Grab your hiking boots and get ready to journey through the "People’s Park." In this episode, host Missy Rentz welcomes Cinda Waldbuesser, President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), to explore the legendary Appalachian Trail (AT).

Spanning nearly 2,197.9 miles from Georgia to Maine, the AT is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. Cinda dives into the unique "three-legged stool" management system that keeps the trail running—a partnership between federal agencies, the ATC, and an incredible army of over 5,000 volunteers.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Stats: From the 16.9 million visits in 2025 to the elevation gain equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest 16 times.
• Through-Hiking vs. Day-Hiking: Why you don’t need to spend six months in the woods to enjoy the AT, and how the "trail community" supports everyone from casual walkers to "flip-floppers."
• Planning & Safety: Essential tips on using the AT Camp registration, managing food in bear country, and the importance of layering for unpredictable mountain weather.
• History & Heritage: The 1921 vision of Benton MacKaye and the upcoming Trail Days celebration in Damascus, Virginia.
• Recovery & Resilience: How the trail community rallied following the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Whether you’re dreaming of a thru-hike or just looking for a Saturday afternoon escape, this episode is a love letter to one of America’s most iconic public lands.

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What started as a simple Instagram account to document outdoor adventures quickly evolved into a nationwide movement. In this episode of The Parks Podcasat, host Missy Rentz sits down with Justin Yoder, the founder and executive director of LGBTQ Outdoors.

Justin shares the "happy accident" that led to the creation of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that now spans over 23 states with dozens of ambassadors. They dive deep into the unique barriers minority communities face in nature—from the need for visible representation to the simple, grounding act of "touching grass."

Episode Highlights

• The Origin Story: How a personal quest for community in Texas grew into a national organization.
• Breaking Barriers: Why symbols like pride flags and anti-discrimination clauses matter in outdoor spaces.
• Outdoor Fest & Adventure Trips: Details on curated excursions to Glacier, Zion, and Yellowstone National Parks.
• The Power of "Slow Outdoors": Challenging the misconception that you have to be an elite athlete to be "outdoorsy."
• How to Join: Tips on finding local chapters, joining Facebook groups, and becoming an ambassador.

Links from the conversation

• LGBTQ Outdoors Website
• LGBTQ Outdoors Local Chapters

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"I want them to look back and say, 'This was my school'—not just a park I visit."

What if a child’s first classroom wasn’t surrounded by four walls, but by 2,500 acres of wild Maryland landscape? In this episode, host Missy Rentz sits down with Katrina Fauss, Principal Park Naturalist at Black Hill Discovery Center, to explore the transformative power of nature-based education.

Hidden just miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Black Hill Regional Park is more than just a scenic backdrop for hikers and boaters—it is a "hidden gem" serving as a vital reservoir for the region and a living laboratory for the community. Katrina shares how their unique Forest Preschool and "play-first" philosophy are fostering a lifelong sense of wonder in children and adults alike.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Hidden Gem" of Montgomery County: Discover the history of Black Hill, from its 19th-century gold mining roots to its current role protecting 4 billion gallons of emergency drinking water.
• Nature as a Classroom: The philosophy behind Forest Schools and why "playing in the mud" is a critical developmental milestone.
• The "Birth to Death" Continuum: How the park serves every age group, from 10-day-old hikers to 99-year-olds on pontoon tours.
• Wildlife & Recreation: Tips for spotting the resident nesting Bald Eagles, navigating 20 miles of trails, and making the most of Little Seneca Lake.
• The Power of Connection: Why county parks became essential "fabric of life" sanctuaries during the pandemic and beyond.

About Our Guest:

Katrina Fauss is the Principal Park Naturalist at Black Hill Discovery Center. With over a decade of experience in nature-based education, she is a passionate advocate for play-based learning and environmental stewardship.

Resources Mentioned:

• Black Hill Discovery Center: MontgomeryParks.org
• Register for Programs: ActiveMontgomery.org
• Natural Start Alliance: (Resources for finding nature preschools nationwide)
• Association of Nature-Based Educators

Follow The Parks Podcast: For full show notes and links to everything mentioned in today’s episode, visit TheParksPodcast.com.

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