience—and the stories show how a short practice can change a meeting, a policy conversation, or a homecoming after work.This is a grounded look at scaling compassion without losing integrity. We talk about attention as a shared resource, how training trainers multiplies impact, and why adopting mindfulness at work naturally shifts habits at home: how we speak, what we buy and eat, and how we show up for people we love. If you care about mental health, leadership, and a more humane approach to public service, you'll find both practical tools and a dose of hope.If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review with one way you'll plant a mindful seed this week. Your practice can be the spark that lights the next room.Support the showAdd your 5‑star review — this really helps others find us. Certify To Teach Mindfulness: Certify.MindfulnessExercises.com Email: Sean@MindfulnessExercises.comAbout the Podcast Mindfulness Exercises with Sean Fargo is a practical, grounded mindfulness podcast for people who want meditation to actually help in real life. Hosted by Sean Fargo — a former Buddhist monk, mindfulness teacher, and founder of MindfulnessExercises.com — this podcast explores how mindfulness can support mental health, emotional regulation, trauma sensitivity, chronic pain, leadership, creativity, and meaningful work. Each episode offers a mix of: Practical mindfulness and meditation teachings Conversations with respected teachers, clinicians, authors, and researchers Real-world insights for therapists, coaches, yoga teachers, educators, and caregivers Gentle reflections for anyone navigating stress, anxiety, burnout, grief, or change Rather than chasing peak experiences or spiritual bypassing, this podcast emphasizes embodied practice, ethical teaching, and mindfulness that meets people where they are—messy, human, and alive. If you're interested in: Mindfulness meditation for everyday life Trauma-sensitive and co...

Federal wildland firefighters would keep their higher pay rates under the latest congressional appropriations package. The spending “minibus” maintains funding for wildland firefighters' permanent pay raise, as well as job updates that were initially included in the 2021 infrastructure law. The new appropriations package also would ‘not' adopt President Trump's plan to combine wildland firefighting forces into a single agency. According to the legislation, wildland firefighters from the Forest Service and the Interior Department would remain separate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When a U.S. Forest Service worker gets fired by DOGE, she's left scrambling to find a place to live while she finishes building her straw bale house. Luckily, she has lots of friends who not only let her couchsurf, but help with the house raising. It's an old fashioned approach to affordable housing that's catching on.

It was the late spring of 1932 when Idaho outfitter Jim Renshaw first saw the upper Selway River from the back of a horse. The packstring was led by his father, Alvin, who had been working for the U.S. Forest Service since he was 13 and had bought the Pettibone Ranch, deep in the wilderness, where Bear Creek drops into the Selway River. Jim Renshaw was two months old at that time. For the next 16 years, he, his mother and father, and two sisters lived at the Pettibone Ranch, guiding hunters in the fall and fishermen and wilderness wanderers in the summer. Jim would become one of the most famed and skilled horsemen and wilderness mule packers in the history of the Selway country, as well as an elk and mule deer guide with few equals. Today, at age 93, he remains actively engaged with his horses and mules and in his home wilderness country. This interview was recorded live at Jim's home near Kooskia, Idaho, during a visit in June 2025. The stories kept coming, the maps stayed on the table, and the coffee remained on the stove for the better part of two days. Hal was able to capture much of it in this podcast episode—nine decades of weather and work, triumph and tragedy, wildlife and even wilder people, family, camps, crashed planes, and horse wrecks—a life writ large in some of the finest and most remote country left on Earth.

In this newscast: Juneau's homeless shelter is once again offering daytime meals and other services after stopping them in August due to safety concerns; Officials say to be prepared as Juneau is expected to see frigid temperatures starting this weekend and stretching into the next couple of weeks; A U.S. Forest Service plan to revamp the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to accommodate more tourists could be upended by a lawsuit brought by a nearby homeowner; Two finalists in the running for fire chief at Capital City Fire/Rescue got a chance to share their vision for the department during public presentations earlier this week;A Juneau musician is giving his final organ performance in the State Office Building this Friday; A United States Coast Guard and Sitka Search and Rescue is searching for two overdue mariners near Sitka today

Hill leads passage of bill to transfer Forest Service building to Perry County, UACCM on track for record spring enrollment; Rialto bringing comedy show; Morrilton swept at Greenbrier; we visit with Tiffany Landon for FUMC's Cinnamon Rolls with Santa.

The U.S. House of Representatives considers H.R.2400, the Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025, on December 15, 2025. The bill places about 548 acres in trust for the Pit River Tribe. The land is currently managed by the U.S. Forest Service in northern California. Following consideration, the House approved H.R.2400 under a suspension of the rules.

Interview with Gordon Neal, President, Domestic Metals Recording date: 9th December 2025Domestic Metals has acquired a promising Montana copper porphyry project from Rio Tinto through an earn-in agreement that highlights the property's significant potential. The company can earn 60% ownership by spending $3.15 million USD on exploration work, with Rio Tinto retaining 40% plus an unusual 20% clawback provision—a protective measure that underscores the major miner's conviction in the project's long-term value.The Smart Creek-Sunrise property occupies compelling geological ground, located 50 kilometers northwest of the historic Butte mine, which has produced 22 billion pounds of copper over a century. The project sits within the same Helena formation geology, with company geologists noting that rocks match Butte's characteristics in age and composition. Rio Tinto drilled 26 of 40 total holes on the property, with results improving progressively from southeast to northwest. The best intercept to date shows 109 meters at 0.75% copper, including 80 meters at 0.97% copper, suggesting drilling was advancing toward rather than away from the porphyry center.President Gordon Neal brings proven credentials, having built MAG Silver from $50 million to $2.5 billion market capitalization and New Pacific Metals from $100 million to $1.5 billion. His track record in capital markets and project development provides credibility to the company's exploration strategy.The company recently raised $4 million to fund comprehensive IP and magnetotelluric geophysical surveys in January-February 2026, followed by 3,000+ meters of drilling starting February-March. Assay results are expected April-May 2026. A critical advantage is Montana's streamlined permitting environment, with drill permits obtained in four months versus 5-7 years in Arizona. The Forest Service recently extended 36 expired drill permits using existing paperwork—unprecedented flexibility that enables rapid, capital-efficient advancement of what could become a significant domestic copper discovery.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

On Today's Show: To Support And Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/Yesterday, USDA Leadership announced plans to move the Forest Service leadership and senior staff from D.C. to Salt Lake City.This is part of the reorganization plan, which will phase out the 9 Regions and create five hubs. This still all hinges on Congressional approval.Senators penned a letter to Forest Service Chief Schultz requesting clarification on hiring numbers, staffing, prescribed burns, and fuel mitigation numbers.They have nine specific points they want answered by December 12th of this year.The inaugural Director of the USWFS.THE HOTSHOT WAKE UP — Thank you to all of our paid subscribers. Your support allows us to donate generously to firefighter charities and supports all of our content. You also receive all of our article archives, more podcast episodes, Monday morning workouts, and also entered into our giveaways, plus more.

 The 1910 Big Burn wasn't a wildfire — it was a firestorm that outran horses, erased towns in minutes, and nearly destroyed the entire U.S. Forest Service.In August 1910, a perfect storm of drought, wind, bad policy, and impossible conditions triggered one of the most devastating disasters in American history. This is the real story of the Big Burn—and why its lessons still matter.You'll learn how disaster conditions align, why suppression shaped modern megafires, and how Ranger Ed Pulaski saved his men against impossible odds.Tap subscribe so you don't miss the next twist in history.________________________________________Related Episodes / PlaylistsThe Big Burn's most relevant companion episodes:• Piper Alpha Disaster – https://youtu.be/eBoFtdwMr6E• Disaster Files Playlist – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvguDu9efxtos3CO6X-8E05p-gX1riBPz________________________________________

Should we be logging our drinking watersheds to protect them? That's the question for residents of Walla Walla Washington, whose pristine drinking water  comes off of National Forest land.The Forest Service is planning to a major and multi-faceted project with the stated purpose of protecting Walla Walla's drinking water from wildfire.  But what about the impacts of road building and commercial logging in intact, native forest?These questions over how and whether to use so called “active management” to mitigate fire risk grow more relevant every year, and there is a growing body of evidence that, in many cases, the Forest Service is not coming up with the right answers.My guest today is Paul Lynn, a Walla Walla based mycology business owner turned community organizer. Paul has been creatively working to bring his community together to oppose commercial logging within the Walla Walla watershed, and I'm delighted to talk with him.My email is coastrangeradio@gmail.com, please let me know what you think of the show!Show Notes:https://substack.com/@wallawallawatershedtheconfluenceseries.orghttps://www.fungaia.life/ethos/https://www.instagram.com/coastrangeradio/

This episode discusses the government shutdown including the Democrats' reasons behind it and how it came to a conclusion. It also offers two solutions to prevent a future shutdown.REFERENCES:(1) Episode 11 of the Advancing the Agenda Podcast: "The Filibuster, Cloture Motion, Reconciliation, and the Nuclear Option in the U.S. Senate"(2) The 12 Appropriations Subcommittees from the Website of Congressman Mike Sampson (R-ID):Twelve Appropriations Subcommittees determine discretionary funding for government functions.  Each of these subcommittees produces one bill each year.  Subcommittees include:Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the USDA (except the Forest Service) and other agencies;Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, NASA, and other agencies;Defense, which oversees funding for the military, the intelligence community, and other national defense related agencies;Energy and Water Development, which oversees funding for the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies;Financial Services and General Government, which oversees funding for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President, and other government functions;Homeland Security, which oversees funding for the Department of Homeland Security;Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the Department of the Interior, the EPA, the U.S. Forest Service, and a number of independent agencies;Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and other agencies;Legislative Branch, which oversees funding for the House of Representatives (the Senate Legislative Branch oversees funding for the U.S. Senate), the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, and other legislative branch functions;Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for military construction (including military housing), the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies;State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, which oversees funding for the U.S. State Department, USAID, and related programs;Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, which oversees funding for the Department of Transportation, HUD, and related agencies.

Portland's rainy season can sometimes feel endless and draining. That's why today we're talking with our resident good-time expert, Eden Dawn. She's the co-author of “The Portland Book of Dates” and has plenty of ideas to enjoy our city, even when it's raining all day. She's sharing her list of the best places to go and the most fun things to do — that don't involve a ski pass.  This episode first aired Nov. 27, 2023 Activities Discussed in This Episode: Escape rooms XD Dark Ride at Wunderland Arcade Helium Comedy Club Karaoke Bagby Hot Springs (NOTE: Check with Forest Service to verify open) Rainy hikes Mox Boarding House Sonder Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.  Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 20th episode: Northwest Children's Theater Simply Eloped Portland General Electric Portland Art Museum PaintCare

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In this episode of The Range Podcast, Ricky is joined by a force to be reckoned with in the mountains of the west. Whether he's nerding out as a hydrologist with the U.S. Forest Service, hunting, skiing or biking, Josh Boyd will spend over 200 days a year in the backcountry. Josh is a Sitka Big Game Ambassador and another notable passion is his love for writing, which has donned the pages of Bowhunter Magazine, Eastmans' Bowhunting Journal and Rokslide.com. As always, Josh begins by telling us his origin bowhunting story. Ricky and Josh then talk about how a bow led to their connection and conversation, and then on to his profession, which is also a passion. Naturally as a writer, Josh finishes by telling a great story of his past Elk hunting season.  The Range Podcast can be found on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on Wild TV.  Enter Promo Code trp15 during checkout at www.vaportrailarchery.com to receive 15% off VTX Bowstrings and Branded Apparel. The Range Podcast is brought to you by Vapor Trail Archery and Stokerized Stabilizers. We are proud to be a part of the @sportsmens_empire network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we're joined by Mary “Fireweed” Kwart. Fireweed is a thru-hiker, a Deadhead, and a pioneering figure in wildland firefighting with a career spanning more than 30 years. We dive into the challenges of being one of the first women to join the elite Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots, the culture shock of entering a male-dominated field, and some of the most memorable stories from her decades on the fire line.  Fireweed also reflects on how long-distance hiking has evolved since the 1970s, her tradition of tackling a new long trail every year since retiring, and her deep love and advocacy for California's Bigfoot Trail. We wrap the show with the best backpacking trails in the Midwest, the thru-hiking advice we wish we'd never given, a debate over whether robotic legs should count as mechanical transport under the Wilderness Act, and the Triple Crown of parts of society we'd turn the clock back for. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKFALL15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.  Ka'Chava: Use code “BACKPACKER” for 15% off at kachava.com. [divider] Interview with Mary “Fireweed” Kwart Mary's Instagram Mary's Blog Bigfoot Trail Alliance Time stamps & Questions 00:04:55 - Apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:07:00 - Introducing Fireweed 00:08:30 - Why were you a nontraditional college graduate? 00:11:40 - What was your inspiration for aligning with the feminist movement? 00:13:30 - Discussion about being the only woman in male-dominated spaces 00:16:46 - Tell us about hiking a section of the PCT in the 70s 00:18:20 - What was it like working in Yosemite in the 70s 00:23:50 - Discussion about being a Deadhead 00:25:50 - How were women being treated in general? 00:30:45 - How did you pass the heartbeat challenge? 00:32:45 - Discussion about gear differences between now and then 00:36:50 - At what point did you discover the hard-ass aspect of your personality? 00:43:25 - How did you keep spirits high while working as a firefighter? 00:46:55 - What was the culture of firefighters like? 00:52:00 - Do you have advice for women who want to get into firefighting? 00:54:34 - What was your best day on the job? 00:58:40 - Discussion about the rest of Fireweed's firefighting career 01:00:45 - What kind of schooling would you recommend for someone interested in this career? 01:02:35 - What's your take on the current situation in the Forest Service? 01:10:40 - Discussion about the state of wildfires today 01:15:30 - Tell us about your thru-hikes since retiring 01:20:30 - Discussion about getting shingles and recovering 01:23:50 - Do you have any other tips for older hikers? 01:28:50 - Tell us about the Bigfoot Trail 01:33:30 - Do you have tips for identifying trees along the Bigfoot Trail? 01:37:00 - What was your Bigfoot encounter? 01:40:02 - Do you believe in Bigfoot? 01:44:00 - Tell us about getting attacked by a bear dog 01:48:45 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda: The Best Backpacking Trails in Every Midwestern State by Katie Jackson 6 Pieces of Thru-Hiking Advice I Wish I'd Never Given by Katie Jackson QOTD:  Would robotic legs count as mechanical transport through the wilderness? Triple Crown of parts of society we would turn the clock back on Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.

A controversy over public lands' management in Indiana's 204,000-acre Hoosier National Forest turns out to be a microcosm of a burning (pun intended) national debate over using fire and targeted logging operations to create habitat for wildlife and a healthier, more diverse and more resilient forest. From the 1960s to 80s, The U.S. Forest Service, in the grip of the so-called “timber beast” style of management, clear-cut millions of acres of publicly owned forestland, leading to widespread loss of wildlife, sediment-filled streams, and a furious backlash from conservationists. A barrage of successful lawsuits from environmental and conservation groups radically changed public land management, often for the good of the land, water and wildlife. But that same backlash, and the habit of filing lawsuits to block or guide public lands management, have posed extreme challenges in the decades since—critically-needed projects to restore native ecosystems and wildlife habitats have been blocked, management has in some cases been brought to a standstill, and a growing body of evidence shows that we have gone too far on certain parts of our public lands in simply “letting nature take its course.” It's not a debate over “wilderness versus logging and roads” as it is sometimes framed. It's not about the fallibility of human-directed land management versus the eternal wisdom of nature. It's about a lot more than that, and it has national implications. Join us for a conversation with three Hoosier hunters and conservation leaders who've found themselves on the frontline of this controversy—BHA Chapter Coordinator Jameson Hibbs, BHA Indiana chapter board member Brian Stone, and Michael Spalding, of the Conservation Law Center, a professional forester from a multi-generation Indiana farming family who has worked in 55 of Indiana's 92 counties over the course of his career.   --- The Podcast & Blast with Hal Herring is brought you by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and presented by Silencer Central, with additional support from Decked and Dometic. Join Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the voice for your wild public lands, waters, and wildlife to be part of a passionate community of hunter-angler-conservationists.  BHA. THE VOICE FOR OUR WILD PUBLIC LANDS, WATERS AND WILDLIFE. Follow us: Web: https://www.backcountryhunters.org Instagram: @backcountryhunters Facebook: @backcountryhunters

A 2001 rule crafted by the U.S. Forest Service banned road construction and most commercial logging on nearly 45 million acres of public lands. Now the Trump administration wants to rescind that rule, which it deems overly restrictive.

The Trump administration has moved fast to chart a new course for American policy both here at home as well as internationally. But how are those changes impacting  Americans across the country? This week on The Sunday Story, we take a road trip to find out how people are feeling about the policy changes coming out of the White House. From wheat farmers in Washington state to Forest Service workers in Montana to business leaders in Mississippi, average Americans offer their thoughts on where the country is headed.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In an episode first released in 2010, then-producer Lulu Miller drives to Michigan to track down the endangered Kirtland's warbler. Efforts to protect the bird have lead to the killing of cowbirds (a species that commandeers warbler nests), and a prescribed burn aimed at creating a new habitat. Tragically, this burn led to the death of a 29-year-old wildlife technician who was dedicated to warbler restoration. Forest Service employee Rita Halbeisen, local Michiganders skeptical of the resources put toward protecting the warbler, and the family of James Swiderski (the man killed in the fire), weigh in on how far we should go to protect one species.EPISODE CREDITS:Reported by - Lulu MillerSignup for our newsletter!! It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Sign up (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)!Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today.Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org.Leadership support for Radiolab's science programming is provided by the Simons Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.