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National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 252 | Support Keeping the Lights On

By Jess Repanshek - December 10th, 2023
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When Kurt Repanshek launched the Traveler back in August of 2005, it was primarily to find stories that he could pitch to magazines. But the magazine world took a nosedive, while at the same time readership on the Traveler continued to grow. 

Today, between 2.5 and 3 million readers and listeners a year turn to the Traveler to learn more about the National Park System, both its wonders and how it’s being managed. Unfortunately, the Traveler hasn’t been financially sustainable, and can’t continue unless we can attract the funding necessary to employ a small staff, upgrade IT resources, and allow us to tackle the growing number of critical stories that fall by the wayside because more and more news organizations are paring back, or totally going out of business. 

Rebecca Latson, the Traveler’s contributing photographer, and Lynn Riddick, who hosts many of the Traveler’s weekly podcast, discuss their participation in pulling together the Traveler’s editorial content, and how that’s given them greater appreciation of the value of having a news organization whose focus is solely on national parks and the National Park Service. 

0:02 National Parks Traveler introduction
0:12 Episode Intro with Kurt Repanshek
1:08 Sieur de Monts - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
1:33 Xplorer Maps
1:53 Interior Federal Credit Union
2:26 Potrero Group
2:52 The Everglades Foundation
3:04 Friends of Acadia
3:34 Episode 252 - Support Keeping the Lights On
33:45 No’Easter - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
33:45 Episode Closing
34:08 Great Smoky Mountains Association
34:29 Washington’s National Park Fund
35:01 Yosemite Conservancy
35:23 Grand Teton National Park Foundation
35:52 Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
36:13 Orange Tree Productions
36:46 Splitbeard Productions
36:56 National Parks Traveler footer

Comments

Submitted by Steven Mullen on December 11, 2023 - 1:01pm.

As I was listening to this podcast, it struck me that working with or merging with the NPCA might be the way to go. We could have National Parks Traveler powered by NPCA, or you could be their new news division. I wouldn't think the former is within their mission, but having a news division certainly could be. They have much deeper pockets than you, and they have a reputation that fits with yours. Too many commercial sponsors might be suspect, but certainly not a non-profit such as them. I suppose you have thought of this, but if not please do.


Submitted by Brian Gleason on December 12, 2023 - 12:25pm.

While I agree that some form of subscription plan may be a useful form of fundraising, The amount suggested seems quite high when I can get a subscription to the Wall Street Journal on sale for as low as $50 per year. It might be more helpfulto approach commercial advertisers who can pay higher advertising fees. Companies like LL Bean, Coleman, Columbia or PAtagonia might find this group of listeners to be a good audience for their products. While I understand the angle of Interior Federal Credit Union and the nonprofits associated with each National Park, this tells me that the target audience of this podcast is the employees of the parks. By targeting campers, RVers, hikers and other typical visitors of the parks by providing more visitor information, it may be possible to attract commercial advertisers that can keep it sustainable.


Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on December 12, 2023 - 12:27pm.

Brian, if you have any connections with those companies you mentioned, please let me know. We've tried them all and they've ignored the Traveler.


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Fossilized footprints, USGS photo from White Sands National Park

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Catherineberg plantation ruins, Virgin Islands National Park, photo by Kurt Repanshek

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Composite image of a total solar eclipse from Grand Teton National Park, from NPS Archives

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Bison at Grand Teton National Park, photo by Rebecca Latson

With March madness down to the Sweet 16, and Opening Day of Major League Baseball having arrived, we’re going to take a break this week and dive into our podcast archives for this week’s show.
 
This is Kurt Repanshek, your host at the National Parks Traveler. My NCAA bracket was busted the very first day, and while the Yankees won their opening day game against the Houston Astros, I don’t think they’ll go undefeated this year.
 

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The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

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.