Ask a Ranger Podcast

An update on Rangers Crystal and Jess

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Quick update on what we have been up to over the past year and a half!

Ranger Keith TikTok Star

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 20:00:00 -0400

We were lucky enough to chat with Ranger Keith of TikTok fame about how to start birding and his journey to being a ranger.

Ranger Luke endears us to Scotland Parks, Castles, and the Queen

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 05:00:00 -0400

We got to do our first ZOOM recording with our friend Luke who is a Ranger in Scotland! He tells us all about the different skills and tasks that are required of rangers there. He gets to work around castles and even the park by the palace that the Queen stays in!

Ranger Bryan on Loosing His “Cool” Card; A Pep Talk for parents getting back outdoors with their kids.

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 05:00:00 -0400

We chat with one of our faves! Ranger Brian! We have a fun discussion on what it means to introduce your young child to nature. Also a little bit about Crystal's cat Gidget!

The Three Sister Garden project with Ranger Jack

Sat, 01 May 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Ranger Jack sits down with us for a chat about the Three Sisters Garden he's growing at his park Historic Yates Mill County Park. We discuss how to set up the garden and the history behind using the 3 sisters as the foundation of a garden. If you have questions you can email Ranger Jack at jack.singley@wakegov.com

Note: The original interview was done last year. Since the interview, we have educated ourselves on the preferred terminology of indigenous people rather than the terms Native American or American Indian.

Deserts, Burros, and Stacked Rocks!

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Last year while in Reno Nevada for the Park Rangers Association of California’s annual meeting we sat down with Ranger David! He’s a park ranger at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. He tells us what it’s like being a Desert park ranger!

Superintendent Nora

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 05:00:00 -0500

Lake James State Park Superintendent Nora talks to us about what daily life is like running a park!

Birding with Ranger Jamie

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 05:00:00 -0500

Ranger Jamie gives us the 101 on birding!

Carolina Beach with Super-Star-Intendent Chris Helms

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 05:00:00 -0500

This month we chatted with Carolina Beach State Parks Superintendent Chris Helms. We discuss how unique the park is from the Venus fly traps to the movies that have filmed in the park! Add it to your 2021 travel list.

Bottle Nose Dolphin Conservation with Jess Taylor

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 05:00:00 -0500

This month we chat with Jess Taylor who is the Director of the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research! They have internship opportunities that will be posted on their website starting in January! Please enjoy this episode learning about Bottle Nose Dolphins and the steps that are being taken to gain more information on their populations off the coast of North Carolina. 🐬

One more thing about Reedy Creek History

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 17:00:00 -0500

We received a wonderful letter from one of the children of the Dr. Walton, someone James Johnson spoke of. Mary provides us another slice of the history into what is now William B. Umstead State Park.

Reedy Creek State Park; a Personal History of Segregation

Sun, 01 Nov 2020 04:00:00 -0500

James Johnson grew up in William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh North Carolina during Jim Crow laws and Segregation. At that there were two separate parks; Crabtree Creek State Park, and Reedy Creek State Park. His father, James Johnson, was one of three African American Superintendents for the three segregated NC State Parks. This is a fascinating conversation on many levels. James Johnson is a great historian and story teller of North Carolina Raleigh/Cary history.

Hunting and Conservation with Ranger Cindy

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 05:00:00 -0400

We sit down with Ranger Cindy to chat about being a ranger out West and how hunting can be a useful tool in conservation.

The Bewildering Bee with Laura Shields

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 05:00:00 -0400

How important are Bees? Should we be scared of Bees? What can you do to be a Bee friend?

Connecting Families with Nature with Katheryn

Sat, 15 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Join us for a chat on just how important it is that children get out to explore nature!

Outdoor Education Camps for Children with Meg and Maggie

Sat, 01 Aug 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Maggie and Meg sit down for a chat about their journeys into environmental education and how they help positively shape the youth of North Carolina.

NC Zoo Series: Stephanie and the Gorilla

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Zookeeper Stephanie talks about her journey to end up with the Gorillas at the NC Zoo.

NC Zoo Series: Nancy and the Elephants

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Zookeeper Nancy talks about her day working with the Elephants at the NC Zoo!

NC Zoo Series: North America Northwoods with Alexis

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Zookeeper Alexis talks about being greeted by a Grizzly Bear every Morning and the Red Wolf breeding program.

NC Zoo Series: Cypress Swamp Habitat with Audrey

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Zookeeper Audrey takes us through her day at the NC Zoo Cypress Habitat

Stagville Historic Site, Durham NC

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 05:00:00 -0400

We sit down with the site manger of Stagville Historic Site to discuss why it’s important to talk about slavery and it’s impact on the country.

Parks Planner- Christy Rosas

Fri, 15 May 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Ranger Avery at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area

Fri, 01 May 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Ranger Avery gives us some pro tips for how to get into fishing! Also did you know there was a 143 pound catfish caught in Kerr Lake!

Venus Fly Traps

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Join us for a chat with Ranger Carla about the mysterious Venus Fly Trap and what makes them unique.

What Does a Park Ranger Do? A Closer Look at the Law Enforcement

Sun, 01 Mar 2020 05:00:00 -0500

We sit down with North District Superintendent Kristen Woodruff (then Falls Lake State Recreation Area Park Superintendent) and take a closer look at the law enforcement component of the North Carolina State Park Rangers multi-specialist roles.

The Director of North Carolina State Parks; Dwayne Patterson

Sat, 01 Feb 2020 05:00:00 -0500

Rangers Jess and Crystal sit down with NC State Parks director Dwayne Patterson to talk about his journey to parks and his vision for their future.

Sea Turtle Internship at Hammocks Beach State Park

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 05:00:00 -0500

Ranger Renee is back to sit down with us and let us in on one of NC State Parks coolest opportunities for students- a Sea Turtle Summer Internship! Listen in to find out how YOU can be a part of helping the critically endangered Loggerhead turtles.

Photo by Ranger Randy Newman

The Den Owner's Association

Sun, 01 Dec 2019 05:00:00 -0500

Ranger Crystal travels to Yates Mill, a Wake County Park, to help Rebeccah get things lined up for the annual Den Owners Association meeting. Listen in as they hike and canoe around Yates Mill and chat with everyone from otters to toads and squirrels to grumpy ole Walter, the groundhog. You will learn some interesting facts about many of the Yates Mill residents and concerns of den dwellers.

Thank you to our voice actors
Ranger Rebeccah: Rebeccah Cope, Ranger Crystal: Ranger Crystal Lloyd, Dodder the Otter: Jacob Molina, Benny the Beaver: Wesley Smith,Trill the Toad: Bianca Dubé, Wanda the Northern Water Snake: Ashley Martin, Phloe the Pileated Woodpecker: Leslie Meadows, Sammy the Squirrel: Richard Smith, Walter the Groundhog: Bob Davies, Quintin the Trapdoor Spider: Rebeccah Cope

Thank you to FreeSound contributors for the sound effects:
Knock 3x.aif by lth_stp, Bird in cage, flapping wings.wav by ShanayGroen, Woodpeckers Pecking 4.wav by Benboncan, watersmack.wav by tran5ient, 20100523.sitontop.canoe.wav by dobroide, PETTON_Youna_2016_2017_CreepyWhistling.aiff by univ_lyon3

Photo by SBW

Edible Plants

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 05:00:00 -0400

Disclaimer: This episode is intended as a brief introduction to edible plants. We do not advise anyone to go out and try plant life without proper and intensive education and technical ID knowledge of the plant life.

In this episode of Ask a Ranger, we sit down with Ranger Neil who will chat with us about edible plants.

Prehistoric Mammals

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 17:00:00 -0400

We sit down with Dr. Kammerer from the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and explore what prehistoric mammals roamed North Carolina BEFORE the age of dinosaurs.

Hemlocks at Hanging Rock State Park with Ranger Mary

Sun, 01 Sep 2019 05:00:00 -0400

How can an insect no bigger than the period at the end of a sentence take down an entire tree? We sit down with Ranger Mary from Hanging Rock State Park to find out.

Thank you Ranger Mary for your wealth of knowledge and your knee slapping jokes.

A Hike at Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, Texas

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 05:00:00 -0400

Yay! Another episode with Lydia Pagel from Franklin Mountain State Park in El Paso, Texas. In this episode Ranger Jess gets to tap into her inner 7 year old and ask Ranger Lydia Pagel "What's that? What's this?" all the way up the mountain. We find out how Franklin Mountain State Park is like our very own Mount Mitchell State Park, some of the different flora you will find on this mountain compared to our mountains, and how little herds of tiny hippo related mammals inhabit Franklin Mountain as their home.

Exploring Park Ranger Careers in State and National Parks

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 05:00:00 -0400

We sat down with Ranger Austin Paul who has been fortunate enough to have experienced being a park ranger in both state parks and national parks. He takes us on the journey that led him to both state parks and national parks as well as some of the similarities and differences between state and national parks.

Japan Parks with Ranger Naoki

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 05:00:00 -0400

Welcome to the start of our third year and third season for the Ask a Ranger Podcast. For this episode we return back to the beginning when Ranger Jess was just starting to fuss with the recording and editing equipment. Ranger Jess has been hanging onto this interview from her trip to Japan for a couple of years, wanting to release it because Naoki was such a great guest with wonderful information, but holding onto it because, well the quality of the recording was not great. So because this is a reflection on how far we have come, we thought our listeners, who have been loyal and patient from the start, would be willing to bare with the quality of the recording in order to listen to this wonderful park ranger from Japan.
Thank you for coming on this journey with us! -Ranger Crystal and Ranger Jess

And a huge thank you to Naoki for your warm welcome and willingness to conduct an interview with a newbie to the podcasting world. Thank you Naoki!

Prehistoric Sharks with Dr. Kammerer

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 05:00:00 -0400

Let's go back in time, to a time where prehistoric sharks swam the ocean, some with a spiral of bottom teeth, some with bony protrusions off the top of their head, and one that was 30 times larger than a Great White Shark! We sit down with Dr. Christian Kammerer from the Museum of Natural Sciences and pick his brain about all the wonderful and wondrous prehistoric sharks that lived in the ocean well before our time.

Hank the Hognose Snake Sets the Record Straight

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 16:00:00 -0400

Hank the hognose snake asked us to do a quick podcast release to set the record straight on the rumors of "Zombie Hognose Snakes" in North Carolina. So for this #factcheckfriday; we chat with Hank the hognose snake and find out about this misnomer and the TRUTH about Hank and other hognose snakes like him.

Franklin Mountains State Park – El Paso, TX

Sat, 01 Jun 2019 05:00:00 -0400

Ranger Jess took a trip out west and was able to explore Franklin Mountains State Park with Park Ranger Lydia Pagel. After, they sat down and Ranger Lydia talked about her journey into becoming a park ranger at Franklin Mountains State Park as the Education Ranger.

Good Fire

Wed, 01 May 2019 00:00:00 -0400

Join us for a discussion with Ranger Scott about what prescribed fires are and why they are so important to the forest.

What Does Recreation Really Mean?

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0400

In this Ask a Ranger episode, Rangers Crystal and Jess sit down and chat with David Rogers, Director of UNC's Carolina Outdoor Recreation Center. David helps us explore not just the idea of recreation, but the relevance and connection to the human soul recreation provides us.

Women’s History Month

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 05:00:00 -0500

Rangers Jess and Crystal take a deep dive into women’s roles in NC State Parks to celebrate Women’s History Month.

*You will need to turn this episode all the way up, we had some technical issues with this recording.

Ranger Jess Takes a Trip Out West

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Ranger Jess is out in the western United States exploring BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Lands with BLM Park Ranger Daniella Barazza. Join Ranger Jess as she sits down with Ranger Daniella and delves into the beauty and intrigue of New Mexico's Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument and Prehistoric Trackways National Monument.

Thank you Joe and Jacob for the music.

Winter at Mount Mitchell

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0500

After you take your First Day Hike, come with us on our virtual hike with Ranger Carla at Mt. Mitchell. You’ll learn about some of the winter residents that call Mt. Mitchell home.

Thanks to: Joe, Jacob, Xeno-canto, and Freesound.

Music and Environmental Education

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Tune in with us this month and sing-a-long with this musical Ask a Ranger Podcast episode; Music and Environmental Education. Ranger Keith shares with us how to connect outdoor education and music.
Thank you to Keith, Joe, and Jacob. Photo credit and thanks to Dave Cook.

Hiking 101

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Lucky us! We get to sit down and chat with Ranger Kim from Eno River State Park again! This time she makes sure Ranger Jess, who is about to head out on a hike, is prepared for a safe and fun hike at Eno River State Park. Listen in and find out all the hiking safety essentials so your next hike will be safe and fun!

Thank you to Ranger Kim, Ben Casey (photo), and Ranger Joe (music)

SSSSSSnakes Alive!

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode we chat with the affable Ranger Kevin about his favorite animal — SNAKES! Ranger Kevin delves into the wonderful world of snakes and helps demystify some of the myths and fears that sometimes surround these wonderful creatures.

Thank you to Rangers Kevin, Jacob, Joe and Nancy.

Howling Coyotes

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Listen in as Ranger Crystal, Ranger Kevin, and Ranger Jess sit around a campfire and demystify the often misunderstood coyote.

Wall Climbing Eels!

Sat, 01 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode Ranger Crystal and Ranger Jess delve into the wonderful and mysterious world of the American Eel. Listen in as Ranger Crystal and Ranger Jess explore the research history, ecology, and behaviors of this awesome species of fish! Thank you to Ranger Joe , Jacob, Rebeccah, and Archifa for your help with this episode!

Archaeology Dig at Lumber River

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Dig into this episode as Ranger Jess learns the difference between archaeology and paleontology with Assistant State Archaeologist Mary Beth Fitts. Ranger Jess had the opportunity to help with an archaeology survey area down at Lumber River State Park and speak with Mary Beth about all things archaeology.

Yates Mill Pond

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Many of our North Carolina State Parks were affected by gristmills and the millponds that were created in and around our North Carolina communities. We do not have any working gristmills in NC State Parks so we traveled to a Raleigh county park, Yates Mill Pond, to talk all things millpond and gristmill. From how a gristmill works, the community aspects of a gristmill and millpond, to the nature that is in and around a millpond, our guest Ranger Rebeccah Cope educates us on it all!

Christmas in JULY!

Sun, 15 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Ever wondered what to do with your tree after the holidays? The families around Fort Macon have a time-honored tradition of gifting their tree to the dunes around the fort. Join us as we discuss this program with Park Superintendent Randy.

Solar Energy

Sun, 01 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Ask a Ranger Podcast, Ranger Nick tells us all about renewable energy and, in particular, the power of solar energy. Thank you to Ranger Nick, Joe, Keith, and Jacob.

Maggie the Dolphin

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Ranger Renee talks about her discovery of a dolphin that washed up on the shores of Bear Island and the steps her and others are taking to use the dolphin's skeleton as an educational tool for Hammocks Beach State Park. Thank you to Ranger Renee, Joe, and Keith, M. Wall A big thanks to you, our listener! Thank you for hanging in with us as we adjust our sound equipment. This is the last episode with fuzzy sound, as we have new and improved recording equipment now!

Wave the Loggerhead's 50th Birthday Bash

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Take a road trip with Ranger Crystal and Ranger Jess as they bring Terrance the Turtle and Snooty the Snapper down to the 50th birthday party for Wave the Loggerhead. Meet a few different types of species of turtle native to North Carolina and laugh at the antics of Snooty and her cousin Shirley. Thank you to: Joe, Keith, Jacob, Christina, Lady D, Aaron, Randy, James, Thomas and Shari

Water Safety

Tue, 15 May 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Our guest for this episode of the Ask a Ranger Podcast is the stupendous Ranger Jake from Hammocks Beach State Park. In this episode we cover the basics of what you need to have a safe and fantastic trip on your next canoe, kayak, paddle board excursion.

Cannons

Tue, 01 May 2018 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Ask a Ranger, Ranger Paul Terry lets us in on the secret to the cannons at Fort Macon — teamwork! Learn all about the various cannons at Fort Macon State Park and how the replicas went from an idea to a reality.

Here Fishy Fishy

Sun, 01 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0400

During this episode we discuss the North Carolina State Parks education theme for 2018 — the year of the FISH!!! We talk with Ranger Brian about fish and fun crafts you can do with — you guessed it — FISH! Who knew there were crafts you can do with actual fish? Thank you to Ranger Brian Swanson for speaking with us, as well as our other contributors for this episode, Ranger Joe Shimel and Ranger Jacob Fields for the music intro and exit.

Camping

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0500

The peace of the woods, the crackle of the campfire, trying different s’mores recipes — who amongst us doesn’t love camping? From its past as a necessary part of exploration to its present status as an excursion and break from our daily lives, camping is something that is held near and dear by most people who do it. Whether you enjoy camping in a van or living out of a backpack for a week, camping is personal and treasured by us all. In this podcast, we discuss everything from wearing socks while sleeping to a perfect camping environment. Join Rangers Jess and Crystal and guest Ranger Brian as we discuss the finer side of camping and maybe even share a couple of our favorite camping hacks to help make your experience even better. Please bear with us as we are trying different audio equipment this episode. Special thanks to Joe and Keith for the music.

Herpetology

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Learn the basics of herpetology with our guest educator Mike Ramano. Thank you to Umkar for the Ask a Ranger question this month. Music by Joe Shimel and Keith Nealson.

Winter Wonderland

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500

Ranger Crystal is out in the winter bluster interviewing a few of our animal friends to find out how they survive a North Carolina winter. Thank you to Joe, Mike, Val, Jeanie, Aaron and Autumn for help with this month's Ask A Ranger Podcast!

NC State Parks Year of the Spider 2017

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we wrap the year up talking with our Piedmont Region Education Specialist Brian Bockhahn about the North Carolina State Parks theme for 2017: spiders!!! Brian helps us dispel spider myths, expand our minds about the wonderful world of spiders and help us develop an even greater curiosity about these wonderful arachnids!! Thank you to our guest Brian Bockhahn, as well as Keith Nealson, and Joe Shimmel for their wonderful music.

Night Hike...Wait! What was THAT sound?!

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Ranger Jess is a little nervous hiking at night, but NEVER FEAR, Ranger Crystal is here! Ranger Crystal is taking Ranger Jess and you on a night hike to demystify the sounds and the animals that make them. Come, join us and take a virtual night hike! To gain a visual understanding about the animals we talk about in this episode, hop on over to our Ask a Ranger article. You can find this episodes coinciding article as well as past Ask a Ranger articles at: https://www.ncparks.gov/ask-ranger. Just copy and paste. Thank you to Keith and Joe for their intro and exit music!!!

Campfire Ready Ghost Stories!

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Ask a Ranger Podcast, join Ranger Crystal and Ranger Jess as they recount personal ghost stories and tell spooky North Carolina ghost stories. This is perfect for your camping trip to a North Carolina State Park- ready to be played or retold around your campfires. Special thanks to all of our helpers for this episode: Pete, Noah, Laurie, Wes, Keith, Joe, and Erica.

Naturally Wonderful Moments- Sean Gough

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0400

This is our mid-month "Naturally Wonderful" moment in which we introduce you to one of our coworkers. Listen in and find out why Sean Gough enjoys working for North Carolina State Parks.

Invasive Plant Species

Thu, 07 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0400

In this episode we visit with Ranger Kim from Eno River and pick her brain about invasive plant species of North Carolina. A special thanks to Keith and Joe for the intro and exit music, as well as Joe Mickey for the photograph.

What Does a Park Ranger Do?

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0400

Would you like to take a peek into the job of a Park Ranger? In this episode we will delve into all the things a North Carolina Park Ranger does. Our guest today is Superintendent Joe Shimel from New River State Park in Laurel Springs, N.C. We hope you enjoy! A special thanks to Keith and Joe for the intro and exit music. If you would like to see Ranger Joe's "Ranger in the Park" video copy and paste the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g1-gcHvSqA

Meet Your Park Ranger Hosts!

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0400

This episode introduces the podcast series as well as gives the Park Ranger podcast hosts an opportunity to introduce themselves to you. Special thanks to Keith and Joe for the intro and exit music.