Episodes
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Making Room for What’s Next
We sat down with Detroit Future City's land use and design team to discuss DFC's origins, how Detroit's vacant land relates to climate resilience and stormwater management, and how the city's master planning process seeks to balance new development with community voice. We also explored what DFC...
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Power of Nature
*Recorded at the 2025 Michigan Outdoor Summit.* Nature shapes us, grounds us, and sparks the stories we carry. For Detroit-based artist-journalist and organizer Ian Solomon, the outdoors is more than a backdrop, it’s a driving force in his art, community work, and vision for belonging. In this...
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Are We Even Friends?
*Recorded at the 2025 Michigan Outdoor Summit.* The outdoors doesn’t live in a silo, and neither should we. From trails to tables, wellness to wilderness, many of us in the recreation, conservation, food, health, and outdoor sectors are already working toward shared goals. So why does it…
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You Know It When You See It
In this episode of Ramble & Mosey, we explore the intersection of land banks, vacant property revitalization, and urban conservation in Michigan. Featuring Janell O’Keefe, Associate Director for Technical Assistance at the Center for Community Progress, and Mike Kelly, Great Lakes Director for…
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Protecting The Places We Love
In this episode of Ramble & Mosey, we’re joined by Megan Motil of Parallel Solutions for an inside look at the inner workings of Michigan’s land conservation community. From strategic planning to partnership building, Megan shares how organizations collaborate behind the scenes to protect land,...
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How Trails Transform Places and People
In this episode of Ramble & Mosey, we sit down with Stacy Bare of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Julie Clark of TART Trails, and Gary Vernon of Oz Trails Bike Park to explore how trails shape both people and places. From Northwest Arkansas to Michigan, they share stories of community…
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Outdoor Innovation In The U.P.
In this episode of Ramble & Mosey, we welcome Phil Britton of Fresh Systems LLC and Vaughn Rodriguez of Innovate Marquette to dig into how outdoor recreation and conservation come together in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We unpack the story of the Orion Project (Outdoor Recreation Innovation…
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Stewards of the Land
In this episode of Ramble & Mosey, we're joined by MaryKay O’Donnell from the Land Trust Alliance and special guest Megan Motil from Parallel Solutions to unpack the role land conservancies play in conservation across Michigan. We trace the history of land conservancies, explore how they differ...
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Meeting People Where They're At
In this episode of Ramble and Mosey, we sit down with guests Qing Tiffany and Dan Cooke to explore how outdoor spaces in the Detroit region connect across generations. Qing shares her journey from a pre-med path to conservation work with Six Rivers Land Conservancy, and her current focus on...
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Creating Safe and Brave Spaces for Youth
In this episode, we explore the healing power of nature in supporting youth mental health and resilience with Garrett Dempsey and Amanda Westra. Garrett shares how Detroit Outdoors creates inclusive opportunities for young people, especially in communities of color, through a gear library,...
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Redefining Detroit's Green Narrative
In this episode, we welcome Ian Solomon, a multifaceted individual working passionately in Detroit's green spaces. Ian discusses his varied roles, including his work with the Detroit Parks Coalition, his artistic pursuits, and his community organization, Amplify Outside. He emphasizes the...
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In The Business of Trail Goers & Communities
In this episode, Anne Fleming from Little Traverse Conservancy, Cece Kirkwood, and Pitt Grewe from AllTrails join us to discuss the importance of trails for community engagement and conservation in Michigan. We explore the tools AllTrails offers to enhance outdoor experiences, including...
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Growth & Green Spaces in Muskegon
In this episode, our guests, Pete DeBoer, Director of Donor Relations at the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, and Bob Lukens, Director of Community Development for Muskegon County, discuss the balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship. From restoring natural spaces…
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The Get Stuff Done Duo
In this episode, we're joined by Dan Lord, Chief of the Financial Operations Division, and Clay, Grants Manager for Michigan's Department of Natural Resources. We dive into the intricacies of financial operations, grants management, and their transformative impacts on Michigan's communities.…
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Inspiring Leadership In Uncertain Times
This episode features a live, unedited conversation between Jeannette Stawski, Author of The Outdoor Leader and Executive Director of the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, and Dan Wanschura, Host and Executive Producer of Points North Podcast at the Michigan Outdoor Summit.…
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Branching Out in the City
We connect with Zachary Branigan, the Executive Director of the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy. Zachary discusses the work the conservancy is doing, including taking on urban canopy and tree restoration projects to address tree equity issues in the communities they serve. He also talks about the...
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From the Mountains to the Mitten
In this episode, we sit down with Stacy Bare, Executive Director of the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, and Luis Benitez, former Chief Impact Officer for the Trust for Public Land (current VP for Global Government Affairs Lululemon) . They discuss their personal connections to Michigan, the...
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Advocates for Detroit Parks
In this episode, we explore the evolution of the Detroit Parks Coalition with its Executive Director and Board President. From its inception to its current impact, learn about the Coalition's mission to transform Detroit's green spaces. Our guests discuss the organization’s membership…
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About this show
Conversations about critical issues in conservation and outdoor recreation. Celebrating the people and places that make Michigan special.
Hosted by
Heart of the Lakes
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