In 2019, we had to cut our summer season short due to the forest fires that wreaked havoc on the Kenai Peninsula. Living in a temperate rainforest climate, it's easy to forget that Alaska is prime real estate for forest fires to burn hundreds of thousands to millions of acres each summer. On today's episode, we invite Lily Coyle, a public information officer with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, on the podcast to discuss fighting forest fires in the state of Alaska. How are fires in Alaska started? What steps can you take to prevent human caused fires? And will a root beer step up to the plate and score as high as a beer?! It's the episode that's a smokin' good time!

Alaskan Beverage of the Week: Root Beer by Stoney Creek BrewHouse [https://www.stoneycreekakbrew.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

A podcast all about birds. Two bird experts, John Bates and Shannon Hackett, educate...

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Which month is the best month of the year to visit Alaska? The answer depends on what you want to see and do and while Alaska is known for its summer tourism season, the fall, winter and springs months all have plenty to offer anyone willing to visit the Last Frontier. On today's episode, we go through the calendar month by month to share some of the bigger events happening in Alaska as well as our own personal anecdotes to what we like and don't like about that specific time of year. When do Alaskans chuck vehicles off a cliff? What the heck is an outhouse race? And what month is the best month to visit the Nordic Spa?! It's the episode that will give you that spoiler...its every month!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Everything Nice by Forbidden Peak Brewery [https://forbiddenpeak.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

A podcast all about birds. Two bird experts, John Bates and Shannon Hackett, educate...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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We've hit triple digits ladies and gentlemen! 100 episodes made and for this special occasion, we make sure to let the whole world know that bald is beautiful. On today's wildlife spotlight episode, we highlight the American Bald Eagle in all its glory and tell you all the incredible things that make this bird the best in the business. What nickname will our fans now go by? How can a brewery impress us before we even pop open the can? And what is an acceptable word to say when you first spot a bald eagle? It's the episode that'll have you shouting FREEDOM!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Arctic Warrior American Ale by Matanuska Brewing Company [https://matanuskabrewco.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

A podcast all about birds. Two bird experts, John Bates and Shannon Hackett, educate...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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There is a new eaglet in the Last Frontier Podcast family. With this being the first episode recorded since Baby Taco joined the nest, what better topic could there be than raising kids in Alaska. Friend of the pod Jared was raised in Alaska and has a 12 year old daughter himself so he joins the program to share his insights on what makes Alaska such a unique place to raise a family. How early can you get those kiddos on an adventure? What unique lessons does the Alaska setting help teach your kids? And how did Baby Taco get her name?! It's the episode you might hear some crying in the background!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout by Turnagain Brewing [https://www.turnagainbrewing.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

A podcast all about birds. Two bird experts, John Bates and Shannon Hackett, educate...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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We recently did a four part mini-series on the Russian impact on the Last Frontier and this episode kinda serves as your post credits scene to that movie. A century after Russia sold Alaska to the United States, this land would serve as a buffer and play an integral role in the period of time known as the Cold War. On today's episode, we throw in an epilogue to our Russian mini-series and go through everything that happened in Alaska during the Cold War. Why was the North Pole strategic during the Cold War? How did the Cold War strategies evolve in Alaska over the decades? And which podcast host would you rather have save your life?! It's the episode we hope won't go obsolete!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Hazy IPA by King Street Brewing Company [http://www.kingstreetbrewing.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

A podcast all about birds. Two bird experts, John Bates and Shannon Hackett, educate...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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It's been a full two years since we did a Hawaiian mini-series and went through a March Madness style bracket to determine our favorite Hawaiian adventures. And for fans of the pod who have been begging that we do a similar episode for Alaska, you are in luck as this is that episode! Friend of the pod Zeke returns to assist us in determining what Alaskan adventure will make it through a Last Frontier style themed bracket to be crowned our favorite Alaskan experience as we celebrate the kickoff to March Madness. How long would it take to paddle around a cruise ship? Will Andrew choose bears over his wife? And where can you definitely NOT see an orca from?! It's the episode that will bust your bracket!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Gose by Denali Brewing Company [https://denalibrewing.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

A podcast all about birds. Two bird experts, John Bates and Shannon Hackett, educate...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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From church to beer, the Russian legacy in Alaska has had a lasting impact on the Last Frontier. On the final episode of our Russian mini-series, we explore the many different ways the Russian settlement of Alaska can still be felt today. What state holidays do Alaskans celebrate as a result of the Alaska purchase? How did the Russian orthodox church spread to Alaska? And what exactly is a Russian Imperial Stout?! It's the episode you'll eat with a delicious piroshki!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: White Crane Rice Lager by Kenai River Brewing Company [https://www.kenairiverbrewing.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

A podcast all about birds. Two bird experts, John Bates and Shannon Hackett, educate...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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The first major economic industry in Alaska was the Russian Fur Trade. On the third episode of our Russian mini-series, we delve into the entire history of the Russian Fur Trade beginning with the first several years after the Vitus Bering expedition all the way until Russia decided to sell Alaska to the United States. Who were the major players in the Russian Fur Trade? How much money could be made or lost? And how the heck was Hawai'i involved with the Russians?! It's the episode that will keep you warm and looking stylish!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Frontiersman American IPA by Bearpaw River Brewing Company [https://www.bearpawriverbrewing.com]

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

A podcast all about birds. Two bird experts, John Bates and Shannon Hackett, educate...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the Show.