National Parks Traveler Episode 82: Covid-19's Impact On Outdoor Rec, & Outdoor Afro Fundraiser

In this week’s show, we take a look at the outdoor recreation industry and how it has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Overall, the industry has been hard hit, but there are some bright spots. Jessica Turner, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, and the organization's vice president, Lindsey Davis, discuss the state of the industry amid the coronavirus pandemic.

We also take a look at the upcoming fundraiser for Outdoor Afro. Yosemite National Park Ranger Shelton Johnson will host the fundraiser for the organization that inspires and facilitates the connection of Black Americans to natural spaces everywhere. Traveler’s Lynn Riddick checked in with Outdoor Afro’s Yanira Castro to learn about the event and also more about this nonprofit organization.

Traveler footnote: For more details on the outdoor recreation industry and its struggles with the coronavirus pandemic, read Outdoor Rec Industry Struggling To Rebound From Coronavirus Pandemic

:02 National Parks Traveler introduction
:12 Episode introduction with Kurt Repanshek
1:20 Kenai Fjords - Various Artists - The Sounds of Alaska
2:03 Jessica Turner, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, and the organization's vice president, Lindsey Davis, discuss the state of the industry amid the coronavirus pandemic.
11:56 Kenai Fjords - Various Artists - The Sounds of Alaska
12:13 National Parks Traveler promotion
12:25 Friends of Acadia promotion
12:54 Grand Teton National Park Foundation promotion
13:32 Outdoor recreation and Covid-19 continues
24:35 Big Country - Randy Petersen - The Sounds of Yellowstone
25:18 Lynn Riddick discusses the upcoming Outdoor Afro annual fundraiser with the organization's Yanira Castro
43:29 Whispering Winds - Grant Geissman - Sounds of the Caribbean
43:43 North Cascades Institute promotion
44:03 Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation promotion
44:26 Washington’s National Park Fund promotion
45:03 Outdoor Afro Continues
53:00 Vista Verde - Tim Heintz - The Sounds of Peaks, Plateaus and Canyons
53:15 Episode Closing
53:40 Orange Tree Productions promotion
54:15 Splitbeard Productions
54:28 National Parks Traveler footer

Comments

Hello! I will NOT be hosting this event in my capacity as a National Park Ranger, but off duty as the author of the historical novel "Gloryland". This work will be done on my own time and I have received Ethics approval to do this in my capacity as an author. Thank you! Sincerely,

Shelton Johnson


Thank you for clarifying, Mr. Johnson. Best wishes for continued success in all you do. 


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National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 376 | ESA's Future

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For me, it’s been an eye-opening series because of what our editors and writers have learned about threatened and endangered species — from birds to trees and even to grasses — and the work being done to help them recover. It’s certainly not an easy task, and one that often takes decades before you can see progress.

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National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 373 | Southern Campaign of the American Revolution

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National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 372 | Print Ain’t Dead

We’re living in somewhat tumultuous times in the print media industry. Well-familiar titles are either disappearing, shrinking drastically, or shifting over to the internet. On top of that, the advent of Artificial Intelligence has some readers wondering how much human effort and talent went into the piece they're reading.

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