Surface Exposure

The Case for Locally Grown Food - with Niccole C. Radhe

Horticulturalist Niccole C Radhe joins for this episode. She breaks down the importance of reconnecting with our food through gardening and sourcing locally grown products. Niccole makes the case that, in addition to being healthy and tasty, consciously grown food promotes positive impacts to the environment, ecology, community, and society.  Niccole describes methods to overcome barriers to growing and sourcing local organic food. She shares ideas on how to become involved in your community gardens and farmers markets, and the benefits to be had in doing so. During the episode, Niccole gives a shout out to handful of active organizations in Southern Arizona. If you’re local or traveling through, and want to participate in a great cause, check out: Native Seeds/SEARCH -https://www.nativeseeds.org/ [https://www.nativeseeds.org/] Awareness Ranch - https://www.awarenessranch.com/ [https://www.awarenessranch.com/] Borderlands Restoration Network - https://www.borderlandsrestoration.org/ [https://www.borderlandsrestoration.org/] Sky Island Alliance - https://skyislandalliance.org/ [https://skyislandalliance.org/] Watershed Management Group - https://watershedmg.org/ [https://watershedmg.org/] Tucson Botanical Garden - https://tucsonbotanical.org/ [https://tucsonbotanical.org/] Tucson Organic Gardeners - https://www.tucsonorganicgardeners.org/ [https://www.tucsonorganicgardeners.org/] Santa Cruz Farmers Market Rillito Farmers Market --- Connect, support, and follow along at: https://linktr.ee/surfaceexposure [https://linktr.ee/surfaceexposure]  ★ Support this podcast ★ [https://buymeacoffee.com/surfaceexposure]

Borderlands Restoration Network, Economy of Resource Conservation, Restoration Efforts on the Border - W. Rodrigo Sierra Corona - #008

I am joined by Rodrigo Sierra Corona, the executive Director of Borderlands Restoration Network; an organization that strives to grow a restorative economy by rebuilding healthy ecosystems, restoring habitat for plants and wildlife, and reconnecting border communities to the land through shared learning.  The organization envisions connected borderlands where rivers flow, plants, wildlife and cultures thrive, and communities develop an inclusive restorative economy where a sense of places inspires a sense of purpose.   The organization performs vital natural resource conservation work in the Sky Island’s of Southern Arizona and Northern Sonora via land acquisitions for conservation and wildlife, watershed restoration, native plant propagation, education, and community connection.  The Madrean Archipelago, or commonly known as the Sky Island region, is a hotspot for biodiversity - hosting unique ecosystems and wildlife found no where else.  During the conversation Rodrigo examines land and water use in Southern Arizona - illustrating how natural resource conservation contributes positively to the economy. He showcases the efforts, work and opportunities the organization produces.  Rodrigo shares significant wisdom for folks of all walks of life concerning our relationship with natural resources and why we should probably care. He also offers advice, insight, and resources for those who want to be more involved in conservation.   Reach out directly to the organization at borderlandsrestoration.org [http://borderlandsrestoration.org] Instagram: @borderlandsrestoration --- Connect, support, and follow along at: https://linktr.ee/surfaceexposure [https://linktr.ee/surfaceexposure]  ★ Support this podcast ★ [https://buymeacoffee.com/surfaceexposure]

The Arizona Trail: How It’s Built, Maintained, and Protected with ATA Executive Director Matthew Nelson

What’s the best kept secret in Arizona? What’s it take to build and maintain an 800 mile long National Scenic Trail from Mexico to Utah? Looking for an adventure of a lifetime? On this episode I chat with Executive Director of the Arizona Trail Association, Matthew Nelson. The Arizona Trail Association’s Mission is to build, maintain, protect, promote the Trail, engage with the public in working together to care for the Arizona National Scenic Trail. In this conversation, Matthew describes the efforts in progress set out to accomplish this mission. Matthew takes us on a guided tour of the Arizona Trail highlighting spectacular landscapes, values, and experiences along the way. He shares origins of the trail, describing the process of establishing an 800 mile long passage from Mexico to Utah. During the conversation Matthew explains the value the Trail brings to the individual, local communities, the State of Arizona, the economy, wildlife, and environment. He makes a case stating the importance of caring for this cultural resource and major artery of Arizona’s $15 billion outdoor recreation industry. Want to become involved? Listen to learn more about opportunities to participate in caring for the AZT.  Reach out at: volunteer@aztrail.org [volunteer@aztrail.org] Visit Aztrail.org [http://Aztrail.org] for upcoming events, programs, trail resources, newsletters, and opportunities to become involved.   Matthew gave a shout out to some other notable organizations worth checking out: Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists sdmb.org [http://sdmb.org] @sdmb_org   Torca  www.torca.org [http://www.torca.org] @torqcamtb County line riders of Catalina www.countylineriders.org [http://www.countylineriders.org] Tucson saddle club  www.Tucsonsaddleclub.org [http://www.Tucsonsaddleclub.org] Huachuca Hiking Club  @ www.Groups.io Flagstaff biking organization  www.flagstaffbiking.org [http://www.flagstaffbiking.org] @flagstaffbikingorg Legends of Superior Trail Ala Kahakai Trail Association (Hawaii)  @alakahakaitrailassociation www.Alakahakai.com [http://www.Alakahakai.com] --- Connect, support, and follow along at: https://linktr.ee/surfaceexposure [https://linktr.ee/surfaceexposure]  ★ Support this podcast ★ [https://buymeacoffee.com/surfaceexposure]

Life on Trail Crew and Wildland Firefighting W/ Simon Mckay- #006

What does a day in the life look like protecting our public lands? Join conservationist, trail builder, and wildland firefighter Simon McKay for a deep dive into the work that protects America’s public lands. Simon shares honest insights from years of building and maintaining trails, serving in conservation programs, and fighting wildfire across the West. We explore the meaning of public lands, the evolution of outdoor recreation, daily life on a trail crew, and what it takes to step onto the fireline. The conversation moves onto the fireline, where Simon explains the Incident Command System (ICS), strategies used in wildland fire, life on assignment, and the values firefighters work to protect. He offers stories from the field — from holding the line to broccoli-bomb pranks — and gives guidance for listeners who want to get involved in conservation corps programs, trail work, or wildland fire. —Links— Find a job with the conservation corps near you: https://corpsnetwork.org/jobs-at-corps/ [https://corpsnetwork.org/jobs-at-corps/] --- Connect with, support the program, and more content at: https://linktr.ee/surfaceexposure [https://linktr.ee/surfaceexposure]  ★ Support this podcast ★ [https://buymeacoffee.com/surfaceexposure]

Wild Arizona, Making Resource Conservation Work Happen w/ Dexter Kopas - #005

What does it take to make resource conservation projects happen? In this Episode, Dexter Kopas illustrates issues involving public lands and resources in Arizona. Then describes the Campaigns set in place by Wild Arizona in response. Dexter shares his experiences from his years doing conservation work, reveals bigger picture insights and the knitty gritty details of making resource protection happen. Wild Arizona’s mission is to protect, unite, and restore wild lands and waters across Arizona and beyond for the enrichment and health for humans, and to ensure native plants and animals a lasting home in nature. Wild Arizona organizes and amplifies multi-community voices of support for legislation; advocate for conservation policy; and cultivate stewardship, awareness, and well being through outdoor volunteerism, science, and education. Thank you for listening ❤️ More show notes, links, resources: Episode Links wildarizona.org⁠ [http://wildarizona.org] - stay up to date on current conservation efforts, opportunities to participate, educational material, and further resources.   Wild Arizona Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_arizona_ [https://www.instagram.com/wild_arizona_] Thesauer.weebly.com [http://Thesauer.weebly.com]- Sonoran Ultra Endurance Ride. A 315 Mile self supported ultra endurance bicycle ride through iconic regions of the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona. Sonoran Ultra Endurance Ride Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sauer.tucson [https://www.instagram.com/sauer.tucson] Social Links --- Connect with, support the program, and more content at: https://linktr.ee/surfaceexposure [https://linktr.ee/surfaceexposure]  ★ Support this podcast ★ [https://buymeacoffee.com/surfaceexposure]