Nature Connection Radio

Celebrate Parks & Recreation Month and National Forest Week with this episode of Big Blend Radio that was recorded onsite with Steve & Karen Wilson, owners and innkeepers of the The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in the heart of the Montford Historic District in Asheville, North Carolina. Hear about author Wilma Dykeman and Jean Webb who worked to protect and preserve the French Broad and Swannenoa Rivers and the Asheville parks connected with the rivers on a 17-mile green path. Learn how Edith Vanderbilt honored her late husband's wishes of selling an 86,000-acre tract of the Biltmore Estate to create Pisgah National Forest, one of the first national forests east of the Mississippi River. And, find out about the Daughters of the American Revolution who planted 50,000 Spruce Trees to create the Jubilee Memorial Forest within the Pisgah National Forest on the Blue Ridge Parkway. RESOURCE LINKS: * The Lion & The Rose B&B: https://www.lion-rose.com/  * Wilma Dykman Legacy: https://www.wi

It's all about beautiful Slovenia on this episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast with Sharon K. Kurtz. Located in Central Europe, Slovenia offers breathtaking natural landscapes, a rich history, and a solid commitment to eco-friendly practices.  Over half of Slovenia's terrain is covered in pristine forests, making it a leader in forest conservation and green initiatives. This compact country boasts numerous protected areas, including the majestic Triglav National Park. Read Sharon's article about her experiences here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/discovering-green-slovenia/  Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World with Sharon" Podcast features award-winning travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz. New episodes air every first Wednesday at 12pm CST at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzIUCV2e7qm1ALXeV1vR6H10EtkPvgDW5  Sharon Kurtz is an accomplished travel writer and award-winning photographer based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to exploring the world and sharing her a

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Tuesday "Adventures in Asheville" Show  focuses on the conservation work and visitor experience at the Western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville. WNC Nature Center connects people with the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region by inspiring appreciation, nurturing understanding, and advancing conservation of the region’s rich biodiversity. Featured Guests: - Steve & Karen Wilson - Owners and innkeepers of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast, a stunning pink lady in the Montford Historic District. More: https://www.lion-rose.com/     - Cindy Smith - Director of Development of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center. More: https://wildwnc.org/  Big Blend Radio's "Adventures in Asheville" Show airs every 1st Tuesday. Follow the show on PodBean: https://adventures-asheville.podbean.com/ 

In honor of Great Outdoors Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Show features legal and environmental historian, author, and attorney Lowell E. Baier. Hear about his latest book, "Earth’s Emergency Room: Saving Species as the Planet and Politics Get Hotter."  "Earth's Emergency Room" is a celebration of 50 years of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). In the book, Baier provides an insightful and entertaining history of the ESA’s dramatic highs and lows. He profiles his work with the ESA from its inception to the present, and with the key figures who shaped its history, from field biologists to Presidents of the United States. Baier ultimately calls on all Americans to embrace a spirit of bipartisanship and conservation to strengthen the law that has been the Earth’s emergency room for half a century. More at https://lowellebaier.com/ and https://esaat50.com/  You can also listen to his earlier Big Blend Radio interview about the history and importance of the Endangered Species Ac

In honor of Great Outdoors Month and National Rivers Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Parks & Travel" Show features award-winning author Kevin Fedarko who discusses his new book, "A WALK IN THE PARK: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon."  It shares the odyssey Kevin his best friend and photographer Pete McBride undertook to transect the entire length of the Grand Canyon, a feat billed by the handful of experts who have managed to complete it as “the toughest hike in the world.”  A WALK IN THE PARK is an ode to such vanishing places, and a deeply moving plea for the preservation of America’s greatest national treasure.  More: https://www.kevinfedarko.com/  Follow Big Blend Radio's PARKS & TRAVEL Podcast on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/5tkdvm5a 

In observance of National Pet Preparedness Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "The Pet Connection" Podcast focuses on pet and horse safety and disaster preparedness.  FEATURED GUESTS - ANGELA LAWS - Cohost, veteran petsitter, and community manager at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/  - CHRISTY WOOD - World champion horse trainer, instructor, author, and horse show judge. See: https://wdnhorse.com/  The American Red Cross has steps you can follow to make an emergency plan for your animals. See: https://tinyurl.com/mtpv5x4s 

From Hay to Carrots, it's all about the Equine Diet on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" equestrian podcast with Christy Wood. Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail. She is a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges, and is a carded horse show judge with 7 breed associations. Along with being an author and instructor, she is the owner of Wood N Horse Training Stables in Three Rivers, California. Learn more about Christy, her equine services, and her books, at: https://wdnhorse.com/  The "ABC's of Horses" Podcast with Christy Wood airs every 2nd Saturday. Listen to the latest episodes here: https://abcs-horses-christywood.podbean.com/  This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Pet Connection," and "Nature Connection" podcast channels.

In celebration of June being Great Outdoors Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast with the Sequoia Tourism Council focuses on the upcoming Hike and Heal Sequoia National Park Wilderness Wellness Retreats. These retreats are facilitated by Sydney and Barry Williams of Hiking My Feelings in partnership with the Sequoia Parks Conservancy Field Institute. Starting in June, there will be three retreats this summer. FEATURED GUESTS: - NICOLE STIVERS of the Sequoia Parks Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park and Lake Kaweah. They fund and enable park projects and programs that protect, preserve, and provide access to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.  Visit https://sequoiaparksconservancy.org/  - SYDNEY WILLIAMS -  Author, and Founder & CEO of Hiking My Feelings. This unique organization is on a mission to improve community health by creating opportunities for people to experience the healing power of nature. More at:

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Podcast features Jessica Carter, Director of Parks and Public Engagement at Save the Redwoods League, who discusses the 3rd Annual California State Parks Week happening June 12-16, 2024.  Through over 200 special in-person community events and virtual programming, this week-long event celebrates California’s 280 state parks and the people who visit and help protect these iconic places. California State Parks Week is presented by California State Parks, Save the Redwoods League, Parks California, and California State Parks Foundation.  Visit: * https://castateparksweek.org/   * https://www.parks.ca.gov/  * https://www.savetheredwoods.org/  * https://parkscalifornia.org/  * https://www.calparks.org/  Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Podcast airs every 4th Friday in collaboration with Margot Carrera, a fine art nature photographer who is passionate about the environment. More: http://margotcarrera.etsy.com/  This  episode is also featured on Big Blend Ra

In observance of National Rescue Dog Day, this inaugural episode of Big Blend Radio's "The Pet Connection" Podcast is all about Rescue Dogs and Cats with conversations that span from adoptions and volunteering to petsitting and behavioral care.  FEATURED GUESTS - Angela Laws - Cohost, veteran petsitter, and community manager at https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/  - Mabel Lujan - Senior Communications Director at Asheville Humane Society in North Carolina. More: https://www.ashevillehumane.org/  - Steve & Karen Wilson - Pet Parents and Animal Welfare Advocates, and owners of The Lion & The Rose Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina. More: https://www.lion-rose.com/ 

From the Andes to Patagonia, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Lost Angel Travel Adventures with Linda Ballou" covers her 17-day sojourn into South America with Overseas Adventure Travel. You can read her stories on her South American experiences on NABBW.org here: * Chile: https://tinyurl.com/5n8caxzj * Patagonia: https://tinyurl.com/33ffa7be When Linda visited Chile and Patagonia, conservation efforts spearheaded by Kristine Tompkins were underway. When her husband, Doug Tompkins, died in a kayaking accident in 2015, she picked up the pieces of their shared dream to purchase millions of acres in Patagonia and Chile with the plan to give the land to the government to create a national park system that would rival the one we enjoy here in the U.S. In this Ted Talk she provides all the details with images of the transformation she is leading in Patagonia and Chile. https://youtu.be/UWothcLpazU?si=pwm6HXxkzWnjcnzM In 2023 National Geographic produced the film "Wild Life" spotlighting Tompkins efforts. Trailer:

It's all about Horse Care, Colic, and Common Sense on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" equestrian podcast with Christy Wood. Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail. She is a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges, and is a carded horse show judge with 7 breed associations. Along with being an author and instructor, she is the owner of Wood N Horse Training Stables in Three Rivers, California. Learn more about Christy, her equine services, and her books, at: https://wdnhorse.com/  The "ABC's of Horses" Podcast with Christy Wood airs every 2nd Saturday. Listen to the latest episodes here: https://abcs-horses-christywood.podbean.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio celebrates Earth Month and National Poetry Month with Lauren Martin who discusses her book, "Night of the Hawk: Poems" which will be out on May 14, 2024 through She Writes Press.  A powerful and wise poetry collection on shamanism, feminism, and disability, "Night of the Hawk" tells untold stories of the marginalized. Inspired by the Lauren's own experiences as an aging woman living with chronic illness, the poems in this collection will inspire readers to seek compassion and kindness in an often inhospitable world.  LAUREN MARTIN is a psychotherapist, poet, and a devoted Ìyânífá. She lives in Oakland, California. Lauren studied poetry at Sarah Lawrence College. She spent years writing without submitting her work due to a long shamanic journey, which led her to both Ifá, and to the writing of this collection of poems. More at: https://www.laurenmartin.net/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Podcast features Cheryl Leutjen, author of "Love Earth Now: The Power of Doing One Thing Every Day." As a geologist, environmental law attorney, spiritual practitioner and, most importantly, devoted mother, Cheryl understands that most people don’t have an endless reservoir of time, money and energy to devote to Earth-friendly practices. That’s why she wrote "Love Earth Now," a candid, often humorous exploration that reveals her own imperfect journey toward living an eco-friendly lifestyle. Each chapter includes gentle prompts to help readers uncover their own capacity for making meaningful changes, one step at a time. More: https://loveearthnow.us/ Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" Podcast airs every 4th Friday in collaboration with Margot Carrera, a fine art nature photographer who is passionate about the environment. More: http://margotcarrera.etsy.com/

After working in the climate-tech industry for the past fifteen years, debut author Aaron Arsenault is excited to inspire readers ages 9-12 to combat climate change. On this episode of Big Blend Radio, he discusses his climate fiction novel, “The Climate Diaries, Book One: The Academy” (Borrowed Planet Press, April 2024). "The Climate Diaries: Book One," takes readers on an eco-adventure with troublemaker Jax Wilkinson, who is recruited by a top secret organization dedicated to preparing the next generation of climate-fighters. Learn more at https://www.aaronarsenault.com/ 

This episode of Big Blend Radio's SOUL JOURNEY DOULA podcast with death doula Lea Brovedani focuses on earth-friendly memorials and burials. Featured guest is Alethea Valley, General Manager of the Point Arena Forest for Better Place Forests.   Better Place Forests offers a sustainable memorial within a protected place in the forest for ashes of a loved one to be returned to the earth. Each tree can accommodate more than one loved one and also beloved pets (which is not allowed in traditional settings). The beautiful, peaceful setting is sustainable and safe for trees and the wider forest ecosystem. More: https://www.betterplaceforests.com/   Sustainable Memorials Aligns with Lea's 5 Pillars of Support as a Death Doula: * Spirit - Uphold beliefs and practices * Emotion - Honor feelings * Mind - Life review and gleaning meaning * Body - Increase comfort, health and safety * Practical - Create completions   Learn more about Lea's work at https://souljourneydoula.com/ Follow the podcast here: http://tinyurl.com

From training and setting boundaries to observing body language and building a relationship with your horse, this episode of Big Blend Radio's "ABC's of Horses" equestrian podcast with Christy Wood is all about HORSE BEHAVIOR.   Christy Wood is a World Champion horse trainer, also exhibiting in jumping and trail. She is a winner in extreme trail obstacle challenges, and is a carded horse show judge with 7 breed associations. Along with being an author and instructor, she is the owner of Wood N Horse Training Stables in Three Rivers, California. Learn more about Christy, her equine services, and her books, at: https://wdnhorse.com/   The "ABC's of Horses" Podcast with Christy Wood airs every 2nd Saturday. Listen to the latest episodes here: https://abcs-horses-christy-wood.podbean.com/   

In time to plan for National Park Week (April 20-28), Earth Day (April 22), Junior Park Ranger Day (April 27), and Kids to Parks Day (May 18), this episode of Big Blend Radio's "California Sequoia Country" Podcast focuses on park and outdoor experiences in Tulare County. Hear about the region's giant sequoia trees, waterfalls, and wildflowers, along with picnics and cultural celebrations in beautiful community parks, preserves, gardens, and more.   Located in Central California, Tulare County is home to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest, and charming art and agricultural communities including Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Dinuba, Porterville, Three Rivers, Lindsay, and Woodlake.   Featured guests from the Sequoia Tourism Council include Sintia Kawasaki-Yee - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and Suzanne Bianco - Visit Visalia. Plan your visit with these websites mentioned in the podcast: - Sequoia Tourism Council: https://www.discoverthese

Celebrate National Wildlife Week with this inaugural episode of Big Blend Radio's WANDER THE WORLD WITH SHARON podcast with Sharon K. Kurtz, who shares her experiences at the annual Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas, Texas.   Nestled between Mustang Island and the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Port Aransas unfolds as a Texas Gulf Coast sanctuary of small-town charm and endless activities. The 18 miles of pristine beaches, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, and encounters with diverse wildlife create a haven where the Texas Coastal Bend barrier islands and estuaries play the leading roles. Dolphins gracefully navigate the waters, sea turtles find refuge, and migrating birds paint a kaleidoscope of nature’s beauty. Read Sharon's article about it all here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/discover-the-timeless-allure-of-port-aransas/   Plan your adventure in Port Aransas at https://www.portaransas.org/   Big Blend Radio's "Wander the World with Sharon" Podcast features award-winning travel write

Jennifer McGuinness joins Big Blend Radio's "Nature Connection" and "Garden Gossip" podcasts to discuss her latest book, "Bird-Friendly Gardening: Guidance and Projects for Supporting Birds in Your Landscape." Releasing in April 2024 through Cool Springs Press, and available on pre-order, it's the ultimate and authoritative guide for cultivating a home landscape that embraces wildlife, specifically catering to a diverse array of native plants that nourish, shelter, and sustain birds. Every individual has the power to significantly impact the lives of thousands of birds, whether they're passing through during migration or establishing a feathered haven for the next generation. Creating a bird-friendly haven for various species need not be an overwhelming task. The key lies in understanding the requirements of our avian companions and recognizing how native plants, coupled with intentional garden design, can fulfill those needs. In "Bird-Friendly Gardening," Jennifer McGuinness expertly presents this knowledge