In this episode, delve into the fascinating world of 'Witness Trees'—trees that have stood the test of time and witnessed key moments in American history. From the Civil War battlefields of Antietam, Gettysburg, and Manassas to the site of the Oklahoma City bombing, these trees have borne silent witness to significant events. We explore the stories and historical significance of several protected trees, including the Burnside Sycamore, the Oklahoma City Survivor Tree, and the iconic Jackson Magnolia at the White House. Through these stories, we're reminded of the resilience and endurance symbolized by these natural sentinels.

Written By Lizzie Tesch
Narrated By Jason Epperson

00:00 Introduction: Witness Trees of America
02:24 Witness Trees of the Civil War
03:05 The Sycamore at Antietam
07:55 The Survivor Tree of Oklahoma City
11:34 Witness Trees in Washington DC
12:24 The Legacy of Jackson's Magnolia Tree
14:55 Conclusion: The Importance of Witness Trees

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Parkography! This episode is the first of our monthly comprehensive news roundups on national parks and public lands. Today' we're covering the reinstatement of federal employees, cuts to federal facilities, an executive order on historic monuments, military deployments to Big Bend National Park, potential changes to Yosemite's timed-entry reservation system, Alaskan oil exploration, and various lawsuits concerning logging in national forests. Stay informed about all the latest changes and decisions affecting America's public lands.

00:00 Introduction
01:29 Federal Employee Reinstatements and Workforce Reductions
03:29 Federal Building Lease Cancellations
04:56 Review of Historic Monuments and Memorials
06:22 Military Deployment to Big Bend National Park
07:32 Yosemite National Park Reservation System Controversy
09:00 Opening Alaskan Oil Resources
10:25 Logging Controversies in National Forests
14:10 Wild Horse Adoption Incentive Program Halted
15:12 Hurricane Helene's Impact on Blue Ridge Parkway
16:31 Conclusion

We're coming back, and it's a whole new ballgame! Parkography (formerly known as the America's National Parks Podcast) is the new home for the powerful stories, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes of America’s national parks and public lands. Through immersive storytelling, vivid soundscapes, and in-depth research, we explore the people, places, and pivotal moments that shaped the wild places we cherish today. From iconic landmarks to hidden corners, Parkography brings the soul of America’s public lands to life—one story at a time.

Between avoiding snakebites and fending off the dreaded dysentery, fans of the popular game “The Oregon Trail” are sure to be familiar with Fort Laramie. Situated roughly a quarter of the way through the historic trek from Independence, Missouri to the Willamette Valley in modern-day Oregon, the Fort began as a fur trading post, served as a critical juncture for emigrants heading west, and eventually became one of the largest military posts on the Northern Plains. Before its abandonment in 1890, Fort Laramie would also bear witness to sweeping expansion and the heated negotiations between American Indians and the United States Government that would ultimately define the American West.

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Written by Lizzie Tesch

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com.

Standing in the shadows of giant redwood trees is an awe-inducing experience. In California, there's a national park protecting those redwoods and it's one of the state's best-kept secrets. Home to the world's tallest living trees, this world heritage site and international biosphere reserve protects nearly half the world's old-growth redwoods. Come discover thousands of acres of protected forests, pristine and wild scenic rivers, and rugged coastlines hosting whales, seals, and wildflowers in California's Redwood National and State Parks. 

By the start of 1933, thousands of banks across America had already closed their doors. 13 million Americans were unemployed and the stock market had crashed, leaving the United States in the worst economic crisis in modern history. In the twelve years that would follow, the Dust Bowl would ravage the plains and render former farmland useless, heightening the impacts of the depression as the Second World War brought the entire world to a standstill. 

But Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or FDR as many would come to know him, would take it all in stride. Born in Hyde Park, New York in 1882, he was elected to the New York Senate in 1910, would go on to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Wilson, and finally as the Governor of New York before being elected President of the United States in 1932. Perhaps best known for his sweeping economic programs, a deep connection with the American people, and his incredible strength shown amidst personal disaster, he would guide the country through the turbulence with courage, resilience, and, above all else, optimism. 

In the heart of Washington D.C., a tribute to Roosevelt sits in a secluded corner of the National Mall. Designed by renowned landscape architect Lawrence Halprin in 1974, the memorial stretches across 7.5 acres, making it the largest of any National Mall Memorial. The initial plans would wait for more than 20 years before Congress could approve the appropriate funding, but it was eventually dedicated on May 2, 1997, by President Bill Clinton. Consisting of more than 30,000 granite stones from South Dakota and Minnesota and with over 100,000 gallons of water flowing through seven fountains and pools, it is a stark contrast to the monuments that surround it, telling the story of an unprecedented presidency through elements of stone, water, and earth. 

This week on America’s National Parks, take a stroll through the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the lasting legacy of the 32nd President of the United States.

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Written by Lizzie Tesch

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com.

Join Jason Epperson for crucial updates on the ongoing recovery efforts in National Parks affected by hurricanes. Other stories include the renaming of Clingman's Dome to Kuwohi, new memorials in Washington, D.C., and the 2025 U.S. Forest Service hiring freeze. Stay informed about park closures, maintenance needs, and the latest developments in our national parks!

*****

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com.

Find the America's National Parks Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1238438736287784

Become a Mile Marker Member and support this content. Learn more at https://RVMiles.com/milemarkers 

This episode of America's National Parks delves into the historic significance of the Yorktown Battlefield within the Colonial National Historic Park. It explores the climactic moments of the American Revolutionary War in 1781, where British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington, highlighting Washington's tactical brilliance and the dire conditions faced by both armies. The episode also examines Yorktown's role during the Civil War, focusing on General George McClellan's hesitations during the Siege of Yorktown and contrasting them with General Ulysses S. Grant’s aggressive tactics at the Battle of Shiloh.

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Written by Lizzie Tesch

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com.

From the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon to the cliffs of Capitol Reef, there is no shortage of beauty in Utah. Still, the stunning landscape of Utah goes far beyond the “Mighty Five.” A wealth of National Monuments, Historic Parks, Recreation Areas, and Historic Trails can be found within its borders, and in the southeastern corner of the state sits one unit that receives barely over 100,000 visitors per year. Natural Bridges National Monument protects a collection of canyons and a trio of natural rock bridges. Those who do make the trip to the Monument find a delicate and desolate landscape that tells an intricately woven story of the people who called it home, of time, and above all else, of water.

Hosted by Jason Epperson

Written by Lizzie Tesch

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com.

In this episode, we're sharing some national park trip tips for those who feel that national parks aren't all they've cracked up to be.

Use code PARKS30 for $30 off of a $500 or more booking at www.rvshare.com.

Find the America's National Parks Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1238438736287784