In this episode, delve into the fascinating world of 'Witness Trees'—trees that have stood the test of time and witnessed key moments in American history. From the Civil War battlefields of Antietam, Gettysburg, and Manassas to the site of the Oklahoma City bombing, these trees have borne silent witness to significant events. We explore the stories and historical significance of several protected trees, including the Burnside Sycamore, the Oklahoma City Survivor Tree, and the iconic Jackson Magnolia at the White House. Through these stories, we're reminded of the resilience and endurance symbolized by these natural sentinels.

Written By Lizzie Tesch

00:00 Introduction: Witness Trees of America

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Parkography! This episode is the first of our monthly comprehensive news roundups on national parks and public lands. Today' we're covering the reinstatement of federal employees, cuts to federal facilities, an executive order on historic monuments, military deployments to Big Bend National Park, potential changes to Yosemite's timed-entry reservation system, Alaskan oil exploration, and various lawsuits concerning logging in national forests. Stay informed about all the latest changes and decisions affecting America's public lands.

00:00 Introduction

We're coming back, and it's a whole new ballgame! Parkography (formerly known as the America's National Parks Podcast) is the new home for the powerful stories, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes of America’s national parks and public lands. Through immersive storytelling, vivid soundscapes, and in-depth research, we explore the people, places, and pivotal moments that shaped the wild places we cherish today. From iconic landmarks to hidden corners, Parkography brings the soul of America’s public lands to life—one story at a time.

The Explore Act, a package of public lands bills that provides reforms to the permit process, legalizes filming in national parks, adds accessible trails, extends the Every Kid Outdoors program, and more, has now passed both chambers of Congress and is expected to be signed by President Biden.

In this month's national park news roundup, we take a look at the newest national monument, changes to campground reservations at Acadia, a semi-truck that catches fire in Death Valley, the National Christmas Tree Lighting, and more.

Enter to win a free  @alliancerv  Delta travel trailer from  @LiquifiedRV  here: https://liquifiedrv.com/pages/2025-alliance-delta-sle-ml206-rv-give-away?utm_source=RVMiles&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=RVGiveaway

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Between avoiding snakebites and fending off the dreaded dysentery, fans of the popular game “The Oregon Trail” are sure to be familiar with Fort Laramie. Situated roughly a quarter of the way through the historic trek from Independence, Missouri to the Willamette Valley in modern-day Oregon, the Fort began as a fur trading post, served as a critical juncture for emigrants heading west, and eventually became one of the largest military posts on the Northern Plains. Before its abandonment in 1890, Fort Laramie would also bear witness to sweeping expansion and the heated negotiations between American Indians and the United States Government that would ultimately define the American West.

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Written by Lizzie Tesch

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com.

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at https://rvshare.com.

Join Jason Epperson in this month's National Park news roundup. Key updates include 2025 timed entry requirements for several national parks like Arches, Rocky Mountain, Glacier, and Yosemite. Discover changes in reservation systems and what it means for your 2025 travel plans. Also, could Chesapeake Bay become a national park? Recent incidents at Yellowstone, policy shifts under the incoming Interior Secretary and more. 

Find the America's National Parks Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1238438736287784

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Standing in the shadows of giant redwood trees is an awe-inducing experience. In California, there's a national park protecting those redwoods and it's one of the state's best-kept secrets. Home to the world's tallest living trees, this world heritage site and international biosphere reserve protects nearly half the world's old-growth redwoods. Come discover thousands of acres of protected forests, pristine and wild scenic rivers, and rugged coastlines hosting whales, seals, and wildflowers in California's Redwood National and State Parks. 

By the start of 1933, thousands of banks across America had already closed their doors. 13 million Americans were unemployed and the stock market had crashed, leaving the United States in the worst economic crisis in modern history. In the twelve years that would follow, the Dust Bowl would ravage the plains and render former farmland useless, heightening the impacts of the depression as the Second World War brought the entire world to a standstill. 

But Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or FDR as many would come to know him, would take it all in stride. Born in Hyde Park, New York in 1882, he was elected to the New York Senate in 1910, would go on to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Wilson, and finally as the Governor of New York before being elected President of the United States in 1932. Perhaps best known for his sweeping economic programs, a deep connection with the American people, and his incredible strength shown amidst personal disaster, he would guide the country through the turbulence with courage, resilience, and, above all else, optimism. 

In the heart of Washington D.C., a tribute to Roosevelt sits in a secluded corner of the National Mall. Designed by renowned landscape architect Lawrence Halprin in 1974, the memorial stretches across 7.5 acres, making it the largest of any National Mall Memorial. The initial plans would wait for more than 20 years before Congress could approve the appropriate funding, but it was eventually dedicated on May 2, 1997, by President Bill Clinton. Consisting of more than 30,000 granite stones from South Dakota and Minnesota and with over 100,000 gallons of water flowing through seven fountains and pools, it is a stark contrast to the monuments that surround it, telling the story of an unprecedented presidency through elements of stone, water, and earth. 

This week on America’s National Parks, take a stroll through the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the lasting legacy of the 32nd President of the United States.

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Written by Lizzie Tesch

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com.