Three Rivers Land Trust Campfire Conversations

On this episode, we sit down and chat with Curtis Smalling, Interim Executive Director and Director of Conservation at Audubon North Carolina. Curtis discusses his passion for birds and how he became a 'bird nerd' at a very young age.  Additional topics covered include Curtis' decades long career at Audubon, thriving and declining bird species in our state, and how you can get involved with bird conservation. Be sure to tune in and let us know what you think!Learn more about Audubon North Carolina: nc.audubon.orgSupport the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

On this episode, we chat with Julian Wilson of the North Carolina Plant Conservation program, who discusses her important work protecting North Carolina's rare plants in their natural habitat, her partnership with Three Rivers on the Eastwood Connector project,  the challenges and rewards of land management with a  staff of four, and her love of carnivorous plants.Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

Emily is joined by Pierce Foster and Sarah Paynter, TRLT's newest employees! They discuss their background and current roles within TRLT, and also some exciting upcoming events in 2024. Tune in and let us know what you think!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

Join Crystal, Emily and special guest Don Childrey on this episode of Campfire Conversations. Don is the author of the Uwharrie Lakes Region Trail Guide, and we were thrilled to have him on our podcast to share his knowledge of the Uwharries and beyond. Tune in and let us know what you think!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

Join Katie, Matt and Michael as they discuss all things SAP! This conversation around our Sportsman Access Program (SAP) covers everything from event recaps to season harvest statistics and beyond. The staff even breakdown some behind the scenes information on lottery draw statistics. Tune in and be sure to let us know if you like this episode. Email michael@trlt.org if you would like to receive more information on our Sportsman Access Program.Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

Listen to Katie and Matthew go through their Christmas wish list for habitat management tools. Katie’s list is geared toward the small landowner and at a small price. Katie shares her top 8 items that she thinks a landowner should have if they want to make an impact with little expense. Matthew switches gears and offers insight on his top items if money wasn’t an issue (while maintaining a touch of practicality). Join us to hear a rundown of our favorite brands, expected prices, and some “tricks of the trade.” Regardless of who’s list you identify with, there is a lot of information in this episode to unpack. Like the episode? Email katie@trlt.org with your thoughts.Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

Some of our conservation team sits down to reflect on the successes and challenges of the past year. Katie discusses the land management highlights, while Crystal and Emily cover the land protection topics. Tune in to find out what a great year 2023 was for local conservation!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

Join Crystal and Emily for an introduction to TRLT's newest employee, Michael Chupita! They also discuss end-of-the-year land protection closings and 2024 events,Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Katie and Matt are joined by Jim Blythe, Three Rivers Land Trust member, and Osprey-nesting-platform architect! Their conversation flits through bird misconceptions and adaptions, what initially drew Jim to an interest in ornithology, and the work recently conducted by Jim and TRLT to erect an osprey nesting platform in Cabarrus County.This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Will is joined by Matthew Williams, Stewardship Associate for Three Rivers Land Trust. They have a leisurely conversation about deer season, Matt's new dog, chasing rabbits, and famous films.This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Will is joined by Tom Blue Wolf, a member of the Eastern Lower Muscogee Creek Nation and the Founder and Director of EarthKeepers & Company. Tom was born in Southern Alabama, raised and taught in the traditional ways by his Creek Grandparents and now travels to teach people of all ages about the Native American principles of conservation.This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Will is joined by Greg Boykin, a 7-time Thru-Hiker with TRLT and owner of Greg Boykin Design, Inc. This conversation between Will, Greg, and Emily Callicutt, Senior Land Protection Specialist for Three Rivers Land Trust, focuses on the 40-mile Uwharrie Thru-Hike, hosted by TRLT semi-annually and approaching its 14th run this Fall.This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Will is joined by Dr. Clyde Sorenson, an Entomologist and Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at NC State University.  Dr. Sorenson's research not only focuses on the biology and management of insects in relation to agriculture in North Carolina, but also has covered natural enemies of caterpillar pests of tobacco, the response of native bee communities to prescribed fire, the reproductive ecology of three federally endangered plants found in the Sandhills, and the reproductive ecology of the Venus flytrap, among many other things. This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Will is joined by Morgan Rafael, the Executive Director of the Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center in North Carolina. Their conversation explores Morgan's love and respect for wildlife, her journey through multiple conservation roles at various organizations, and the steps that led her to found Carolina Wildlife, a wildlife rehabilitation center located on 105 acres of preserved land that has saved over 7,000 animals since its conception.This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Will is joined by Carter Ailsworth, a guide for Holston River Fly Fishing. Carter guides float trips on the Smith River, the James, the New River, and many of the streams and creeks in southwest VA. In this conversation, they take a trip along the path of Carter's life, following a childhood spark and how it led him to his career today.This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Will is joined by Amanda McEachin, the new Office Manager for Three Rivers Land Trust. Their conversation explores Amanda's work history and the indoor and outdoor recreational activities she enjoys in her free time, such as fishing, hiking and video games!This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Will is joined by Andy Maben, Co-founder and Brewmaster of New Sarum Brewing Company and long-time TRLT SAP Member. Their conversation takes a leisurely stride through New Sarum Brewing Company's foundations, Andy's experience with the TRLT SAP program and business and hunting from a broad lens.This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Will is joined by Mark Bost, the new Habitat Enhancement Lands Program Coordinator for Three Rivers Land Trust. Their conversation covers Mark's years of working in land management, his favorite practices and species that he enjoys learning more about and aiding through conservation work.This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Will is joined by Jordan Linger, SAP Member and Sales Manager at Fiddlin' Fish Brewing, and Katie Stovall, Conservation Lands Manager at Three Rivers Land Trust. Their conversation gives an overview of what to expect in this year's Fall Draw for the Sportsman Access Program (SAP), property changes and what they're most excited about!This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org

This week, Will is joined by Jeff Moose, co-founder of Backcountry & Beyond. Their talk meanders from how Jeff started Backcountry & Beyond, to his favorite grilling methods and tools and more in this casual conversation.This podcast is brought to you by Montgomery Community College and Backcountry & Beyond.Want to join TRLT on the show? Know someone or certain topics that should be featured? Email will@trlt.org with suggestions!Support the showConnected to the Land, Committed to Conservation. TRLT.org