Rangers of the Lost Park

What happens when you gather a group of nature enthusiasts in an old growth forest? This episode is truly unique and not something Liz has done on this podcast before.Liz went out into the remote backcountry with a wonderful group of public land protectors and will be sharing four of their stories with you all today. You’ll get to hear some personal stories of deep love, resiliency and intrigue straight from the person who beholds it, including Daniel Gomez, Patty Hine, Misha Inomoto, and Chandra LeGue.On May 31st of this year, Liz braved the long, 3.5-hour journey through winding forest roads with no wifi or phone service in order to join a group of public land advocates at one of Oregon’s most long-lived old growth forests: Crabtree Valley. Located in Western Oregon, it is an environmental sanctuary, and those who are familiar with it describe it as “peaceful, resilient, diverse, and incredibly beautiful"-- with trees up to 1,000 years old (they were alive at the same time as Genghis Khan, y'all!).Named the “Crabtree Valley Expedition,” this community-driven event was advertised as “two days of exploration to connect advocates, photographers, story tellers, legal forest defenders, naturalists, and forest lovers to an area that could be impacted by the Trump administration’s proposed management plan revisions for Bureau of Land Management forests in western Oregon.” Their hope in documenting the biodiversity of this ancient forest, in a multitude of ways, is that they can mount a successful campaign to continue protections for not just this place, but all old-growth forests on BLM lands (and beyond!).” And it couldn’t have been possible without the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Oregon Wild.Oregon Wild works to protect and restore Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters as an enduring legacy for future generations. Founded in 1974, Oregon Wild represents the fish and wildlife, ancient forests, and rich diversity of public lands and landscapes that make this state so special. They work to protect and restore the parts of the natural world that do not have a human voice, while not forgetting that humans are interconnected with nature and its systems.Oregon Wild and other conservation groups have challenged numerous BLM logging proposals in recent years that have targeted mature and old-growth forests. Courts have sided with conservation groups, highlighting that, even under the significantly weaker safeguards of the 2016 RMPs, the agency has regularly violated its own rules and bedrock environmental laws in order to facilitate commercial logging projects. On February 19, 2026, the Trump administration announced its intention to revise Western Oregon BLM management plans. Administration officials have stated that their goal is to return to the logging levels of the 1970s and 80s—when the BLM and U.S. Forest Service were clear-cutting roughly 3-square miles of old-growth forests per week. To achieve this, they intend to override decades of court rulings protecting clean water and wildlife, and return to the very management practices that led to federal Endangered Species Act listings for coho salmon and other imperiled species in the first place. The 1,251 acres of wild forest--Crabtree Valley--is only still standing because of the persistent advocacy of the people who fell in love with it. Folks can support The River Democracy Act proposal by visiting Oregon Wild’s website link.Lastly, tell Oregon's delegation: protect our old-growth forests. For more action tools from Oregon Wild, click here.It's important we all speak up for these ancient, wild places. Liz hopes you enjoy this very special episode of Rangers of the Lost Park.ABOUT THE GUESTS:Daniel Gomez (he/him): Daniel moved a lot as a child but spent most of his teens and college years in Kansas, where he met his wife Megan at his local college. They moved to Oregon 13 years ago and just happened to pick up photography thanks to Daniel’s father-in-law who gifted him a camera upon arriving. Since then, Daniel has grown to love taking photos of the night sky, in particular, the Milky way over scenic landscapes such as Mt. Hood. Daniel and his wife (love that he included his wife in everything, green flag) are passionate gardeners and grow most of their own produce. Last year, they grew 1000 lbs of produce out of their garden/orchard in our backyard. Daniel has since added a few more beds this year so they are hoping to grow even more. You can see Daniel's photography on his website and Instagram.Patty Hine (she/her): Patty is a Pacific Northwesterner who's having the time of her life on five acres in rural Lane County with her wife, Debby, of 32 years. A retired Navy officer and college instructor, Patty has led the scrappy group known as 350 Eugene for the past 15 years, and has been fighting for progressive climate and energy policy. Patty and Debby backpack in the Cascades and camp in the Oregon Coast Range when they're not growing tons of food and hitting the streets to fight for justice with their climate buddies. Misha Inomoto (they/them): Originally from San Diego, CA, Misha Inomoto moved out to Olympia, WA about a decade ago to go to school at Evergreen State College, where they graduated with a dual major in Ecology and Botany. After a summer school trip to Alaska in 2019, where Misha backpacked for 4 weeks in the backcountry, they came back enamored with lichens and bryophytes. Misha moved to Eugene, OR in 2022 after graduating, to look for work in a larger town that still had the feel of Olympia. They have since spent a lot of time volunteering with local non-profits to help restore and protect public lands. Since Misha was a child, they have spent as much time as possible outside. Their love of learning extends to not only botany, but languages as well. Misha is currently teaching themself Japanese and Spanish. They love being outside because it calms them. It makes them feel safe. While there are inherent dangers outside, Misha always felt a belonging and unquenchable curiosity about their surroundings. On days off, you can usually find Misha outside: volunteering, cycling, hiking, camping, or botanizing. They also love cooking and finding fun ways to pair unusual accoutrements with wine! You can follow along Misha's journey via Instagram. Chandra LeGue (she/her): Born and r...

Meg Carney, host of Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, and Liz Crandall, host of Rangers of the Lost Park Podcast, team up for an effortless collaboration where they talk about how they both find joy in a world of bad news. As Meg says: it can feel impossible to find joy when the headlines never seem to let up. From attacks on public lands and environmental protections to growing uncertainty for the people who steward these places, many of us are carrying a constant sense of urgency, grief, and overwhelm. But what if joy isn't a distraction from the work? What if joy is what sustains us through it?In this episode, Liz and Meg talk about resilience and the role joy plays in challenging times. Together, they explore how to stay informed without becoming consumed by the news cycle, the importance of caring for ourselves as we advocate for the places we love, and why local action and community connection matter now more than ever.Meg is the creator and host of Outdoor Minimalist, a podcast that raises awareness through conversation, information, and mindfulness regarding some of the most important environmental issues of our time. The goal of Outdoor Minimalist is to give outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor companies tools they can use to change their behavior when engaging in outdoor recreation to lower their overall environmental impact. Follow Outdoor Minimalist on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@outdoor.minimalist.book.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Outdoor Minimalist's Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheOutdoorMinimalist.com.Watch Outdoor Minimalist on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TheOutdoorMinimalist.Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Now available on YouTube! Watch Rangers of the Lost Park select episodes.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at info@rangersofthelostpark.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

"Green Girl" Leah Thomas coined the term Intersectional Environmentalist at the age 25, when she wrote and published her book titled The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet. Since 2020, Leah has spoken up in the name of eco-communication and brings forth the understanding that social justice and climate justice are one in the same.Leah talks about her time as a park ranger at Nicodemus National Historic Site and the White House Visitor Center, why cats are a feminist icon, intersectional environmentalism at its core, and more! Follow Leah Thomas on Instagram: @greengirlleah.Follow Leah Thomas on TikTok: @greengirlsworld.Check out Leah's websites: Intersectional Environmentalist & LeahThomas.com. Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Now available on YouTube! Watch Rangers of the Lost Park select episodes.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at info@rangersofthelostpark.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) covers about 19.3 million acres in northeast Alaska and is the largest national refuge in the United States. And unfortunately, it is a huge target for oil and gas drilling despite its protections currently in place.The Refuge includes diverse habitats that support an abundance of species including caribou, brown, black and polar bears, Dall sheep, moose, foxes, muskoxen, marine mammals including whales and seals, and thousands of different birds. The calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou herd, which have sustained Gwich’in people for generations, are within the Coastal Plain of the Refuge. The Refuge’s coastal plain also provides an important denning area for female polar bears in winter. It is SO important that we protect this incredible place.Joining Liz is author and longtime resident of Alaska: Debbie Miller. She shares stories of magical wildlife encounters within ANWR, her deep love for Alaska wilderness and more! Speak up for the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge while you still can.Support Alaska Wilderness League: AlaskaWild.org.Follow Alaska Wilderness League on Instagram: @keepalaskawild.Learn more about Debbie Miller and her books here.Follow Debbie on Instagram: @debbiesmiller2.Order Midnight Wilderness: Journeys in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by Debbie Miller.Listen to & Learn more about Encounters North.Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Now available on YouTube! Watch Rangers of the Lost Park select episodes.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at info@rangersofthelostpark.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week’s episode takes a deep dive into the life of the American farmer– the culture surrounding it, why what we eat matters and how we farm matters, and a new documentary that is just now starting to show screenings: Fork in the Road. I found out about this exciting new documentary from renowned actor and woodworker Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson, for those who need a reminder) online, and I was instantly intrigued! He is one of the Executive Producers for Fork in the Road and makes appearances in the film as well.Joining Rangers of the Lost Park to talk about this investigative and humanistic film are the two people who are the creatives behind it: Executive Producer and Co-Director Vivian Sorenson and Executive Producer Lisa Holmes! These women are intelligent, creative, kind, and truly wonderful. We talk about the importance of supporting local farmers and the non-profits directly involved; we talk about finding community and enlightening conversations at the kitchen table; we talk about sea otters and pikas; we talk about Mary and Wendell Berry's involvement in the film-- and so much more!Visit the Fork in the Road website to learn more about upcoming showings, the farmers and organizations involved, and more: forkintheroaddocumentary.com.Follow Fork in the Road Documentary film and team on Instagram: @forkintheroaddoc.Follow Vivian Sorenson on Instagram: @vivstirnyc.Follow Lisa Holmes on Instagram: @lisaholmesct.Check out Zero Foodprint: zerofoodprint.org.Learn more about Wild Child Films: wildchildfilms.net.Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Now available on YouTube! Watch Rangers of the Lost Park select episodes.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at info@rangersofthelostpark.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jesse Hamner is an experienced and knowledgable wildland firefighter with a huge heart. After experiencing great loss in 2025, she embarked on a grand roadtrip around the United States in search of community and healing. Since then, Jesse created "Keep Flaming," a safe space for anyone who feels "othered" in wildland fire (especially queer folk) and seek a supportive community in order to thrive not only in their careers but in their personal lives as well. Jesse shares raw aspects of her journey throughout her Fire career, who she is at her core and how she dedicates her time to speaking up for herself and for others. She also shares some exciting stories from her time as a firefighter! Follow "Keep Flaming" on Instagram: @keep.flaming.Follow Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics & Ecology (FUSEE) on Instagram: @fuseefire.Follow Hotshot Wellness on Instagram: @hotshotwellness.Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Now available on YouTube! Watch Rangers of the Lost Park select episodes.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at info@rangersofthelostpark.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Alligator Alcatraz: remember that? Well, it's still very much a thing. In fact, it is still operating despite the lawsuits and public outcry. And guess what? It's going to be on your radar again very soon. Did you know that the location of Alligator Alcatraz, the very place that is currently causing ecological destruction, is the reason for the existence of the Clean Water Act, NEPA, and Earth Day? Do you want to know how? Let me tell you a story. You will get to learn all about its fascinating history, the environmental fight that came out of a proposed jetport in the heart of the Everglades, and what Friends of the Everglades is now doing to take action against Alligator Alcatraz. I'm joined by Eve Samples, the Executive Director for Friends of the Everglades, who gives us an intimate perspective of how to combat Alligator Alcatraz and protect the important ecological diversity of the Florida Everglades.Take Action: Sign up for Friends of the Everglades' newsletter to keep up to date with what's happening in the Everglades.Take Action: Visit the "STOP Alligator Alcatraz page and call your Reps & Senators and tell them to speak out against Alligator Alcatraz.Follow Friends of the Everglades on Instagram: @friendsoftheeverglades.Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at rangersofthelostpark@gmail.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!Sources:1. "How a detention center awoke a decades-old environmental fight" - NPR2. "STOP "Alligator Alcatraz" - America's WORST idea" - Friends of the Everglades3. "Lawsuit Opposing "Alligator Alcatraz" Points To Federal Ties, Land Disturbance" - National Parks Traveler4. "Unpacking Florida's immigration trends - demographers take a closer look at the legal and undocumented population" - WLRN Public Media5. "Trump gets key wins at Supreme Court on immigration, despite some misgivings" - Reuters6. "Trump says his plan to expel millions of immigrants will be a 'bloody story'" - Independent UK7. "Denied, detailed, deported: the faces of Trump's immigration crackdown" - The Guardian8. "America's Everglades - The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States" - National Park Service9. "Endless Opportunities in Nature's Mosaic" - National Park Service10. "An Insider's Guide to Everglades & Beyond" - NPCA ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

My guest today is someone I am so beyond stoked to talk to. She is a powerful woman who specializes in wilderness skills, traditional lifeways, and ancestral skills. She is an author, a mother, a teacher, a woman of bushcraft, and a lover of nature. Oh, and did I mention she is the first female winner of the History Channel’s show Alone? Yes, my friends, my guest today is Woniya Thibeault.We talk about her time and experiences from both Season 6 of Alone and Season 1 of Alone: Frozen, of which she won after 50 days alone out in the harsh (and beautiful) Canadian wilderness. Woniya also shares her perspectives as a woman who practices bushcraft and her sense of belonging in nature. What does she wish she had brought with her as an item on the show? What are some of the biggest mistakes she has seen contestants make? What was recovery for her like afterwards? All this and more on this week's very special episode!Join Woniya for one of her courses: In-person or Online. Visit Woniya's website: WoniyaThibeault.com.Follow Woniya on Instagram: @woniya_timelessways.Order her book: Never Alone.Check out her YouTube Channel: Buckskin Revolution.Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at rangersofthelostpark@gmail.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

He's back! It's N8ture AL (also known as Alex Troutman)! Liz and AL catch up since they last spoke in September. AL has worked in conservation as a wildlife biologist for years until last February when he was caught in the crosshairs of the DOGE firings. Since then, he has made it his mission to provide representation for kids and black and brown communities. AL helps ease folks into loving the outdoors and has a warm, earnest personality and heart. Listen to AL's stories about a wolf pack encounter in Alaska, his perspective and expertise regarding communities who are most prone to the "nature gap," and how he is determined to continue working in the conservation field.Follow AL on Instagram: @n8ture_al.Check out his website: alextroutman.wixsite.com.Learn more about nature gaps from The Nature Gap: Communities of Color and Those With Low Incomes Are Bearing the Brunt of America's Nature Loss study by The Center for American Progress, Justice Outside, and Conservation Science Partners.Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at rangersofthelostpark@gmail.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Music has been used as an act of resistance and protest for generations. You may have heard the saying: "you know times are bad when folk music is getting better." Well, we seem to be living that kind of time period right now. And musicians like Kirstie Lynn are making waves and utilizing music as an outlet for their strife. With soaring songbird melodies and a voice as clear as a bell, Kirstie Lynn is one to watch in the folk music scene. Drawing inspiration from nature and the human experience, her poetic lyricism and nostalgic songwriting harken back to the folk music revival of the 60’s but with a refreshing feeling of newness. With her vocal training, Kirstie Lynn's voice is free and easy to listen to. Listeners have compared her voice and style to that of Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Brandi Carlile, and Judy Collins, but her singing is truly something new and refreshing. ​Liz and Kirstie talk about all things music and its colorful past within protest eras. Kirstie shares stories from her past and present, discusses folk artists who inspire her, and how music soothes her soul.You can find Kirstie Lynn playing either solo or with long-time friend and music partner, Galen Clark, in the Kansas City area.Follow Kirstie Lynn on Instagram: @kirstietheworsty.Check out Kirstie Lynn's Website: KirstieLynn.com.Listen to Kirstie Lynn on Spotify.Songs played on the episode in order of appearance:1. "Sweetest Someone" by Kirstie Lynn (2021)2. "Pray The Snow Melts" by Kirstie Lynn, Galen Clark (2025)3. "Turn, Turn, Turn" by Pete Seeger (1959)4. "There But For Fortune" by Joan Baez (1966)5. "The Time's They Are A-Changin'" by Bob Dylan (1964)6. "The Fiddle And The Drum" by Joni Mitchell (1969)7. "Freedom Day" by Max Roach ft. Abbey Lincoln (1961)8. "Blowin' In The Wind" by Peter, Paul & Mary (1963)9. "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke (1964)10. "Eve Of Destruction" by Barry McGuire (1965)11. "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield (1966)12. "Ain't I Right" by Marty Robbins (1966)13. "An Open Letter To My Teenage Son" by Victor Lundberg (1967)14. "The Fish Cheer / I-Feel'-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag" by Country Joe & the Fish (1967)15. "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" by Pete Seeger (1959)16. "This Land Is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie (1940)17. "Song About America" by Olive Klug (2024)18. "Wind Through The Trees (feat. Joseph Nuñez) (Waltz)" by Kirstie Lynn, Galen Clark (2022) Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at rangersofthelostpark@gmail.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Andrea Delgado is a fierce and kind leader who immigrated from Ecuador to the United States at a young age. This is someone who has spent nearly two decades operating at the intersection of power, policy, land, and people. She often worked behind the scenes and in rooms where the consequences of decisions ripple across generations. Andrea is a nationally recognized strategist who has advised the White House, Cabinet officials, unions, NGOs, Tribal Nations, and community leaders. She’s helped pass bipartisan legislation on everything from immigration and farm labor to wildfire, toxic chemicals, and pay for federal wildland firefighters. She’s served at the highest levels of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service, overseeing wildfire management, public lands, and Tribal relations across millions of acres in the Rocky Mountain region. But Andrea’s story isn’t just about titles or wins. It’s about what it costs to lead with integrity inside massive systems—and what happens when you do. Today, we’re talking about power, public lands, policy, uphill battles, being fired by this administration, resilience, and what it really means to serve.Check out Andrea's consulting business: Hawkeye Strategies, LLC.Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at rangersofthelostpark@gmail.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Concessionaires have been around even before the Park Service in what we now know as National Parks. Today, there are nearly 500 concessionaires within our Parks, which mean there are tons of folks who work for them. Liz's dear friend Kayla Babb, whom she worked with for a concessionaire company in Yellowstone National Park in 2015, joins the podcast to talk about her experiences within the Parks and how it differentiates from Park Rangers. They have a lot of laughs and share fun memories together- including a menacing raven named Gunter, whistle pigs terrorizing trash bags, bison run-ins, bear stories, and more! January is Be Kind to Servers Month, so to honor those who work so hard to serve the general public: we hope you enjoy this joyful and thoughtful episode.Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at rangersofthelostpark@gmail.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Alex Haraus is an outdoor and public lands advocate, experienced traveler and an incredible digital creator. We talk about his journey outdoors, his love for the environment and the thought behind Colorado Creator Collective. He gives us the three things that makes content impactful and successful. Alex also shares a mountain lion story and we talk about cool hikes in Iceland - and more! We hope you enjoy this informative and joyful episode!Follow Alex on Instagram: @alex.haraus.Follow Alex on TikTok: @alex.haraus.Subscribe to Alex on YouTube: Alex Haraus - YouTube.Follow Colorado Creator Collective on Instagram: @coloradocreatorcollective.Book recommendation from Alex: Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky and Connie Burk.Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at rangersofthelostpark@gmail.com.Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★