National Parks Traveler Episode 161: In Search Of A National Biodiversity Strategy

By Kurt Repanshek - March 13th, 2022

Nearly 200 countries have developed various forms of biodiversity strategies, but the United States is not one of them.

Worldwide, 1 million species are threatened with extinction, according to Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice, World Wildlife Fund, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Against that threat, those organizations say the United States must adopt an effective, whole-of-government approach to prevent the loss of species, "the collapse of ecosystems, and the increasing threats these pose to our health, security and well-being."

What exactly would a "national biodiversity strategy" look like? What would it entail? How does it differ from efforts that have been ongoing for years? To explore those, and other, questions about biodiversity we’re joined today by Robert Dewey, vice president of government relations at Defenders of Wildlife, and Lindsay Rosa, who directs Defenders’ center for conservation innovation.

:02 National Parks Traveler introduction
:12 Episode Introduction with Kurt Repanshek
1:02 Wabanaki - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
1:21 Interior Federal Credit Union
1:47 Grand Teton National Park Foundation
2:14 The Everglades Foundation
2:27 Does the United States need a "national biodiversity strategy"? Kurt Repanshek explores that question with Robert Dewey, vice president of government relations at Defenders of Wildlife, and Lindsay Rosa, who directs Defenders’ center for conservation innovation.
15:46 - Blue Mist - Randy Petersen - The Sounds of Shenandoah
16:04 Washington’s National Park Fund
16:37 Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
16:57 Nova Scotia Tourism
17:25 Friends of Acadia
17:54 Our conversation about the need for a national niodiversity strategy continues.
31:41 Sieur De Monts - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
31:51 Wild Tribute
32:10 Potrero Group
32:36 Yosemite Conservancy
33:00 We continue our conversation about the need for a national biodiversity strategy.
47:06 The Horsemen - Randy Petersen - The Spirit of South Dakota
47:31 Episode Closing
48:06 Orange Tree Productions
48:38 Splitbeard Productions
48:47 National Parks Traveler footer

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National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 270 | Cultural Resource Challenge

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National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 267 | Padre Island's Sea Turtles

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Air pollution and climate change impacts can have outsized effects on the National Park System, as well as lesser noticed but just as concerning effects. But are those impacts spread across the entire park system, or clustered around a few?

Back in 2019 the National Parks Conservation Association looked at how air pollution and climate change were impacting parks. They have updated that study with the latest data from the National Park Service, and the current state of affairs remains concerning.

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The Essential RVing Guide

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.