New to camping? Want to make your weekend outdoors a success? This information-packed episode cuts the learning curve for any camper looking for new techniques to improve your overnight experience in the outdoors. Hear from experts on the equipment you'll need, the food you can prepare and make at camp, selecting your campsite and being safe out there, and why time in nature is so beneficial for us in the first place! Visit AZStateParks.com/Camping-Logistics for even more tricks, tools, and tips to make camping easy and fun. About our guest: Dr. Brent Bauer Dr. Brent Bauer is a general ..read more

Announcing (drum roll, please ?)... the 2023-2024 Opt Outside Photo Contest at Arizona State Parks! Join us in this episode to hear all about the photo contest, its categories, and sweet prize packages. See the full contest details, rules, deadlines, and submission form at AZStateParks.com/photo-contest. Professional photographer for Arizona State Parks, Carlos Ramirez, joins Neil and Elisabeth on the show to give tips and tricks of the trade to take stunning photos. We also hear from one of the contest judges Tim Elinski. Not only is Tim a judge, his company, Pin Drop Travel Trailers, is par ..read more

Humans seem to be hardwired for nature, but did you know there is an actual term for this feeling? It's the concept of biophilia, and research is helping medicine incorporate time in the outdoors and a connection to nature with our health!  Dr. Brent Bauer, a general internal medicine physician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota joins us on the show to explain how our physical and mental state can be positively impacted by simply going outside. He addresses questions like the types of outdoor recreation activities that are beneficial, how much time outdoors is needed, and, from a med ..read more

For Chelsea Ballard, the world underneath the ground we stand on has always had a draw. She earned a Karst Hydrogeology degree and went on to work in several different caves before moving to Arizona to lead our Cave Unit team at Kartchner Caverns State Park. In this episode, Chelsea shares what excites her about working in the unique ecosystem of caves and karsts, and gives us insight into the wonders Kartchner Caverns holds. Listen as Chelsea explains the work her team does, the distinctive features of Kartchner Caverns that set it apart from other show caves, and the importance of conservin ..read more

If there's anyone who knows Arizona's birds, it's our guest Richard "Rick" C. Taylor, who literally wrote the book Birds of Arizona! On this episode we fly into the amazing world of the elegant trogon, ruffs, Scott's oriole, sparrows, hummingbirds and so much more. Whether you're a beginning birder or a seasoned ornithologist, you'll be delighted by Rick's knowledge and passion for birding and his perspective on how we nature lovers can relate to our feathered friends. Resources we discussed on this episode that can help you as you get into birding include Rick's book Birds of Arizona and Th ..read more

The Sonoran Insiders program promotes and amplifies good stewardship and responsible outdoor recreation in the Sonoran Desert and landscapes across Arizona. The group hosts fun and informative Insider Experiences for program ambassadors. Apply to become an ambassador HERE or learn more about becoming a partner for the Sonoran Insiders HERE. Want to try an Insider Experience for yourself? Register HERE for their event on August 5 to learn about responsible recreation and tourism on tribal lands with the San Carlos Apache Tribe. About our guests: Brooke Wheelock is the Partnership Coordinator ..read more

Lew Theokas, the grandfather of Granite Mountain Hotshots crewmember Garret Zuppiger, joins Arizona State Parks team member Ken "Gecko" Sliwa for a conversation to remember the hotshots who lost their lives fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013.  Lew is a former wildland firefighter and currently serves as the Public Relations Officer for the town of Peeple's Valley. Find your next Arizona adventure and sign up for our newsletter at AZStateParks.com/Amazing, and follow @AZStateParks on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter for even more inspiration ..read more

Ben Palm, former fire chief for the town of Yarnell, joins Arizona State Parks team member Ken "Gecko" Sliwa for a conversation to remember the hotshots who lost their lives fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013. Ben served as the Yarnell Fire Chief after the fire up through 2019, and currently works as the department's Assistant Chief and a Liaison Officer on Incident Management Teams for wildland fires. Learn more about the Firewise program and creating defensible space around property to protect it from wildfire at dffm.az.gov/fire/prevention/firewise. Find your next Arizona adv ..read more

Karen Norris, the mother of Granite Mountain Hotshots crewmember Scott Norris, joins Arizona State Parks team member Ken "Gecko" Sliwa for a conversation to remember the hotshots who lost their lives fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013. Karen is a founding member and sits on the board of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center in Prescott. You can find information and plan your visit to the center at gmihc19.org. Find your next Arizona adventure and sign up for our newsletter at AZStateParks.com/Amazing, and follow @AZStateParks on Facebook, Insta ..read more

This episode is dedicated in tribute to the Granite Mountain Hotshots who lost their lives in the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013: Andrew Ashcraft, Robert Caldwell,  Travis Carter, Dustin DeFord, Christopher MacKenzie, Eric Marsh, Grant McKee,  Sean Misner, Scott Norris, Wade Parker, John Percin Jr., Anthony Rose, Jesse Steed, Joe Thurston, Travis Turbyfill, William Warneke, Clayton Whitted, Kevin Woyjeck, and Garret Zuppiger. Our thoughts are with their families on this ten-year anniversary, as well as the lone surviving member of the hotshots crew, Brendan McDonough. Our deepes ..read more