Want to help save an endangered species and preserve wildlife on the planet?  Then make a trip to the North Carolina Zoo (nczoo.org), because each time you purchase a ticket the proceeds go toward conservation efforts to save endangered species and habitats.  

How exactly is that money spent and on which projects?  We chat with North Carolina Zoo Public Relations Officer Debbie Foster-Fuchs and Curator of Herpetology Dustin Smith in Episode 21 of Explore With RWD.

Gratherfather Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina holds a variety of opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast to families wishing to take in amazing mountainous views.  Join Natural World Photographer Roger W. Downes as he discovers all that Grandfather Mountain offers with the Director of Education and Natural Resources of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, John Caveny.

Purchase tickets for Grandfather Mountain: www.grandfather.com

The Linville Gorge Wilderness in the Pisgah National Forest of Western North Carolina is an adventurous location with breathtaking views, fauna, and flora.  However, before you venture out onto the trails, there are a few things you need to know.  Trekking the Wilderness isn't a walk in the park but it's certainly worth the effort.

Recreation and Trails Program Manager of The Pisgah National Forest Grandfather Ranger District, Lisa Jennings shares the challenges, permitting process, and beauty of the Linville Gorge Wilderness.

Read more at www.explorewithrwd.com.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most popular National Parks in the United States with over 16 million visitors each year (a number which triumphs the annual number of visitors to Yellow Stone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon combined).  Running from Cherokee, North Carolina to Roanoke, Virginia connecting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park.  

Join us in Episode 18, as we talk with Chief Executive Officer of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Carolyn Ward about the adventure the Parkway offers in rich Appalachian History to amazing programs for children.  Let your journey of exploration begin....

Episode Notes:

Visit the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation online: http://www.brpfoundation.org

Visit the Kids In Parks Program online: http://www.kidsinparks.com

Visit Explore With RWD online: http://www.explorewithrwd.com

Great artisan breads take years to develop, sometimes generations.  That is exactly the case of Asheville's Annie's Baker Founder, Giuseppe "Joe" Ritota, a fourth generation baker.  Hear the story of Joe's truly inspiring entrepreneurial spirit and guidance from God to grow his amazing bakery in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.  

Visit Annie's Bakery online at: https://www.anniesbread.com

Learn more about Explore With RWD at: http://www.explorewithrwd.com

Email us at [email protected]

New stars and galaxies are being discovered and researched from deep within the Pisgah National Forest at P.A.R.I. (Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute).  This 200 plus acre facility helps to make new discoveries which will take us into the stars, while offering educational camps for those wanting to learn more about what is beyond our world.  We chat with P.A.R.I.'s Educational Director Melanie Crowson in this episode of Explore With RWD.

Learn more about P.A.R.I. at http://www.pari.edu

One of the cheapest ways to bring a family together is an afternoon hiking, fishing, or swimming in the National and State Forests and Parks throughout our nation.  In Episode 15, Roger shares his story of how an outing with his father in the outdoors helped him to heal their relationship.

Visit us online: http://www.explorewithrwd.com

Many of us love to visit waterfalls in our national and state parks and forests.  However,  a lot of us are not educated enough to avoid being seriously hurt or damaging the delicate ecosystem at each waterfalls they visit.  That doesn't have to be the case, join us as we chat with Executive Director of Waterfall Keepers of North Carolina, Kevin Adams on waterfall safety, etiquette, and stewardship.   

Learn more: https://www.waterfallkeepersofnc.org

View Kevin's Art: http://www.kadamsphoto.com

Visit Explore With RWD online for future podcasts, blogs, images and videos: http://www.explorewithrwd.com

Eric Hurley shares his experiences on location as a motion picture extra in The Last of the Mohicans which was shot in the DuPont State Recreational Forest and Chimney Rock State Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.  

Discover other stories from Western North Carolina at www.explorewithrwd.com.

The Pisgah National Forest is an amazing resource in Western North Carolina covering 500,000 square acres just 22,000 acres shy of the neighboring Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  But until recently Pisgah didn't have a specific conservancy group working diligently to maintain the forest and her trail like the Smokies.  But now, thanks to founder John Cottingham, The Pisgah Conservancy has been born.

John joins us in this episode to talk about his story and how you can help to maintain the majesty of Pisgah.

Learn more;

www.pisgahconservancy.org