Rangers of the Lost Park

48: Green Girl Leah Thomas - Nicodemus National Historic Site, Cats as a Feminist Icon & Intersectional Environmentalism

"Green Girl" Leah Thomas coined the term Intersectional Environmentalist at the age 25, when she wrote and published her book titled The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/leah-thomas/the-intersectional-environmentalist/9780316281935/?lens=voracious]. Since 2020, Leah has spoken up in the name of eco-communication and brings forth the understanding that social justice and climate justice are one in the same. Leah talks about her time as a park ranger at Nicodemus National Historic Site and the White House Visitor Center, why cats are a feminist icon, intersectional environmentalism at its core, and more! Follow Leah Thomas on Instagram: @greengirlleah [https://www.instagram.com/greengirlleah]. Follow Leah Thomas on TikTok: @greengirlsworld [https://www.tiktok.com/@greengirlsworld]. Check out Leah's websites: Intersectional Environmentalist [https://intersectionalenvironmentalist.com/] & LeahThomas.com [https://www.leahthomas.com/]. Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark [https://www.instagram.com/rangersofthelostpark/]. Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark [https://www.tiktok.com/@rangersofthelostpark]. Join Patreon! [https://patreon.com/RangersoftheLostPark?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community. Now available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RangersoftheLostParkPodcast]! 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! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXnRUqzezCrJor3QsGElRd8EcZR4KEbM8kNf9XypsdOBKQww/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRGohJzq7uvx0Eh8dSr5eS3ThVlGXjw2XZfI-h1fcyBl1pig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJPE6SjXzOTWjPbIu1iZaltbQE9N3-6q3E2-PKGzPCJ_lOPA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at info@rangersofthelostpark.com [info@rangersofthelostpark.com]. Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://patreon.com/rangersofthelostpark]

47: Chrisha Favors - The Radical Homesteader

Chrisha Favors isn't afraid to be her authentic self and spread joy whenever she can! She spends her days tending to her garden and is proud to be a black woman landowner in the state of Oregon. Historically, people of color could not own land in the Pacific Northwest area we now call Oregon. In fact, it was punishable by physical force (and even death) and backed by racist colonizers. Chrisha serves her community with the Black Cultural Initiative, which aims to connect peoples of color with cultural food and traditions, as well as provide safety in the outdoors. Liz and Chrisha talk about all sorts of fun things: mushroom foraging, absolutely diabolical river tubing stories, gardening, and more! Follow Chrisha on Instagram: @naturally_chrisha [https://www.instagram.com/naturally_chrisha/]. Follow Black Cultural Initiative on Instagram: @blackculturalinitiative [https://www.instagram.com/blackculturalinitiative/]. Follow Black Cultural Initiative on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/blackculturalinitiative]. Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark [https://www.instagram.com/rangersofthelostpark/]. Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark [https://www.tiktok.com/@rangersofthelostpark]. Join Patreon! [https://patreon.com/RangersoftheLostPark?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community. Now available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RangersoftheLostParkPodcast]! 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! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXnRUqzezCrJor3QsGElRd8EcZR4KEbM8kNf9XypsdOBKQww/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRGohJzq7uvx0Eh8dSr5eS3ThVlGXjw2XZfI-h1fcyBl1pig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJPE6SjXzOTWjPbIu1iZaltbQE9N3-6q3E2-PKGzPCJ_lOPA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at info@rangersofthelostpark.com [info@rangersofthelostpark.com]. Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://patreon.com/rangersofthelostpark]

46: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with Debbie Miller

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 [https://alaskawild.org/]. Follow Alaska Wilderness League on Instagram: @keepalaskawild [https://www.instagram.com/keepalaskawild/]. Learn more about Debbie Miller and her books here. [https://www.mountaineers.org/members/debbie-miller-1?ajax_load=1] Follow Debbie on Instagram: @debbiesmiller2 [https://www.instagram.com/debbiesmiller2/]. Order Midnight Wilderness: Journeys in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by Debbie Miller [https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Wilderness-Journeys-National-Wildlife/dp/1594856338]. Listen to & Learn more about Encounters North [https://www.encountersnorth.org/]. Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark [https://www.instagram.com/rangersofthelostpark/]. Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark [https://www.tiktok.com/@rangersofthelostpark]. Join Patreon! [https://patreon.com/RangersoftheLostPark?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community. Now available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RangersoftheLostParkPodcast]! 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! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXnRUqzezCrJor3QsGElRd8EcZR4KEbM8kNf9XypsdOBKQww/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRGohJzq7uvx0Eh8dSr5eS3ThVlGXjw2XZfI-h1fcyBl1pig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJPE6SjXzOTWjPbIu1iZaltbQE9N3-6q3E2-PKGzPCJ_lOPA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at info@rangersofthelostpark.com [info@rangersofthelostpark.com]. Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://patreon.com/rangersofthelostpark]

45: From Montana US Forest Service Smokejumper to Congress - Sam Forstag

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 [https://samformontana.com/]. Follow Sam on Instagram: @samforstag [https://www.instagram.com/samforstag/]. Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark [https://www.instagram.com/rangersofthelostpark/]. Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark [https://www.tiktok.com/@rangersofthelostpark]. Join Patreon! [https://patreon.com/RangersoftheLostPark?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community. Now available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RangersoftheLostParkPodcast]! 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! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXnRUqzezCrJor3QsGElRd8EcZR4KEbM8kNf9XypsdOBKQww/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRGohJzq7uvx0Eh8dSr5eS3ThVlGXjw2XZfI-h1fcyBl1pig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJPE6SjXzOTWjPbIu1iZaltbQE9N3-6q3E2-PKGzPCJ_lOPA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at info@rangersofthelostpark.com [info@rangersofthelostpark.com]. Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://patreon.com/rangersofthelostpark]

44: American Farmers & What We Eat with Documentary Filmmakers Vivian Sorenson & Lisa Holmes

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 [https://www.forkintheroaddocumentary.com/]. Follow Fork in the Road Documentary film and team on Instagram: @forkintheroaddoc [https://www.instagram.com/forkintheroaddoc/]. Follow Vivian Sorenson on Instagram: @vivstirnyc [https://www.instagram.com/vivstirnyc/]. Follow Lisa Holmes on Instagram: @lisaholmesct [https://www.instagram.com/lisaholmesct/]. Check out Zero Foodprint: zerofoodprint.org [https://www.zerofoodprint.org/]. Learn more about Wild Child Films: wildchildfilms.net [https://www.wildchildfilms.net/]. Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark [https://www.instagram.com/rangersofthelostpark/]. Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark [https://www.tiktok.com/@rangersofthelostpark]. Join Patreon! [https://patreon.com/RangersoftheLostPark?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink]Become a Ranger Friend for bonus content and to join an incredible community. Now available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RangersoftheLostParkPodcast]! 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! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXnRUqzezCrJor3QsGElRd8EcZR4KEbM8kNf9XypsdOBKQww/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] Have a question for Liz? Want her to answer it on an episode? Fill out the Listener Question Form! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRGohJzq7uvx0Eh8dSr5eS3ThVlGXjw2XZfI-h1fcyBl1pig/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] Do you know someone who would make a great guest on the podcast (yourself included)? Fill out the Podcast Guest Request Form! [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJPE6SjXzOTWjPbIu1iZaltbQE9N3-6q3E2-PKGzPCJ_lOPA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101556467726973355624] For episode suggestions and feedback, please email Liz at info@rangersofthelostpark.com [info@rangersofthelostpark.com]. Please download, subscribe, and leave a review! Thank you for listening! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ [https://patreon.com/rangersofthelostpark]