People. Nature. Big Ideas.

We’re living in what some call the golden era of outdoor recreation. Participation is high and outdoor spaces are being recognized; not just as places to visit and play, but as critical infrastructure for our health, our economy, and our democracy.

But this golden era is under threat.

There are real efforts underway to sell off public lands, gut conservation funding, and roll back programs that center equity and climate resilience. I...

Are you crushing hard on a neighborhood park? Maybe one with rolling hills and super tall trees that sway gently in the summer breeze? Or maybe you’ve got a second crush, too—another park with waterfalls and vistas that just won’t quit? Well, you're not alone! 

On this month’s episode, Ronda takes to the Denver parks to discover the secret (and not-so-secret) “park crushes” local residents have on their favorite outdoor spaces.

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In this episode, host Ronda Lee Chapman is at SXSW! Discover how outdoor programs transform the lives of young people of color through experiences in nature, understand historical exclusion from outdoor spaces and ongoing self-exclusion in communities of color, and learn how these programs cultivate strong, resilient, mentally healthy leaders.

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It’s year-end, and we’re highlighting three remarkable TPL projects in this month’s podcast. 

In our “People,” segment, we talk with a Philadelphia principal who chased her dream and brought a schoolyard to her community. In our “Nature” segment, we learn about a new wildlife management area—twice the size of Central Park—located just outside downtown Minneapolis. And in our third segment, our “Big Idea,” an old golf course is “rewi...

This month, People. Nature. Big Ideas. host Ronda Lee Chapman chats with Queta Gonzalez—the outgoing director of Center for Diversity and the Environment—about Queta’s fifteen years working at the intersection of equity and the outdoors. This expansive conversation covers democracy, internalizing DEI at your organization, career tips for those working in the non-profit space, and a revolutionary (or a Big Idea, at least!) new advan...

Mentored Hunting and Angling—it’s an exciting new program that goes to the heart of one of TPL’s core mission commitments—supporting and fostering equitable outdoor spaces.  

This month on People. Nature. Big Ideas., we learn about BIPOC hunters and their mentees who come together in Minnesota’s North Woods to build new skills, traditions, and community—all on public land. 

And discover the special guest who’s participating in the ne...

In this celebration/retrospective episode, Ronda and Tom look back and pull out some highlights from the season. Topics include: disabilities and the outdoors, indigenous knowledge and stewardship, what “representation” in the outdoors looks like for people of color, and more.

For folks unfamiliar with the podcast, this is a great opportunity to jump in, hear some snippets from our amazing guests, and take in the joy, complexity, an...

In a special episode of PNBI, Ronda Lee Chapman chats with Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser, TPL’s incoming President and CEO, who will take the reins on October 1.   

Carrie is wrapping up her 11-year tenure as President and CEO of Colorado Mountain College, where she championed efforts to close the education equity gap and significantly expanded the college's reach and impact. Under her leadership, the college earned the prestigiou...

Pack your six-inch heels, because it’s Pride month on People. Nature. Big Ideas!  Ronda is joined by Pattie Gonia, a critically acclaimed drag queen, environmentalist, and advocate for inclusivity and diversity in the outdoors. The two discuss making music videos with Yo Yo Ma, climbing mountains with six-inch heels, what it was like to grow up gay in Nebraska, and the confluence of nature, art, and advocacy.   

Pattie Gonia: https:...

It’s ParkScore day! Ronda discusses her impressions of this year's ParkScore release, and then is joined by Scott Kratz, Building Bridges Across the River Senior Vice President & 11th Street Bridge Park Director, to discuss the 11th Street Bridge Park—DC’s first elevated park—a repurposed freeway that is quickly becoming a bridge between two very different communities.  

About the 11th Street Bridge Project:

11th S...

Introducing PNBI’s Three-Part Series on the “Outdoors for All Act” 

In the first two episodes, Ronda talked with community partners who share what outdoors means to them, their community, and their culture. They explored how investing in the outdoors is ultimately an investment in people and collective wellbeing, physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually. 

In this final episode of the Outdoors for All three-part podcast...

In the first two episodes, host Ronda Chapman talks with community leaders and TPL partners who share what outdoors means to them, their community, and their culture. They’ll explore how investing in the outdoors is ultimately an investment in people and collective wellbeing, physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually. 

And in April, for the third episode, Ronda will join TPL’s annual Day on the Hill event in  Washington, DC...

In the first two episodes, Ronda talks with community partners who share what outdoors means to them, their community, and their culture. They’ll explore how investing in the outdoors is ultimately an investment in people and collective wellbeing, physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually. 

And in April, for the third episode,  Ronda will join TPL’s annual Day on the Hill event in  Washington, DC, where they’ll talk with law...

Episode Six - A Walk in the Woods with Ronda

In late January, PNBI host Ronda Lee Chapman was feeling a little stuck on how the podcast should cover Black History Month. Stuck in her feelings. Stuck in her thinking. So what better way for Ronda to think, reflect, and get unstuck, than to get out into nature and take a walk in the woods.

In this reflection episode, Ronda unpacks her thoughts around Black History M...

“The land loss that Black Chicago has experienced in the last decade—it stops here,” says Naomi Davis, founder of Blacks in Green.

Today on PNBI, we’re talking about Self-Determination and the challenges around how communities and individuals are able to shape their economic, cultural, and social futures. To dig into this important topic, we’re joined by Naomi Davis, founder of the Blacks in Green (BIG™), and TPL’s newest...