Today, we’re heading to the healing waters of Arkansas to visit a place where history and nature meet — Hot Springs National Park! The 16th busiest U.S. national park, this park was host to over 2.5 million visitors in 2023. In this episode we discuss some of the fascinating features of the park, some plants and animals, learn about the history of the park, complete an activity from the junior ranger program, explore the geology and some of the living organisms of the thermal waters, and have some recommendations for exploring the park and surrounding area.

Junior Rangers are explorers, learning all about the park’s ecosystems, plants and animals, and how to protect nature. The Junior Ranger program is not just for kids; it's for the young, and the young at heart!

A Special Thanks to Hot Springs National Park!

Source: https://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm

Trail Trivia Sound Effect by Justin & Robin

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/honey-its-sunny

License code: J9V3RIZCI934YNG3

Wood Burning in Fire Sound Effect by FTUS on Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/sfx/wood-burning-in-fire/10681/27732?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0--6BhCBARIsADYqyL8hZTsQ9sblfCDG6EfEjRphnb00g9NqwumsZtvoJc4WFtH_CVzsjzUaAmrDEALw_wcB

Today, we’re heading to the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico to visit a natural wonder—Carlsbad Caverns National Park! We discuss some of the fascinating features of the park, plants and animals, learn about the history of the park, and complete an activity from the junior ranger program.

Junior Rangers are explorers, learning all about the park’s ecosystems, plants and animals, and how to protect nature. The Junior Ranger program is not just for kids; it's for the young, and the young at heart!

A Special Thanks to Carlsbad Caverns National Park!

Source: https://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm

Trail Trivia Sound Effect by Justin & Robin

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/honey-its-sunny

License code: XDV7XUILFJGSXDEC

Wood Burning in Fire Sound Effect by FTUS on Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/sfx/wood-burning-in-fire/10681/27732?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0--6BhCBARIsADYqyL8hZTsQ9sblfCDG6EfEjRphnb00g9NqwumsZtvoJc4WFtH_CVzsjzUaAmrDEALw_wcB

Today, we’re heading to Appalachia to explore the most famous and well marked hiking trail in the world, the AT. We work through a Junior Ranger activity together and explore the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, the formation and geological history of the area, its Indigenous heritage, the diverse plants and animals that inhabit the area, the park's establishment as a national scenic trail, and how to start preparing for an AT thru-hike, section hike, or day hike. Tune in to learn about a yo-yo hike, a flip-flop hike, and so many other fun and interesting facts about the AT.

Junior Rangers are explorers, learning all about the park’s ecosystems, plants and animals, and how to protect nature. The Junior Ranger program is not just for kids; it's for the young, and the young at heart!

Email: NPJRPodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @NPJRPodcast

A Special Thanks to: the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the NPS Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the AT community & all of the volunteers, and my uncle, Brad, for the fun & interesting facts as I was preparing this episode, the 'hike' down memory lane, and reigniting my hope to one day hike the AT!

Source: https://appalachiantrail.org/ , https://www.nps.gov/appa/index.htm

Benton MacKaye’s Story: https://appalachiantrail.org/official-blog/from-trauma-to-dream/

Trail Trivia Sound Effect by Justin & Robin

Music by FASSounds on Pixabay

Wood Burning in Fire Sound Effect by FTUS on Uppbeat