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What’s the best kept secret in Arizona?

What’s it take to build and maintain an 800 mile long National Scenic Trail from Mexico to Utah?

Looking for an adventure of a lifetime?

On this episode I chat with Executive Director of the Arizona Trail Association, Matthew Nelson.

The Arizona Trail Association’s Mission is to build, maintain, protect, promote the Trail, engage with the public in working together to care for the Arizona National Scenic Trail. In this conversation, Matthew describes the efforts in progress set out to accomplish this mission.

Matthew takes us on a guided tour of the Arizona Trail highlighting spectacular landscapes, values, and experiences along the way. He shares origins of the trail, describing the process of establishing an 800 mile long passage from Mexico to Utah.

During the conversation Matthew explains the value the Trail brings to the individual, local communities, the State of Arizona, the economy, wildlife, and environment. He makes a case stating the importance of caring for this cultural resource and major artery of Arizona’s $15 billion outdoor recreation industry.

Want to become involved? Listen to learn more about opportunities to participate in caring for the AZT.

Reach out at:

volunteer@aztrail.org

Visit Aztrail.org for upcoming events, programs, trail resources, newsletters, and opportunities to become involved.

Matthew gave a shout out to some other notable organizations worth checking out:

Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists

sdmb.org

@sdmb_org

Torca

www.torca.org

@torqcamtb

County line riders of Catalina

www.countylineriders.org

Tucson saddle club

www.Tucsonsaddleclub.org

Huachuca Hiking Club

@ www.Groups.io

Flagstaff biking organization

www.flagstaffbiking.org

@flagstaffbikingorg

Legends of Superior Trail

Ala Kahakai Trail Association (Hawaii)

@alakahakaitrailassociation

www.Alakahakai.com

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Join conservationist, trail builder, and wildland firefighter Simon McKay for a deep dive into the work that protects America’s public lands. Simon shares honest insights from years of building and maintaining trails, serving in conservation programs, and fighting wildfire across the West. We explore the meaning of public lands, the evolution of outdoor recreation, daily life on a trail crew, and what it takes to step onto the fireline.

The conversation moves onto the fireline, where Simon explains the Incident Command System (ICS), strategies used in wildland fire, life on assignment, and the values firefighters work to protect. He offers stories from the field — from holding the line to broccoli-bomb pranks — and gives guidance for listeners who want to get involved in conservation corps programs, trail work, or wildland fire.

—Links—
Find a job with the conservation corps near you: https://corpsnetwork.org/jobs-at-corps/

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In this Episode, Dexter Kopas illustrates issues involving public lands and resources in Arizona. Then describes the Campaigns set in place by Wild Arizona in response. Dexter shares his experiences from his years doing conservation work, reveals bigger picture insights and the knitty gritty details of making resource protection happen.

Wild Arizona’s mission is to protect, unite, and restore wild lands and waters across Arizona and beyond for the enrichment and health for humans, and to ensure native plants and animals a lasting home in nature. Wild Arizona organizes and amplifies multi-community voices of support for legislation; advocate for conservation policy; and cultivate stewardship, awareness, and well being through outdoor volunteerism, science, and education.
Thank you for listening ❤️

More show notes, links, resources:

Episode Links

wildarizona.org⁠ - stay up to date on current conservation efforts, opportunities to participate, educational material, and further resources.

Wild Arizona Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_arizona_
Thesauer.weebly.com- Sonoran Ultra Endurance Ride. A 315 Mile self supported ultra endurance bicycle ride through iconic regions of the Sonoran Desert in Southern Arizona.

Sonoran Ultra Endurance Ride Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sauer.tucson
Social Links
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/surfaceexposure (More ways to connect coming soon)

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For over 50 years, Jay has built and maintained hiking trail access in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and surrounding Wilderness areas in the Salmon-Challis and Boise National Forests. To this day, Jay continues to serve on a Wilderness Trail maintenance assignments with organizations such as The Pulaski User’s Group, Idaho Trails Association, and the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Association.

In this episode Jay tells stories from his many years in the Sawtooth mountains and shares his ancestral history originating from the late 19th century Wood River Valley.

During our conversation, Jay offers advice and resources to listeners who aspire to take part in the stewardship of our public lands.

------LINKS------

Participate in the Stewardship of your public lands by following a link below to one of the organizations mentioned in the show.

-Pulaski User's Group -insta: @pulaskiusers - ⁠pulaskiusers.org⁠

-Sawtooth Society -insta:@sawtoothsociety - ⁠Sawtoothsociety.org⁠

-Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation -insta: @selwaybitterroot - ⁠www.selwaybitterroot.org⁠

-Wood River Trails Association -insta: @wrtrailscoaltion - ⁠woodrivertrailscoalition.org⁠

-Idaho Trails Association -insta: @idahotrailsassociation ⁠idahotrailsassociation.org⁠

-American hiking society -insta: @americanhiking - americanhiking.org

-Utah Conservation Corps - ⁠www.usu.edu/ucc⁠

-Idaho Conservation Corps - ⁠idahocc.org⁠

-national smokejumpers association - ⁠www.smokejumpers.com⁠

------SPECIAL THANKS------

Marshall Dillion. ⁠Marshalldillion.com⁠

Gari Bol. ⁠108productions.com⁠

Bran

Dex

Shane Van Pelt. ⁠shanevanpelt.com⁠

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In this episode I sit down with Leo Mercado, The Peyote Lorax. Leo, a career botanist, serves as the cultivation director and liaison for a non profit called the Morning Star Conservancy.
Their mission is simply to ‘protect and preserve our sacrament.’

In this episode Leo illustrates the threats that are facing the peyote cactus on a grand scale. Then describes efforts in developing solutions to this issue. Throughout the conversation, Leo shares stories and experiences from his journey on what many call the peyote road.

———links———

Www.morningstarconservancy.org

-Morning Star Conservancy

https://www.crimepaysbutbotanydoesnt.com/thornscrub-sanctuary-preliminary-action-plan

https://www.reddit.com/r/CPBBD/comments/190uu9d/thornscrub_sanctuary_land_conservation_project_in/

-Thornscrub Sanctuary preliminary action plan and the quest for the nicest visitor center restroom in Texas.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5TdaN5hzNbXBUTPgTVfrxf?si=5VQ6k0nQRiCi2srF3krLPw

-An episode from Peyote Podcast entitled: “Talking to the Peyote Lorax about life and peyote conversation”. In this conversation, The Lorax updates us on their progress, efforts, and events in the pursuit to protect our sacrament.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/786lc0QtV0TKjcnw5QkliM?si=HW9kAqeXQEGXfNIxLLQruA

-A conversation about Peyote with Leo Mercado and Joey Santore. An episode from the ‘Crime Pays, But Botany Doesn’t’ podcast.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Hai1km0ko8PlP0C1WU9Pu?si=J38ks5-lQ_Wi6fM5WQl9hQ

-“ History, Culture, and Tradition of Peyote with Leo Mercado.” - an episode from the ‘Lunacy’ podcast.

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Allan is a career archeologist and currently serves with the non profit called Archeology Southwest.

In this episode, Allan illustrates the tools and practices originating from the day to day lives of of peoples from the past. Allan then tells the story of his passion in recreating 'ancient technologies', shares his experience as a career archeologist, and provides resources for listeners interested in becoming further involved in the world of archeology.

Archeology Southwest practices 'preservation archeology', which is a holistic and conservation based approach to exploring and protecting heritage places while honoring their diverse values. They compile archeological information, interpret it, then share it with the public and decision makers. The organization advocates for landscape scale protection, serves as stewards for for heritage properties and conservation easements, and commits to real ongoing collaboration with indigenous communities.

Visit archeologysouthwest.org for more information, events, exhibits, classes, and ways to participate. As well you will find a blog full of interesting reading and video presentations. In addition, Southwest Archeology produces a physical magazine.

into the program. There is more to come.

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For decades Eric has designed and built hiking trails.

I ask him about public lands, wilderness areas, and the trails that access these places. Towards the end we talk about ways folks can participate in the maintaining of access to wild public lands.

Thanks for tuning in. Any and all feedback, input, critique, and ideas are most appreciated.