This episode features a live, unedited conversation between Jeannette Stawski, Author of The Outdoor Leader and Executive Director of the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education, and Dan Wanschura, Host and Executive Producer of Points North Podcast at the Michigan Outdoor Summit.
Jeannette shares her journey of becoming a whitewater rafting guide, the transformative power of outdoor leadership, and the importance of embracing failure and responsibility. Together, they discuss the importance of leadership in everyday life, resilience in the face of challenges, and how outdoor experiences can shape personal and professional growth.

We connect with Zachary Branigan, the Executive Director of the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy. Zachary discusses the work the conservancy is doing, including taking on urban canopy and tree restoration projects to address tree equity issues in the communities they serve.

He also talks about the journey of leading the conservancy and expanding its focus beyond traditional land protection efforts.

In this episode, we sit down with Stacy Bare, Executive Director of the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, and Luis Benitez, former Chief Impact Officer for the Trust for Public Land (current VP for Global Government Affairs Lululemon) . They discuss their personal connections to Michigan, the importance of outdoor recreation and conservation, and the work their organizations are doing to support and improve parks and green spaces in local communities.

In this episode, we explore the evolution of the Detroit Parks Coalition with its Executive Director and Board President. From its inception to its current impact, learn about the Coalition's mission to transform Detroit's green spaces.

Our guests discuss the organization’s membership, highlighting the collaborative efforts that drive their initiatives. We'll delve into the Coalition's work, the challenges they face, and the successes they've achieved in revitalizing urban parks.

Joining Us:

Sigal Hemy - Executive Director, Detroit Parks Coalition

Alex Allen III - Board President, Detroit Parks Coalition and President/CEO, Chandler Park Conservancy