Open Doors Outdoors

Hello Listeners! Today we have a super important episode about a non-profit called Open Doors Outdoors that help Veterans, their families with healthy activity and healing through outdoor activity. I interviewed Dave Edwards founder and director and we talked about his military experience, his PTSD, and how this amazing program came out of all of it. There are mentions of suicide, depression and other negative mental states but there is no graphic descriptions in today's episode. Click the link below to find out more about Open Doors Outdoors and if you or anyone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts please use the hotline below. 

https://www.opendoorsoutdoors.org/

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare - Adaptive Sports

Hi outdoors enthusiasts, welcome back to another episode of On the Trail! Today I talked to Katie Joly, Association Program Manager of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, all about adaptive sports. We discussed how, with a little bit of support, nothing is off limits for people with different abilities. We also discussed how, in order to make the outdoors accessible to all, there needs to be all types of voices invited to the table so that many different perspectives are heard. You can click the link below to learn more about the organization and the many giving events they host throughout the year specifically the Gaylord Gauntlet which will take place on June 26, 2021 in Wallingford, CT. 

https://www.gaylord.org/Giving/Events

Petal Power - Empowering Girls to Bike

Hello friends! Today's episode is all about getting young people, specifically girls, into biking and mountain biking! Petal (not pedal) Power is an all girls mountain biking team under Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program (CCAP) that is coached by Jen Ahren. I talk to Jen about inclusion, empowerment, and access to opportunity from her experiences biking herself and coaching her team. Listen in as we talk about all things girl power. You can find more about Petal Power and CCAP fundraisers at the link here.

Outside Perspectives - A non-profit dedicated to youth and community engagement

Hello friends and HAPPY EARTH WEEK! Welcome back to another episode of On the Trail! Today we are highlighting Nicola (Nicky) Wood, co-founder and executive director of Outside Perspectives. Tune in to learn more about what they do, why they do it, and the impact they are having. Click the link below to learn more from their website, donate or volunteer!

https://www.outsideperspectives.org/

Walk with Me Ep. 9

Hi Trail Lovers! Today's episode features Raul Irizarry, a Hartford native who is passionate about increasing accessibility to the outdoors for BIPOC. He has worked for the center for Latino Progress and is currently working on the Bridgeport Waterfront Project which aims at increasing accessibility and walkability in the waterfront area by adding more multimodal walkways and paths. Listen in as he discusses how his own experiences with urban and green spaces in Hartford has shaped his passions and missions today. 

Walk with Me Ep. 8

Hello trail enthusiasts and bike lovers! Happy Black History Month! In honor of Black History Month, we are bringing you another episode of the Walk with Me series. Today we talk to Joseph Dickerson, education chair on the board for the Connecticut Outdoor Recreation Alliance (CORA) and owner of Inspired Adventurist, a mentoring and coaching company. Joseph shares what it was like to be one of the only black kids in his small Washington town growing up and what made him move to Connecticut. This episode does contain some profane language so sensitive listeners please be advised. 

Urban Forestry

Hi tree lovers! Today's episode is all about urban forestry. I talk with Heather Dionne, Hartford's first ever female city forester, about what urban forestry really is, some of the difficulties she faces and how climate change has affected her job. Tune in to learn more about the trees and greenery we see in our cities, and how you can help be part of the solution!

Learn about Your Watershed

What is a watershed? Do you live on or in a watershed? In today's On the Trail episode I interview Patricia Young, Program Director of Eight Mile Watershed, as she fills me (and then you!) in on all there is to know about watersheds. We cover everything from their locations, their impacts, their regulations and how to get involved! Tune in to find out more!

http://www.eightmileriver.org/

https://cteco.uconn.edu/help/watersheds.htm#:~:text=This%20drainage%20basin%20system%20divided,7%2C067%20small%20drainage%20basin%20areas 

Nature’s Role in Healing

Hello friends, I am pleased to offer you a new episode of the On the Trail podcast! We are back to discuss nature's role in healing and recovering. Today I talk to Dylan Howley, who had a long road to recovery after being in a bad motorcycle accident. He beautifully explains, in a very raw way, the depression that often comes with painful injuries, and how he used biking and a lot of positivity to get back on track. Just a trigger warning this episode does contain discussions of suicide and alcohol abuse. The information I reference in today's episode can be found below. Please enjoy and don't forget to take a walk in the fresh air!

https://www.who.int/mental_health/media/investing_mnh.pdf 

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing

Walk with Me Ep. 7

Hello friends! Happy Indigenous Peoples Week! Today we are focusing on Indigenous peoples week and an event called THIS LAND: Quinektikut Blanket Exercise, hosted by student leaders from the Native American Cultural Program (NACP), Fridays for the Future (FFF) and UConn Collaborative Organizing (UCCO). Check out my discussion with Sage, Michio and Brittany about their event and collaboration, and their experiences with Indigenous Peoples Day/ week. Walk with Me!