Ep 028. Should You Visit Parks This Year? A Former Park Manager's Take

In this episode, Team She Dreams of Alpine’s own Kellie Adkins—former park manager and field ecologist—dives into a hot topic that’s come up in our Backpacking Badass Program community: Should we still be visiting public lands right now?With recent funding cuts, staff shortages, and even the illegal firing of federal employees making headlines this year, many outdoor lovers are left wondering: Is it helpful or harmful to keep showing up?Kellie draws on her experience managing over 700 acres of parkland to give you the full scoop on what’s going on behind the scenes—and how you can continue to adventure responsibly, support public lands, and stay safe out there this season.In this episode, you’ll learn:What’s really going on with parks staffing and budgets this yearThe unseen and visible impacts visitors might noticeWays to support public lands—whether or not you visitWhy being self-sufficient on trail matters more than everHow to be the kind of hiker park staff love to seeIf you’re wondering how to be a more thoughtful and prepared outdoor adventurer in 2025, this episode is a must-listen.Get our link to call your reps: Comment "REP" on any of our She Dreams of Alpine social media posts on Instagram or FacebookHave questions for Kellie? Reach out at [email protected] more about your host, Allison (aka She Dreams of Alpine):She Dreams of Alpine BlogInstagram @shedreamsofalpine🎁 FREE GIFT: Grab the Outdoor Backpacker Starter Kit for FREE here to get started on your journey with backpacking.🥾 BACKPACKING COURSE WAITLIST: This is our signature program where we teach you how to become a safe, confident, and self-sufficient backpacker. It's an online course, coaching program, and community to support you in your journey to becoming a confident backpacker and step into your adventurous identity.