• Episode 53: OHV Recreation on the Stanislaus National Forest
    Dec 21 2024

    Put your seatbelt on and hold on tight. In this episode, we ride along with the Joaquin Jeepers, a 4x4 club based out of Stockton, California, and an official partner with the Stanislaus National Forest, on their adopted trail, Slick Rock. The club shares their outdoor ethics, how they care for their trail, their relationship with the Forest Service and their passion in keeping OHV trails open to offroad enthusists. This episode is also available as a videocast, which can be watched here: https://usda-fs.wistia.com/medias/j3o1eke8ux

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    56 mins
  • Episode 52: For the Frogs - Reintroduction
    Nov 28 2024

    This is the fifth and final installment of a miniseries about amphibian conservation and determination called For the Frogs. In each episode, we will meet to one native amphibian that can be found in California's national forests. These creatures are important to ecological health and can deepen our connections with public lands, but they are also in a state of decline. Fortunately, a village of specialists are devoted to conserving these species. The stories of their resolute conservation efforts, pursued through obstacles and setbacks, provides portraits of determination that we can pocket and apply to our own personal experiences with adversity. This time, we meet the mountain yellow-legged frog and tag along during a reintroduction of this endangered species to the Angeles National Forest.

    Transcript and show notes available here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/home/?cid=FSEPRD1217273

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    25 mins
  • Episode 51: For the Frogs - Investigation
    Oct 6 2024

    This is the fourth installment of a miniseries about amphibian conservation and determination called For the Frogs. In each episode, we will meet to one native amphibian that can be found in California's national forests. These creatures are important to ecological health and can deepen our connections with public lands, but they are also in a state of decline. Fortunately, a village of specialists are devoted to conserving these species. The stories of their resolute conservation efforts, pursued through obstacles and setbacks, provides portraits of determination that we can pocket and apply to our own personal experiences with adversity. This time, we meet the Yosemite toad and leap into long-term monitoring, a process of investigation that tracks changes in frog populations.

    Transcript and show notes available here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/home/?cid=FSEPRD1208464

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    18 mins
  • Episode 50: Wood Innovations and Biomass Utilization
    Sep 13 2024

    In our 50th episode we turn back towards Nature's Benefits and cut further into Timber and Wood Products by discussing Wood Innovations and Biomass Utilization with a program specialist from the Pacific Southwest Regional Office. We talk grants, mass timber, forward-thinking projects, tribal initiatives, urban forestry and more with guests from the Angeles National Forest and a sawmill owner in Los Angeles.

    Pacific Southwest Region’s Wood and Biomass Utilization Program

    National USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations

    For tons more information (Forest Focus Ep. 50 Homepage)

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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Episode 49: Wilderness Walking
    Sep 7 2024

    We’re taking a wilderness walk in recognition of this anniversary year of the 1964 Wilderness Act, which created the National Wilderness Preservation System. But long before the Wilderness Act, and long before we were even using the word “wilderness”, these lands were used and stewarded by Indigenous communities. So, designated wilderness areas are both Tribal homelands and places for recreation. Taking a walk in these lands is an opportunity to think about wilderness means to us, which can help us connect to nature and each other.

    Show Notes Available HERE.

    Transcript Available HERE.

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    6 mins
  • Episode 48: For the Frogs - Construction
    Aug 9 2024

    This is the third installment of a miniseries about amphibian conservation and determination called For the Frogs. In each episode, we will meet to one native amphibian that can be found in California's national forests. These creatures are important to ecological health and can deepen our connections with public lands, but they are also in a state of decline. Fortunately, a village of specialists are devoted to conserving these species. The stories of their resolute conservation efforts, pursued through obstacles and setbacks, provides portraits of determination that we can pocket and apply to our own personal experiences with adversity. This time, we meet the California red-legged frog and hop into wetland construction.

    Transcript Available HERE

    Show Notes Availalbe HERE

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    20 mins
  • Episode 47: For the Frogs - Restoration
    Jul 4 2024

    This is the second installment of a miniseries about amphibian conservation and determination called For the Frogs. In each episode, we will meet to one native amphibian that can be found in California's national forests. These creatures are important to ecological health and can deepen our connections with public lands, but they are also in a state of decline. Fortunately, a village of specialists are devoted to conserving these species. The stories of their resolute conservation efforts, pursued through obstacles and setbacks, provides portraits of determination that we can pocket and apply to our own personal experiences with adversity. This time, we meet the Cascades frog and learn about a collaborative effort that led to the restoration of an important meadow.

    Transcript availalbe HERE

    Show notes available HERE

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    24 mins
  • Episode 46: For the Frogs - Translocation
    May 31 2024

    This is the first installment of a miniseries about amphibian conservation and determination. We're calling the miniseries For the Frogs. In each episode, we will meet to one native amphibian that can be found in California's national forests. These creatures are important to ecological health, and once we get to know them, they can deepen our connections with public lands. But each of these species is in a state of decline due to overlapping threats, including pathogens, introduced predators, habitat loss, drought and wildfire. Fortunately, there is a village of specialists devoted to conserving these species despite the colossal challenge of the threat supergroup. The stories of their resolute conservation efforts, pursued through obstacles and setbacks, provides portraits of determination that we can pocket and apply to our own personal experiences with adversity.

    For a transcript, click here.

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    14 mins