Safe Travels

Safe Travels Media

Safe Travels explores National Parks and wild places through in-depth conversations with the people who know them best - park rangers, scientists, biologists, geologists, archaeologists, and conservationists. Each episode goes beyond travel tips to uncover the science, history, wildlife, and conservation stories that bring these landscapes to life. Hosted by Joey Liberatore, Safe Travels Pod turns expert insight into engaging, accessible conversations - helping listeners experience public lands with deeper understanding and appreciation.

  1. Petrified Forest National Park: The Art & Science of Museum Curation with Curator Matt Smith

    JAN 23

    Petrified Forest National Park: The Art & Science of Museum Curation with Curator Matt Smith

    Have you ever wondered how a museum is built inside a national park—or what happens to the fossils once they’re discovered? In this episode of Safe Travels, we go behind the scenes at Petrified Forest National Park with Park Ranger and Museum Curator Matt Smith to explore the art, science, and storytelling behind creating a world-class paleontological and natural history museum. Matt walks us through how fossils are collected, preserved, cataloged, and interpreted, and we dive into some of the incredible museum and research collections housed at Petrified Forest National Park. From Triassic-era fossils to curated specimens rarely seen by the public, this conversation sheds light on how park collections help scientists study ancient ecosystems while educating millions of visitors. We also discuss how museum exhibits are designed to balance scientific accuracy, public education, and visual storytelling, and why national park museums play a critical role in conservation, paleontology research, and protecting public lands. Matt’s passion for paleontology, museums, and the landscapes of Petrified Forest is unmistakable throughout the episode, offering listeners a rare look at the people working behind the scenes to preserve deep time.______________Follow us on social!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safetravelspodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@safetravelspodYouTube: youtube.com/@safetravelspodSafetravelspod.com

    1h 7m
  2. Petrified Forest National Park: Prairie Dogs & Park Biology with Biologist Dylan Schneider

    JAN 16

    Petrified Forest National Park: Prairie Dogs & Park Biology with Biologist Dylan Schneider

    Prairie Dogs, Bats, and Pronghorn: The Living Landscape of Petrified Forest National Park Prairie dogs make their debut on the Safe Travels Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Park Ranger and Biologist Dylan Schneider to explore the vital role prairie dogs play in shaping the ecosystem of Petrified Forest National Park. Prairie dogs are far more than charismatic grassland mammals — they are a keystone species, influencing soil health, plant diversity, and habitat availability for countless other animals. Dylan explains how their burrows and behavior help maintain balance across the park’s high desert landscape. Our conversation also dives into Petrified Forest National Park’s acoustic monitoring program, a cutting-edge research tool used to study and track bat populations throughout the region. By analyzing soundscapes and echolocation calls, park biologists can monitor biodiversity and ecosystem health in ways that are both non-invasive and highly effective. We also spotlight one of North America’s most fascinating mammals: the pronghorn. Known as the fastest land animal in the Western Hemisphere, pronghorns have evolved extraordinary adaptations that make them perfectly suited to the open landscapes of the Southwest. While Petrified Forest National Park is world-famous for its Triassic-era fossils and petrified wood, Dylan reveals a lesser-known story — a park that is very much alive, supporting an incredible diversity of modern wildlife. From grasslands to badlands, the park remains a dynamic and thriving ecosystem shaped by biology, sound, and time.______________Follow us on social!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safetravelspodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@safetravelspodYouTube: youtube.com/@safetravelspodSafetravelspod.com

    58 min
  3. Petrified Forest National Park: Dinosaurs, Paleontology & Geology with Paleontologist Adam Marsh

    12/26/2025

    Petrified Forest National Park: Dinosaurs, Paleontology & Geology with Paleontologist Adam Marsh

    In this episode, we explore the world of paleontology at Petrified Forest National Park with Park Ranger Adam Marsh, the park’s Lead Paleontologist. Known worldwide for its colorful petrified wood, Petrified Forest National Park is also one of the most important paleontological sites in the United States, preserving exceptionally well-preserved Triassic-era fossils dating back more than 200 million years. Ranger Adam Marsh breaks down what paleontology is, why fossil preservation at Petrified Forest is so unique, and how the park plays a leading role in modern paleontological research. We discuss major fossil discoveries at Petrified Forest National Park, including ancient reptiles such as phytosaurs and rauisuchians, and how these finds help scientists better understand prehistoric ecosystems, mass extinctions, and the evolution of life on Earth. Adam also shares his personal path to becoming a National Park Service paleontologist and what it’s like to study fossils in one of the most scientifically significant national parks in the world. This conversation highlights why Petrified Forest National Park paleontology is critical to understanding the Triassic Period and the early history of dinosaurs and their relatives. Topics Covered: Paleontology at Petrified Forest National ParkGeology of the regionTriassic fossils and prehistoric lifePhytosaurs, rauisuchians, and ancient reptilesWhy Petrified Forest is a global paleontology hotspotFossil preservation and scientific research in national parksLife as a National Park Service paleontologist______________Follow us on social!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safetravelspodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@safetravelspodYouTube: youtube.com/@safetravelspodSafetravelspod.com

    1h 3m
5
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

Safe Travels explores National Parks and wild places through in-depth conversations with the people who know them best - park rangers, scientists, biologists, geologists, archaeologists, and conservationists. Each episode goes beyond travel tips to uncover the science, history, wildlife, and conservation stories that bring these landscapes to life. Hosted by Joey Liberatore, Safe Travels Pod turns expert insight into engaging, accessible conversations - helping listeners experience public lands with deeper understanding and appreciation.

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