In celebration of National Fourth Grader Day that's observed every second Monday of January, this episode of Big Blend Radio's BIG DAILY BLEND podcast features Ivan Levin, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Communications for the National Park Trust, who discusses the organization's initiatives to introduce kids to parks where they can learn, play, and be inspired to become America’s strongest, most diverse generation of park stewards. One of their key programs is Annual Kids To Parks Day, a national day of outdoor play celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. The day connects kids and families with their local, state, and national parks and public lands through thousands of park events that promote discovery and exploration in the great outdoors. More at https://parktrust.org/ QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Of all the questions which can come before this nation, short of the actual preservation of its existence in a great war, there is none which compares in importance with the great central task of leaving this land even a better land for our descendants than it is for us.” Theodore Roosevelt BOOK OF THE DAY is "The Great Weather Diviner" by Rob Long and Andrew Dolberg. Hear their Big Blend Radio interview: http://tinyurl.com/5ews6849 MUSIC OF THE DAY is the new "Bearings" album by traveling composer Ben Cosgrove. Hear his latest Big Blend Radio interview: http://tinyurl.com/57cumfvk MOVIE OF THE DAY is Steve Schneickert's Hollywood History podcast on National Parks: http://tinyurl.com/2p9yhxsb PUZZLE OF THE DAY is an online jigsaw puzzle of Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park. See: http://tinyurl.com/uwu3a29d RECIPE OF THE DAY is a list of tips from cookbook author Ruth Milstein on planning a family picnic in the park. See: http://tinyurl.com/pkb8snv9 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Parks & Arts" Show features Tanya Ortega, photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), who talks about the organization's unique month-long artist residencies in locations like Loggerhead Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and Chaco Canyon and Fort Union in Northern New Mexico. Hear about how these artist residency opportunities are perfect for artists of all mediums, from painters and sculptors to photographers, composers, writers, musicians, and more. NPAF is a non-profit offering unique Artist-in-Residence Programs, Museum In-Loan Programs, and Workshops inspired by our National Parks, National Monuments, and World Heritage Sites. NPAF has supported over 300 programs, over 120 artists, and been the conduit for over a million dollars in artwork donations. Learn more: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" focuses on what you can experience in Niagara Falls with Over the Falls Tours, a top-rated, family-owned and operated company since 1994. Niagara Falls’ unparalleled beauty and storied history is a magnet for tourists from around the world. They come to marvel at the grandeur and power of these spectacular formations, which straddle the U.S. (New York) and Canada (Ontario). Read Debbie's article and see her photos from her experience here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/explore-wondrous-niagara-falls-with-over-the-falls-tours/ This is Part 1 on Debbie's Upstate New York feature. You can also see her story on Lake Placid, here: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/lake-placids-olympic-legacy-is-alive-and-well/ Big Blend Radio's "Global Adventures with Debbie Stone" podcast airs every 4th Tuesday. Follow the podcast here: https://shows.acast.com/big-blend-radio-global-adventures-with-debbie-stone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.