Nine National Park Service Podcasts Worth a Listen

Park rangers, interns and partners tell the stories of the parks' places, history and people in these nine series — a way to "sPark" a connection with the parks, a theme first used for National Park Week.

1. Three Sources of Light — Carlsbad Caverns

Beneath New Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert lie vast chambers and extraordinary formations. Three Sources of Light covers Carlsbad Caverns' cave system, desert life, explorers' stories, dark-sky astronomy and more, with staff, volunteers and partners. Also on Apple Podcasts.

2. 2020 Digital Indian Arts Podcasts — Fort Union Trading Post

When the pandemic canceled Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site's annual Indian Arts Showcase — storytelling, music, crafts and talks by elders and historians of the Upper Missouri tribes — the park made podcasts instead. Two past participants talk about their art, their hopes for future powwows and ceremonies, and teaching others about their history and culture.

3. The Natural Laboratory — Point Reyes

The Natural Laboratory explores science at Point Reyes National Seashore, from wildfire prevention and response to the recovery of black abalone. Produced by the Point Reyes National Seashore Association with the Park Service and the Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center. Also on Apple Podcasts.

4. Preservation Technology Podcast — NCPTT

With more than 100 episodes, the Preservation Technology Podcast from the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training profiles the people and projects bringing innovation to preservation — from World War I memorabilia to documenting slave quarters and tenant cabins to conserving Captain America. Also on Apple Podcasts.

5. Conservation Diaries

Conservation Diaries features young interns, volunteers, fellows and employees on their conservation work across the Park Service, and why young people should help steward public lands.

6. National Heritage Areas Podcast

National Heritage Areas are places where history, culture and nature combine into nationally important landscapes. The podcast, from the program's Northeast Regional Office, explores them; its newest season focuses on climate resilience and tribal affairs.

7. Headwaters — Glacier

For in-depth storytelling, Headwaters tells of Glacier National Park as a place at odds with itself. Season one, Confluence, explores the people and contradictions that shape the park; season two follows the generational effort to restore whitebark pine — and asks what parks are for. Also on Apple Podcasts.

8. Behind the Scenery — Grand Canyon

Behind the Scenery digs into the forces shaping how we think about Grand Canyon: geology, eating in the heat, moonwalkers — and who feels welcome in, and has access to, national parks. Also on Apple Podcasts.

9. A Pueblo Perspective on Mesa Verde

NPS.

The Mesa Top Loop Drive audio tour takes you around Mesa Verde National Park — in your car on the 6-mile (10 km) loop or anywhere — with ranger TJ Atsye, of Laguna Pueblo and a direct descendant of the people who lived there, following her ancestors' footsteps. Also on Apple Podcasts.

Sources

Based on "sPark Connections...By Listening to Podcasts," National Park Service; a work of the United States government in the public domain. Podcast art bearing the NPS arrowhead, a partner's art and a photograph of a dancer are not reproduced.