Arizona State Parks and Trails Podcast

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 internal medicine physician at Mayo Clinic and director of the Mayo Clinic Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program. Dr. Bauer's personal goal is to ensure that research conducted under the auspices of the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program is always held to the same high standards as all other research at Mayo Clinic. You can find Dr. Bauer's clinical profile and research faculty profile at MayoClinic.org.About our guest: Christine ConnorsHaving sold more than 100,000 copies of their outdoor cooking books, Christine and her husband and co-author Tim Conners are experienced campers, backpackers, and outdoor chefs and the authors of The Scout’s Outdoor Cookbook, Lipsmackin’ Backpackin’, and Lipsmackin’ VegetarianBackpackin’. The Conners have twice served as judges for Scouting magazine’s prestigious national camp food cooking contest. Learn more at LipSmackinCampin.com.About our guest: Ryanne CraryRyanne is a northern Arizona native whose adventuring in the high desert sparked her passion for the outdoors and all things wildlife. Her family's involvement with the Bureau of Land Management also inspired her to receive her degree in Parks and Recreation from ASU and a minor in Parks and Protected areas, when she spent time as an animal handler at the Phoenix Zoo and attempted to escape the heat. Ryanne joined the Hike Shack in 2020 where she met her now husband Caleb, and future fur-son, Lance. She now works for The Town of Prescott Valley Parks and Recreation as a Recreation Supervisor and handles marketing and outreach for The Hike Shack. When she's not at work, you can find Ryanne exploring her home in Prescott, hiking, rock climbing, and picking up rocks and lizards with her husband, dogs Lance and Bingo, and her lizard Lizzie.About our guest: Louis JuersLouis Juers of The Arizona Family Campout Program helps families discover the joy of camping. He introduces them to the experiences you can share in Arizona's outdoors. Ranger Louis is continuously applauded by families who participate with reviews like Jennifer S., who said, "The warmth we felt from [ranger] Louis and his outstanding team of volunteers was immediate and sincere. Their energy and effort were unparalleled during the whole weekend, giving us families a chance to bond while building upon our camping know-how. Louis's background in education shone brightly all weekend."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.

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 part of the grand prize package for the contest winner! You can find out more about Pin Drop Travel Trailers at PinDropTravelTrailers.com. Also check out the contest's other two judges, Lauren and Owen Steinwall of The AZ Hikeaholics and their popular Arizona adventure travel account at TheAZHikeaholics.com or on Instagram!About our guest: Elijio Carlos RamirezArizona native Elijio Carlos Ramirez started his career in public policy before transitioning to photo and video. He's worked with private clients, Hollywood movie studios, and even saw his work screened in Times Square. In his spare time, he enjoys other creative pursuits and credits his family for the support that has allowed him to do so.About our guest: Tim Elinski, Pin Drop Travel TrailersPin Drop Travel Trailers are solar-powered, fully self-contained micro-campers manufactured in rural Arizona. The company was launched in 2018 by avid campers and entrepreneurs, Tim and Ruth Ellen Elinski. Pin Drop Travel Trailers are intentionally designed and crafted in small batches using premium materials. Combining unmatched, superior quality with user-friendly functionality, the trailers provide travelers the ultimate camping and adventure experience. Sturdy enough for remote, off-road destinations, they are constructed with built-in conveniences for established campgrounds and equipped with comforts appreciated by weekend adventurers who prefer a glamping experience.Tim leads design and manufacturing operations, bringing over 20 years’ experience as a licensed general and HVAC contractor to the company. Raised in a family of tradesmen, Tim honed his skills restoring historic homes and building energy efficient additions and new homes. Now licensed by the State of Arizona as both a trailer manufacturer and dealer, Tim brings his talent, creativity and eye for design to lead the manufacturing team. Together, they create custom, teardrop trailers that are rolling works of art.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.

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 medical standpoint, how this connection to nature is important in different stages of life.It's time to put the backbone behind what you always knew was connected: getting outdoors and your health!Links referenced in this episode:Prescription for nature online resources: Park RX America and ParkRXPrescribing nature for mental, physical health on the Mayo Clinic News NetworkAbout our guestDr. Brent Bauer is a general internal medicine physician at Mayo Clinic and director of the Mayo Clinic Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program. Dr. Bauer's personal goal is to ensure that research conducted under the auspices of the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program is always held to the same high standards as all other research at Mayo Clinic. By ensuring this level of quality, the results that are achieved will positively contribute to knowledge that can inform clinical practice. The research of Dr. Bauer and the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program has had many tangible impacts on patient care. For example, massage therapy is now routinely offered to postoperative patients, meditation training is being provided to more than 20,000 patients each year, and acupuncture is helping patients with migraine headaches. These are just a few examples of how Dr. Bauer and his colleagues have been able to translate research into direct changes in patient care. Research informing practice remains a key focus for the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program.You can find Dr. Bauer's clinical profile and research faculty profile at MayoClinic.org.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.

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 conserving this treasured natural resource.Tour Kartchner Caverns yourself by booking a tour reservation at https://azstateparks.com/kartchner/cave-tours/tours. You can learn more about the Arizona grottos of the National Speleological Society that Chelsea references at https://caves.org/state/arizona/.More about our guest, Chelsea Ballard:Chelsea is the Cave Resource Manager / Research and Project Specialist at Kartchner Caverns State Park. She is from Horse Cave, Kentucky and grew up only a few miles from Mammoth Cave National Park and Hidden River Cave. She has been fascinated with caves and sinkholes since she was a young girl after being exposed to the resource from a very early age growing up on a farm. This led her to Western Kentucky University (WKU) to study Karst Hydrogeology. During her time at WKU, she has completed two undergraduate karst thesis research projects with grant funding, taught a Cave Conservation and Karst Management class in Texas, completed a Physical Science Technician internship with the National Park Service, inter-agency trainings with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and an internship with the U.S. Geological Survey. She has also worked as a cave guide with Diamond Caverns, Hidden River Cave and Mammoth Cave National Park. She has completed various karst related trainings, karst research projects and classes through her career. She is deeply involved with the American Cave Conservation Association, the National Speleological Society, WKU Karst Field Studies, Karst Waters Institute, and the United States Biosphere Network. She is currently writing a children’s book centered around the subject of karst. When Chelsea is not at work helping to protect one of the coolest caves in the world you may find her in other caves helping with geology/hydrology research, mapping and surveying projects. She also enjoys volunteering for cave organizations, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, traveling and visiting her friends and family in Kentucky.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.

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 The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird app. About our guestA lifelong resident of Southeastern Arizona, Taylor has been involved in birding since he was a teen making observations and recording them. It was his hobby, and all his biology is self-taught. He conducted an eight-year-long study of the Elegant Trogon that led to the publication of Trogons of the Arizona Borderlands in 1994 and continues to compile census results. During his research, Taylor reported the first Eared Quetzal seen in the U.S. In 1980 he founded Borderland Tours, a birding travel company dedicated to responsible ecotourism. In 1995 the American Birding Association published his A Birder's Guide to Southeastern Arizona, revised in 2005.  In 2010, R.W. Morse Company published Birds of Southeastern Arizona, now in its 7th printing and in 2023 Birds of Arizona, which has become the most comprehensive field guide of the state’s birds, profiling over 500 species and over 900 color photographs showing key field marks of each species. Arizona has more hummingbirds than any other state and Taylor creates for the first time a hummingbird chart showing the elevation ranges for all seventeen species. Taylor also authors the location bird checklists for both the Huachuca and the Chiricahua Mountains.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.

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 with the US Forest Service on Tonto National Forest. She engages various partners including businesses, non-profit organizations, state and federal agencies, and local communities to accomplish vital on-the-ground work throughout the roughly 2 million-acre landscape on the Tonto NF. Work through partnerships and collaborations includes watershed improvements, restoration, recreation management, wilderness and trail maintenance, hazardous fuels reduction, invasives management, and more. Prior to the Forest Service, Brooke worked with the National Park Service at various parks, and with the US Army Corps of Engineers as a Park Ranger. Outside work, she enjoys hiking, connecting with friends at local breweries, streaming video games, and exploring or traveling with her 2 dogs. Find information on the two prehistoric sites on the Tonto National Forest that Brooke mentioned: the Sears-Kay Ruin near Carefree, and the Shoofly Village site (wheelchair-accessible).Isaiah Ortiz is a park ranger at Catalina State Park and a Sonoran Insiders Ambassador. Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Isaiah has always had a special connection with the desert. For nearly 10 years photography has been his passion and he specializes in capturing the beauty of the night sky. With the Sonoran Insiders and at Catalina State Park, Isaiah shares messages of respect for the land, conservation, and responsible exploration. Find Isaiah's book, Starry Sky Adventures Arizona, HERE.Jeny Davis is the Southern Rockies Program Associate at the National Forest Foundation (NFF), supporting program and project operations in the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Regions through coordinating, strategic planning, organizational development, and collaborative conservation efforts. Prior to the NFF, she worked at Desert Botanical Garden with the Central Arizona Conservation Alliance (CAZCA) and EcoFlora programs, immersed in collaborative conservation, community science and communications. She enjoys coordinating projects, connecting people, and working with others to support and accomplish goals and facilitate inclusive collaboration outcomes. Outside work, she enjoys numerous outdoor activities like hiking and riding her bike, reading, researching, making cyanotypes, enjoying music, eating tacos, or generally nerding out about plants and ecology wherever she may be.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.

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.

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 adventure and sign up for our newsletter at AZStateParks.com/Amazing, and follow @AZStateParks on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter for even more inspiration.

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, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter for even more inspiration.

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 deepest gratitude to Lew Theokas, grandfather of hotshot Garret Zuppiger; Ben Palm; Karen Norris, mother of hotshot Scott Norris; and Jared Welsh for sharing with us for this episode.Links mentioned in this episode include:About the Granite Mountain HotshotsJuly 30 Commemoration Event in PrescottJuly 30 Remembrance Event in YarnellGranite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute CenterGranite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State ParkFind 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.

Sometimes all it takes is a little knowledge to change fear into fascination. That's why Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary joined us on this episode: to reintroduce to the world of snakes. Katelyn Garcia, the sanctuary's Education & Outreach Director as well as Cale Morris, Venom Manager for the sanctuary, help us understand the importance of these reptiles and might help you regard snakes in a different light. Check out the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary to schedule a tour, learn about their camp, or virtually adopt an animal at PhoenixHerp.com and on social media under @PhoenixHerp. You can also check out the online snake identification resource linked on their website, which Katelyn and Cale mention in this episode, ReptilesOfAZ.org.Bonus! Read more about Clem the alligator relocated from the Grand Canyon to Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary as told by the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.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.

What is historic preservation and how can any resident or visitor be a part of it? Arizona's State Historic Preservation Officer, Kathryn Leonard, joins us on the show to share. We discuss the many sides of historic preservation, from the ideological perspective of anchoring us to our past and providing tangible ways for future generations to understand it, all the way to the practical side, including laws, tax breaks, economic benefits, and more.As far as who can be a part of preservation efforts? If you find value in a sense of place (and who doesn't?), congratulations! Kathryn makes the case that this is all you need to be a preservationist.Check out the links mentioned during this episode:State Historic Preservation Office website, AZStateParks.com/shpoHistoric Preservation Tax Incentive ProgramState Historic Preservation Office's social mediaAnnual Historic Preservation Conference: AZPreservation.org/conferenceBimonthly preservation book clubArizona Preservation Foundation webinarsOsterman Gas Station on this year's listing of 11 Most Endangered Historic PlacesThe preservation success story of Camp NacoFind 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.

Understand Arizona's climate and its potential dangers with this episode's guest, Dr. Erinanne Saffell. Dr. Saffell is Arizona's State Climatologist and she breaks down our state's diverse climate and the role elevation change plays in our weather, as well as factors like the urban heat island effect and practical measures homeowners in Arizona's low-elevation metro areas can take to temper it on their own property.Dr. Saffell also gives insight into what kind of summer Arizonans can expect and how to prepare and be safe in the heat, monsoons, and fire season. If you enjoy hearing about the fascinating work Dr. Saffell does for the Arizona State Climate Office, check out these ways to get involved:Follow the Arizona State Climate Office on TwitterSign up for monthly webinars (3rd Thursday every month from 10-10:30 a.m.) and new reports from the AZ State Climate Office and State ClimatologistContact AZClimate@asu.edu to volunteer by measuring evaporation at the Weather Station in TempeBe a citizen scientist by reporting precipitation with CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow network). Get a backyard rain gauge and easy training at cocorahs.orgBrush up on wildfire awareness at azstateparks.com/fire-safetyAbout Dr. Erinanne SaffellDr. Erinanne Saffell received her BS, MA, and PhD degrees in Geography and Climatology from Arizona State University. Her main research interests are extreme weather events, including flood and drought, as well as impacts of the Urban Heat Island. Dr. Saffell is a Senior Global Futures Scientist with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory and an Associate Teaching Professor at ASU.The Arizona State Climatologist serves the people and state of Arizona through an executive appointment funded by Arizona State University, the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, and the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory.Dr. Saffell is Director of the Arizona State Climate Office, which is the recognized State Climate office for the State of Arizona (ARSCO). A focus of the State Climate Office is to evaluate and synthesize climate data and scientific research to provide context and relevancy about the climate of Arizona.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.

Listen in as Lexi with Roam Lab simplifies cooking at the campsite! With a little bit of planning and at-home prep work, you can have delicious meals that fuel your next adventure.Lexi and her husband Chris travel full-time and have mastered the art of campsite cooking. Learn how to cook over a campfire and the tricks of heat distribution. Try out some new recipes or even some of Lexi's favorite gear. Lexi shares great ideas for meals when you want to keep cooking short and sweet as well as options for more gourmet eating (like her recipe for mouthwatering lamb kabobs).Get Lexi's Campfire Cooking guide on Instagram as well as her Recipes highlights, get even more practical advice on Roam Lab's website, and follow along with their travels at roamlab.com.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.

This episode is in celebration of Earth Day! Earth Day is an annual, global event on April 22 that has been going strong for 53 years after it was first created in 1970 to draw attention to environmental protection. To discuss Earth Day and better understand how we can all do our part to protect Arizona's natural resources and beautiful outdoor spaces, we’ve invited four state park rangers from across Arizona to join us on the show: Ranger Ethan from Oracle State Park, Rangers Kyle and Jess from Kartchner Caverns State Park, and Ranger Sara from Lost Dutchman State Park.We mention some resources on the show, so be sure to check out our fire safety and restrictions online resource, as mentioned by Ranger Sara; the International Dark Sky Association website and our episode with IDA ambassador Mike Weasner, as referenced by Ranger Ethan; and cave tour reservations as recommended by Rangers Jess and Kyle.After listening, we hope you’re excited to take action with these simple steps towards becoming a more engaged environmentalist…and even join us for a fun Earth Day celebration at one of Arizona’s state parks, listed below (click on each link for event dates, times, and other details).Dead Horse Ranch State Park: Make Native Seed Balls and the Verde Valley Birding and Nature FestivalKartchner Caverns State Park: Recyclables crafts, educational talks in the amphitheater, scavenger hunt, Star Party, and moreLost Dutchman State Park: Guided hikes, nature talks, geocaching, and litter cleanup kitsLyman Lake State Park: Arts, crafts, and kids' activitiesOracle State Park: Geology hike, snake talk, astronomy talk, music on the trail, food trucks, and Star PartyFind 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.

Meet adventurer, thru-hiker, mountain biker, backpacker, ultra-runner, hiker, and camper Henley Phillips. Based in Tucson, Arizona, Henley has taken on outdoor adventures across the world. He loves coming up with creative ways to explore new areas and connect destinations on the map with the trail less traveled. Henley will inspire you to try something new, explore more, and savor each moment you can in nature.We begin the show talking about Henley's 64-hour adventure across southern Arizona, running up the five highest summits around Tucson and linking the trailheads by bike. You can read more about his experience at bikepacking.com. We also hear about Henley's extreme adventure journey in Australia, which you can watch a video on HERE. This April, Henley is attempting a multi-sport (hiking and biking) yo-yo (northbound and back again) adventure on the Arizona National Scenic Trail, which is 800 miles long one-way, spanning the length of Arizona from Mexico to Utah. Follow along with his adventures on Instagram at henley.phillips. If you want a taste of the Arizona Trail, try its access point right from Oracle State Park.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.

Adriane Grimaldi, Education Director of Butterfly Wonderland, takes us into the amazing world of butterflies in this episode. There are 28,000 butterfly species around the world and Arizona is home to a whopping 334 species--second in diversity of butterfly species only to the state of Texas! Adriane shares where and when you can observe them here in the Grand Canyon State.Adriane also shares the intricacies of butterfly life, their journey to Butterfly Wonderland from farms throughout the world, and how this team of butterfly experts is doing their butterfly conservation work.Learn about these beautiful pollinators and how you can help them, including how to build a simple yet very effective backyard butterfly garden! To help get your garden underway, be sure to check out Butterfly Wonderland's March and October plant sale that Adriane mentions. Butterfly Wonderland's Spring Plant Sale is Saturday, March 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to noon in their outside courtyard. Butterfly, hummingbird, and bee-friendly plants will be for sale from $14.95 to $29.95 and proceeds benefit the Butterfly Wonderland Foundation.Plan your visit to Butterfly Wonderland to experience the magic of this butterfly conservatory for yourself! Check out information on the state parks you can view butterflies in and the Monarch Waystations (certified areas that have the resources butterflies need to thrive, including nectar and host plants) in Arizona State Parks that you can visit at azstateparks.com/arizona-butterflies.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.

Nick Teschler and Conrad Demecs with FishIn48 know Arizona's bass and their favorite habitats. They join us on the show to tell anglers their secrets, including where to find bass, the lures they're most successful with, and when to get on the water.Nick and Conrad also regularly contribute to Arizona State Parks and Trails' online Fishing Report and host a blog with more great resources to catch bass in Arizona. Find them on social media at @FishIn48 and check out their upcoming tournament on March 18 at Alamo Lake State Park! You can also find information about their guided bass fishing trips, and book a trip with Conrad and Nick HERE.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.

Neil and Elisabeth travel up the Mogollan Rim and near Payson, Arizona to record on location at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Park Manager, Andrew Young, and Assistant Park Manager, Katie Ferguson, join the show to share about the plants, wildlife, and geology that make Tonto Natural Bridge one-of-a-kind. They also share the lesser-known history of this area of Pine Creek Canyon, from Ancestral Puebloan to European influence.These two pros also share how they have created their careers in land management. If you've always dreamed of becoming a park ranger, their journeys are sure to inspire! Ever humble in their hard work, Andrew and Katie thank their fantastic team of park rangers, their dedicated volunteers, and the amazing Friends of Tonto Natural Bridge group that raises funds for the park.If after listening to this episode, you are "pining" to experience Pine Creek Canyon and Tonto Natural Bridge for yourself, consider joining an event, like Brunch at the Bridge or Taste of the Bridge, or a tour at this state park!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.

It's an ever increasingly-popular lifestyle: sell the house, pack the stuff in storage, and hit the open road full-time to see our country's beautiful places. That's what Patti and Jeff Kinzbach opted for upon retirement, and they haven't looked back since... only forward to the next adventure!As their RV travels began, so did a new project to share their experiences, tips for life on the road, places they visited, and the interesting characters they met along the way: Rocking the RV Life podcast.In this episode, Patti and Jeff break down what their show is all about, highlight a few episodes to start with if you're a new RVer, and share the places they've already visited and some they're planning to see this spring. Be sure to check out Rocking the RV Life podcast, read their blog, find RV products that they use and recommend, and keep up with all of their adventures at their website, rockingthervlife.com, and on their social media channels:InstagramFacebookYouTubeFind 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.