The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) covers about 19.3 million acres in northeast Alaska and is the largest national refuge in the United States. And unfortunately, it is a huge target for oil and gas drilling despite its protections currently in place.

The Refuge includes diverse habitats that support an abundance of species including caribou, brown, black and polar bears, Dall sheep, moose, foxes, muskoxen, marine mammals including whales and seals, and thousands of different birds. The calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou herd, which have sustained Gwich’in people for generations, are within the Coastal Plain of the Refuge. The Refuge’s coastal plain also provides an important denning area for female polar bears in winter. It is SO important that we protect this incredible place.

Joining Liz is author and longtime resident of Alaska: Debbie Miller. She shares stories of magical wildlife encounters within ANWR, her deep love for Alaska wilderness and more! Speak up for the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge while you still can.

Support Alaska Wilderness League: AlaskaWild.org.
Follow Alaska Wilderness League on Instagram: @keepalaskawild.

Learn more about Debbie Miller and her books here.
Follow Debbie on Instagram: @debbiesmiller2.
Order Midnight Wilderness: Journeys in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by Debbie Miller.

Listen to & Learn more about Encounters North.

Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.
Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.

Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.

Now available on YouTube! Watch Rangers of the Lost Park select episodes.

Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!

Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!

Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!

For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at [email protected].

Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!

Sam Forstag is an outdoorsy guy! He worked as a smokejumper and wildland firefighter for years with the US Forest Service-- until December of 2025, when he decided it was time to run for Congress. And the amazing part? He's only 31, he's from a working-class lifestyle, and he speaks up for rangers. Oh, and he really cares about public lands.

Visit Sam's website: samformontana.com.
Follow Sam on Instagram: @samforstag.

Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.
Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.

Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.

Now available on YouTube! Watch Rangers of the Lost Park select episodes.

Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!

Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!

Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!

For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at [email protected].

Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!

This week’s episode takes a deep dive into the life of the American farmer– the culture surrounding it, why what we eat matters and how we farm matters, and a new documentary that is just now starting to show screenings: Fork in the Road. I found out about this exciting new documentary from renowned actor and woodworker Nick Offerman (Ron Swanson, for those who need a reminder) online, and I was instantly intrigued! He is one of the Executive Producers for Fork in the Road and makes appearances in the film as well.

Joining Rangers of the Lost Park to talk about this investigative and humanistic film are the two people who are the creatives behind it: Executive Producer and Co-Director Vivian Sorenson and Executive Producer Lisa Holmes! These women are intelligent, creative, kind, and truly wonderful.

We talk about the importance of supporting local farmers and the non-profits directly involved; we talk about finding community and enlightening conversations at the kitchen table; we talk about sea otters and pikas; we talk about Mary and Wendell Berry's involvement in the film-- and so much more!

Visit the Fork in the Road website to learn more about upcoming showings, the farmers and organizations involved, and more: forkintheroaddocumentary.com.

Follow Fork in the Road Documentary film and team on Instagram: @forkintheroaddoc.

Follow Vivian Sorenson on Instagram: @vivstirnyc.
Follow Lisa Holmes on Instagram: @lisaholmesct.

Check out Zero Foodprint: zerofoodprint.org.

Learn more about Wild Child Films: wildchildfilms.net.

Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.
Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.

Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.

Now available on YouTube! Watch Rangers of the Lost Park select episodes.

Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!

Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!

Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!

For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at [email protected].

Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!

Aaron Murphy of American Hunters & Anglers (AHA) is truly a public lands patriot! Since he was young, Aaron has loved the outdoors unconditionally. He served as a Ranger at Yellowstone National Park in the late 90s, he has campaigned and was chief of staff for a Senator, and now he advocates for public lands with AHA on social media and in Washington DC.

Aaron and Liz talk about their shared love for the outdoors, funny stories from our time as rangers, an update on the US Forest Service reorganization (spoiler: it sucks), current public lands issues, and some much needed laughter. Because you can have two truths at once: you can be informed and talk about what is going on, AND find joy through it all.

Follow American Hunters & Anglers on Instagram: @americanhuntersanglers.
Check out their website: americanhuntersandanglers.org.

Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.
Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.

Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.

Now available on YouTube! Watch Rangers of the Lost Park select episodes.

Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!

Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!

Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!

For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at [email protected].

Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!

Jesse Hamner is an experienced and knowledgable wildland firefighter with a huge heart. After experiencing great loss in 2025, she embarked on a grand roadtrip around the United States in search of community and healing. Since then, Jesse created "Keep Flaming," a safe space for anyone who feels "othered" in wildland fire (especially queer folk) and seek a supportive community in order to thrive not only in their careers but in their personal lives as well.

Jesse shares raw aspects of her journey throughout her Fire career, who she is at her core and how she dedicates her time to speaking up for herself and for others. She also shares some exciting stories from her time as a firefighter!

Follow "Keep Flaming" on Instagram: @keep.flaming.

Follow Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics & Ecology (FUSEE) on Instagram: @fuseefire.

Follow Hotshot Wellness on Instagram: @hotshotwellness.

Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.
Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.

Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.

Now available on YouTube! Watch Rangers of the Lost Park select episodes.

Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!

Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!

Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!

For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at [email protected].

Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!

Mattison "Matt" Shreero & Max Scott: two park rangers who are both incredible paleontologists and geologists! Matt and Max join Liz on this jurassic episode of Rangers of the Lost Park to talk about all sorts of cool things. They help debunk some of the big myths we are hearing in the news, they talk about fossils and how old the Earth is (hint: it's older than 6,000 years), and so much more! Come laugh along with us and sit back for an enjoyable episode about science communication, Jurassic Park wrongdoings, and tackling mis- and disinformation.

Follow Matt & Max on YouTube: GeoSplore.

Follow Matt on Instagram: @geosplore.
Follow Matt on TikTok: @GeoSplore.

Follow Max on Instagram: @notoriousnaturalistmax.
Follow Max on TikTok: @NotoriousNaturalist.

Check out the Weird & Dead paleontology podcast.

Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.
Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.

Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.

Now available on YouTube! Watch Rangers of the Lost Park select episodes.

Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!

Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!

Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!

For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at [email protected].

Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!

Alligator Alcatraz: remember that? Well, it's still very much a thing. In fact, it is still operating despite the lawsuits and public outcry. And guess what? It's going to be on your radar again very soon.

Did you know that the location of Alligator Alcatraz, the very place that is currently causing ecological destruction, is the reason for the existence of the Clean Water Act, NEPA, and Earth Day? Do you want to know how? Let me tell you a story. You will get to learn all about its fascinating history, the environmental fight that came out of a proposed jetport in the heart of the Everglades, and what Friends of the Everglades is now doing to take action against Alligator Alcatraz.

I'm joined by Eve Samples, the Executive Director for Friends of the Everglades, who gives us an intimate perspective of how to combat Alligator Alcatraz and protect the important ecological diversity of the Florida Everglades.

Take Action: Sign up for Friends of the Everglades' newsletter to keep up to date with what's happening in the Everglades.
Take Action: Visit the "STOP Alligator Alcatraz page and call your Reps & Senators and tell them to speak out against Alligator Alcatraz.

Follow Friends of the Everglades on Instagram: @friendsoftheeverglades.

Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.
Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.

Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.

Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!

Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!

Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!

For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at [email protected].

Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!

Sources:
1. "How a detention center awoke a decades-old environmental fight" - NPR
2. "STOP "Alligator Alcatraz" - America's WORST idea" - Friends of the Everglades
3. "Lawsuit Opposing "Alligator Alcatraz" Points To Federal Ties, Land Disturbance" - National Parks Traveler
4. "Unpacking Florida's immigration trends - demographers take a closer look at the legal and undocumented population" - WLRN Public Media
5. "Trump gets key wins at Supreme Court on immigration, despite some misgivings" - Reuters
6. "Trump says his plan to expel millions of immigrants will be a 'bloody story'" - Independent UK
7. "Denied, detailed, deported: the faces of Trump's immigration crackdown" - The Guardian
8. "America's Everglades - The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States" - National Park Service
9. "Endless Opportunities in Nature's Mosaic" - National Park Service
10. "An Insider's Guide to Everglades & Beyond" - NPCA

Liz is joined by Danielle and Cassie of National Park After Dark Podcast! Together they read and react through Trail Tales (listener stories), all of which are park ranger-themed, and discuss a variety of topics regarding National Parks, public lands, and more.

Last year, 2025, Liz was featured on NPAD's March 3rd episode A Love Worth Fighting For: Speaking Up For Our Public Lands alongside two other rangers who were illegally fired as well.

Cassie and Danielle catch up with Liz on what has happened regarding our Parks, Forests, and more-- plus what we need to pay attention to. Taking action is a community effort, and we can find solace in knowing that so many of us truly care.

Enjoy the view, but watch your back. We are Rangers of the Lost Park, encouraging you to Ranger On!
  
Listen to National Park After Dark on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get your podcasts.
Watch NPAD on YouTube.
Follow NPAD on Instagram: @nationalparkafterdark.

Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.
Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.

Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.

Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!

Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!

Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!

For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at [email protected].

Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!

My guest today is someone I am so beyond stoked to talk to. She is a powerful woman who specializes in wilderness skills, traditional lifeways, and ancestral skills. She is an author, a mother, a teacher, a woman of bushcraft, and a lover of nature. Oh, and did I mention she is the first female winner of the History Channel’s show Alone? Yes, my friends, my guest today is Woniya Thibeault.

We talk about her time and experiences from both Season 6 of Alone and Season 1 of Alone: Frozen, of which she won after 50 days alone out in the harsh (and beautiful) Canadian wilderness. Woniya also shares her perspectives as a woman who practices bushcraft and her sense of belonging in nature. What does she wish she had brought with her as an item on the show? What are some of the biggest mistakes she has seen contestants make? What was recovery for her like afterwards? All this and more on this week's very special episode!

Join Woniya for one of her courses: In-person or Online.
Visit Woniya's website: WoniyaThibeault.com.
Follow Woniya on Instagram: @woniya_timelessways.
Order her book: Never Alone.
Check out her YouTube Channel: Buckskin Revolution.

Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.
Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.

Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.

Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!

Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!

Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!

For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at [email protected].

Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!

Liz chats with Vikram Baliga - known for his online presence as The Plant Prof and podcast Planthropology - about loving plants and the plant community, wild 5-minute plant hack videos, Big Bend National Park, and more! Vikram also shares that he wishes for folks to find the beauty in the outdoors whenever they can. Yay plants!

Follow Vikram on Instagram: @the.plant.prof.
Listen to his podcast: Planthropology.
Check out his book Plants to the Rescue! (Support your local bookshop!)

Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.
Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.

Join Patreon! Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community.

Got a cool Ranger Tea story? Want Liz to share your interesting outdoors story on the podcast? Fill out the Listener Story Form!

Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form!

Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form!

For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at [email protected].

Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening!