Ask a Ranger Podcast
85 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 34 ratingsHow far can a jumping spider jump? DOES a woodchuck chuck wood? What does a Park Ranger do all day? All these questions and any you may have will be answered through this podcast series! So come, join us, listen and write Ranger Crystal and Ranger Jess all your questions about park and other natural science careers
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Episodes
A Hike at Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, Texas
August 15, 2019 09:00 - 35 minutes - 16.1 MBYay! 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 Mounta...
Exploring Park Ranger Careers in State and National Parks
August 01, 2019 09:00 - 39 minutes - 27.5 MBWe 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
July 15, 2019 09:00 - 26 minutes - 17.9 MBWelcome 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 th...
Prehistoric Sharks with Dr. Kammerer
July 01, 2019 09:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MBLet'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
June 14, 2019 20:00 - 10 minutes - 7.25 MBHank 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
June 01, 2019 09:00 - 23 minutes - 10.6 MBRanger 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
May 01, 2019 04:00 - 33 minutes - 15.4 MBJoin 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?
April 01, 2019 04:00 - 33 minutes - 15.2 MBIn 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
March 01, 2019 10:00 - 45 minutes - 31.7 MBRangers 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
February 01, 2019 10:00 - 33 minutes - 15.2 MBIn 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
January 01, 2019 05:00 - 35 minutes - 16.2 MBAfter 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
December 01, 2018 05:00 - 34 minutes - 15.9 MBTune 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
November 01, 2018 04:00 - 35 minutes - 16.2 MBLucky 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!
October 15, 2018 04:00 - 34 minutes - 15.8 MBIn 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
October 01, 2018 04:00 - 23 minutes - 10.7 MBListen in as Ranger Crystal, Ranger Kevin, and Ranger Jess sit around a campfire and demystify the often misunderstood coyote.
Wall Climbing Eels!
September 01, 2018 04:00 - 30 minutes - 14.1 MBIn 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
August 15, 2018 04:00 - 20 minutes - 9.41 MBDig 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
August 01, 2018 04:00 - 35 minutes - 16.1 MBMany 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!
July 15, 2018 04:00 - 14 minutes - 6.46 MBEver 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
July 01, 2018 04:00 - 27 minutes - 15.3 MBIn 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
June 15, 2018 04:00 - 17 minutes - 8 MBRanger 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
June 01, 2018 04:00 - 16 minutes - 7.8 MBTake 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
May 15, 2018 04:00 - 22 minutes - 10.2 MBOur 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
May 01, 2018 04:00 - 39 minutes - 18 MBIn 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
April 01, 2018 04:00 - 14 minutes - 6.78 MBDuring 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
March 01, 2018 05:00 - 24 minutes - 11.1 MBThe 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 ...
Herpetology
February 01, 2018 05:00 - 18 minutes - 8.35 MBLearn 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
January 01, 2018 05:00 - 13 minutes - 6.17 MBRanger 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
December 01, 2017 05:00 - 25 minutes - 11.8 MBIn 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?!
November 01, 2017 04:00 - 15 minutes - 7.38 MBRanger 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....
Campfire Ready Ghost Stories!
October 05, 2017 04:00 - 25 minutes - 11.7 MBIn 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
September 18, 2017 04:00 - 7 minutes - 3.71 MBThis 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
September 07, 2017 04:00 - 22 minutes - 10.5 MBIn 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?
August 01, 2017 04:00 - 14 minutes - 6.77 MBWould 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!
July 28, 2017 04:00 - 12 minutes - 5.8 MBThis 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.