Episodes

Monday Aug 30, 2021
Goodbye from Neva
Monday Aug 30, 2021
Monday Aug 30, 2021
Hi Outdoors Enthusiasts! As you might have picked up from the title of the podcast, this will be my final podcast with the Connecticut Trail Census :(. As a farewell, Laura Brown, Kim Bradley, and I decided to interview each other about the progression of the podcast, future plans for the podcast, and my thoughts about the creation and evolution of the podcast. I'll also speak a little to why I'm leaving (it is my final semester at UConn). I am sad to go but so thankful the people I have been able to meet, the voices I have been able to broadcast, and the messages I have hopefully been able to get across. Thank you listeners for everything!!

Monday Jul 19, 2021
Open Doors Outdoors
Monday Jul 19, 2021
Monday Jul 19, 2021
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

Friday Jun 18, 2021
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare - Adaptive Sports
Friday Jun 18, 2021
Friday Jun 18, 2021
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

Friday May 14, 2021
Petal Power - Empowering Girls to Bike
Friday May 14, 2021
Friday May 14, 2021
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.

Friday Apr 23, 2021
Friday Apr 23, 2021
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/

Friday Mar 12, 2021
Walk with Me Ep. 9
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Friday Mar 12, 2021
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.

Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
Walk with Me Ep. 8
Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
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.

Friday Jan 15, 2021
Urban Forestry
Friday Jan 15, 2021
Friday Jan 15, 2021
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!

Monday Nov 16, 2020
Learn about Your Watershed
Monday Nov 16, 2020
Monday Nov 16, 2020
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!

Friday Oct 30, 2020
Nature's Role in Healing
Friday Oct 30, 2020
Friday Oct 30, 2020
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