What's it like to work along the borderlands of the US-Mexico border as a public lands steward? Ranger Red joins us to talk about his experiences as a GIS specialist and physical scientist and has worked for the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management. From car chases to jaguars, Red's got some interesting stories to share! We also discuss Senator Mike Lee's newest act against public lands called the "Borderlands Conservation Act" and why it is just another unnecessary attack on Wilderness and fragile ecosystems.

Read about Senator Mike Lee's proposal: Borderlands Conservation Act
See the full text here: Energy.Senate.Gov
Read the SF Gate article: 'Shameless': Utah senator revives crusade against public lands
*In the episode Liz mistakingly said Outside Magazine instead of SF Gate*

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This bonus episode is inspired by Sandra Ramos, our guest and known fondly as the National Park Patch Lady. Sandra is the wizard behind the curtain with "Adopt-a-Ranger" mutual aid initiative, which aims to support rangers who need some joy in these hard times. We also get to know Sandra and hear about her undying love for National Parks and the rangers who care for them.

If you are a ranger (former, current, furloughed, excepted, etc.), whether you're from the US Forest Service, National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, or other relevant agency, we encourage you to sign up with the link below! Once you sign up, Sandra will pair you up with one of the hundreds of kind individuals who signed up to send a care package to a ranger.

If you are not a ranger but wish to support one as a caring member of the community, sign up to "Adopt-a-Ranger" with the link below! More details will be sent afterwards with all that you need to know next.

*This is considered mutual aid and does not violate any ethics laws. No one's personal information will be available for anyone to see publicly.*

Rangers: Sign up HERE to receive a care package from a caring community member.
"Adopt-a-Ranger": Sign up HERE to send a care package to a ranger.

Follow Sandra on Instagram: @nationalparkpatchlady
See original "Adopt-a-Ranger" post here: Instagram

Donate to Association of National Park Rangers: ANPR

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This week we talked with New Mexico Wild's Conservation Director, Bjorn Fredrickson about the importance of wilderness protections and some of the legislation that aims to strip these protections. Specifically, the Border Lands Conservation Act introduced by Senator Mike Lee of Utah poses a lot of concerns for conservationists, and people who enjoy and use public lands.

Interested in learning more about New Mexico Wild? You can find their website at nmwild.org and on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

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Sources:

1. Border Lands Conservation Act
2. The Wilderness Act of 1964 Explanation

The magic of foraging for mushrooms, berries, medicinal plants and so much more is not just a hobby for Gabrielle Cerberville, but a lifestyle. In this episode we discuss the rights of nature, protecting public lands, foraging ideologies, and a fun round of Ranger Ranking questions.

Gabrielle, also known as "Chaotic Forager" on social media, just wrote and published her first book Gathered: On Foraging, Feasting and the Seasonal Life, which she describes as a "guide to fielding" as opposed to a field guide. She wants to help people become comfortable with foraging and to learn more about why it is so good for us!

Gabrielle's book can be found wherever books are sold and is out now! Go give it a read!

Visit Gabrielle's website: gabriellecerberville.com
Follow Gabrielle on Instagram: @chaoticforager
Follow Gabrielle on TikTok: @chaoticforager

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Bats, caves & rescues, oh my! Ranger Hannah Croxton immerses us in some spooky stories from their time as a US Forest Service Lead Ranger at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Oregon.

Alongside all the other amazing federal workers who protect our public lands, Hannah has experienced the tumultuous uncertainty that plagues the federal workforce this year. She shares what she is doing now, what she's been through as a federal worker in 2025, and how much she loves being a ranger.

Please support our federal workers by sharing this episode and Hannah's story with others. We encourage you to stand up for our public lands and the rangers who work so hard to serve them. 

Follow Hannah on Instagram: @hannahcroxton.

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Author and former Wildland Firefighter River Selby (they/them) wrote and published their memoire Hotshot: A Life on Fire on August 12, 2025. In this episode, River talks about what it was like being a hotshot and wildland firefighter from both a personal and scientific perspective. In Hotshot, readers are taken on a journey through sweltering wildfire action, awareness regarding fire ecology and culture, and River's personal experiences -- which will have you on the edge of your seat!

You can find Hotshot: A Life on Fire anywhere you can buy books. River and ROTLP recommend supporting independent bookstores as a first resort. Audiobook version is available on any audiobook platform as well.

Visit River's Website to learn more: RiverSelby.com.
Follow River on Instagram: @riverselby.
Subscribe to River's Substack: Gathering.

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SJ Joslin (they/them), a bat biologist from Yosemite National Park, was unjustly fired from their dream job by the federal government for flying the trans flag in the park. They were off-duty, left no trace (aka zero damage) and did this purely with good intentions. This was not a demonstration, despite what the Department of Interior stated, but an act of inclusion depicting that trans people belong outdoors, too.

We speak with SJ about what happened on May 20 when they flew the flag and what happened in August when they were consequentially fired for it. SJ also shares about their passions, education, and belief in the Constitution and the right to express Freedom of Speech. We also have some fun and share some silly stories together because, at the end of the day, we want to be joyful despite the adversity thrown our way.

Follow SJ on Instagram: @shannonekj
-DM them for emails of the superintendents and NPS in charge of their firings to tell them to reinstate SJ immediately.

Donate to SJ's GoFundMe to help with legal fees: GoFundMe

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to support 640 million acres of public lands across the United States? In this episode, Gaby Rojas from Public Lands Alliance explains how nonprofits support our nation's treasures for the future.

Find Public Lands Alliance at publiclandsalliance.org.

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Join us this week for reviews from National Parks, Monuments, Forests, and more! Liz explains the difference between each type and then dives into the reviews. We hope this silly episode can bring joy to a chaotic week! Thank you to our friends at National Park After Dark for the episode idea.

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The Department of Interior proposed to rescind the Public Lands Rule, also known as the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, on September 10, 2025. This rule codifies conservation as a "legitimate use" of public lands, and in this week's episode Mikayla and Liz explore different uses and their impacts on conservation. Do you think conservation, or "no use", is a legitimate use of our public lands?

Sources Cited in this episode:
1. Conservation and Landscape Health Rule
2. Federal Register
3. Overview of Public Lands Rule
4. Proposed Rescission
5. Resistance Rangers Instagram Post: Instagram vs. Reality
6. BLM About Livestock Grazing
7. BLM Livestock Grazing Overview
8. 7 Ways Oil and Gas Drilling are Bad for the Environment
9. Renewable Energy Article
10. National Recreation and Park Association

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Join our Patreon!

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

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