Planning the Wild – Details, episodes & analysis

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Planning the Wild

Rachel Franchina

Sports

Science

Frequency: 1 episode/29d. Total Eps: 15

Welcome to Planning the Wild, the podcast designed for U.S. Forest Service professionals and partners working to enhance outdoor recreation experiences on national forest lands in the Pacific Northwest. Each episode offers practical strategies, expert interviews, and field-based insights to support effective planning and management of recreation resources. From navigating NEPA and forest planning processes to designing sustainable infrastructure and managing visitor use, this show helps you support the outdoor recreation economy, public access and stewardship goals. Whether you're new to recreation planning or a seasoned specialist, this is your resource for making smart, informed decisions that serve both people and the land.

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Data updated on 12/09/2026

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https://goia.wa.gov/tribal-government/treaty-point-elliott-1855
2 shares
https://horse-creek.com/
2 shares
https://outdooreconomy.oregonstate.edu/
2 shares

https://www.facebook.com/pwora/
2 shares
https://www.facebook.com/61575624755588
1 share

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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 73%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

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Collective Impact Models for Recreation

Season 3 · Episode 2

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 • Duration 27:48

In this episode, Cailin O'Brien-Feeney shares insights from her two decades of experience in outdoor recreation, policy, and funding. Rachel and Cailin explore how the outdoor industry has evolved, the role of collective impact, and innovative financing solutions for public lands and recreation projects. Cailin defines what conservation finance is for recreation and how it supports shared stewardship goals. He also shares tangible examples of conservation finance in action.

Resources

Quantified Ventures

About Cailin

Cailin brings two decades of experience working either in or for the outdoors to Quantified Ventures. He joined Quantified Ventures in 2023 because he believes in the power of time outside to strengthen local communities and economies, as well as help people lead healthier, happier lives.

Cailin most recently served as the first Director of Oregon's Office of Outdoor Recreation. In this role he advanced initiatives to grow the state's outdoor recreation economy and increase access to nature for traditionally underrepresented communities. He was also involved in providing technical assistance to communities impacted by wildfire, deploying responsible recreation messaging campaigns, and advising several funding and workforce development boards.

Prior to his time in public service, Cailin led state and local policy initiatives for the Outdoor Industry Association. Earlier in his career he focused on environmental education and guiding. Cailin also serves as President of Alzar School, a semester school that utilizes the outdoors and cultural exchange as a classroom to develop leadership skills. He and his partner reside in Bend, Oregon.

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Shared Vision for Recreation and Trails

Season 3 · Episode 1

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 • Duration 31:08

In this episode, Jaime Loucky from Washington Trails Association discusses shared stewardship, wildfire recovery, and the evolving role of nonprofits in outdoor recreation and land management. Rachel and Jaime talk about how collaboration, trust, and adaptability are shaping the future of public lands stewardship. They also explore the importance of having a shared vision and goals that agencies, partners, and communities work together on.

Resources

Washington Trails Association

About Jaime

Growing up in Bellingham, with the North Cascades practically in his backyard, Jaime developed a lifelong passion for hiking, backpacking and spending time in the beautiful outdoors. Jaime arrived at WTA in early 2020 and served as WTA's first Chief Impact Officer, overseeing strategic planning and program operations. He was selected by the board to be the CEO in 2022 and remains committed to helping advance WTA's vision of Trails for Everyone, Forever and connecting hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors with opportunities to get outside and give back to trails. In his free time Jaime enjoys gardening, getting out on trail work parties a few times a year, the occasional multi-day backpacking trip, and of course taking his daughters Sasha and Avy out on trail any chance he gets.

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Building Relationships and Trust

Season 2 · Episode 7

Friday, April 17, 2026 • Duration 29:15

In this episode of Planning the Wild, Rachel Franchina and Leander Lacy discuss the critical role of trust and relationships in recreation planning and conservation. They explore the importance of inclusivity in conservation efforts, the need for equitable access to outdoor spaces, and the significance of building trust with communities. Leander shares his unique journey into conservation, emphasizing the human dimensions of natural resources and the necessity of engaging diverse voices in the planning process. The conversation highlights practical examples of trust-building in action and the hopeful outlook for the future of conservation efforts.

Resources

https://lacyconsultingservices.com/
Building and Sustaining Trust Workshop - May 11, 2026 in Duluth, MN

About Leander

Leander Lacy is a world-renowned conservationist, public speaker, The Green Mind Podcast host, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Scientist, Wildlife Biologist, Conservation Coach, and has been in the conservation field for over 18 years. As an independent contractor he has worked with organizations and agencies around the world to ensure conservation efforts are sustainable and that the benefits are realized equitably to all communities with a specialist emphasis on communities historically excluded from conservation planning and implementation. His work includes impact assessments, community assessments, equity research, capacity building for community engagement, facilitation, and keynote speaker.

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Visitor Use Management Framework

Season 2 · Episode 6

Thursday, April 9, 2026 • Duration 27:37

In this episode of Planning the Wild, Rachel is joined by Maureen Finnerty, chair of the Interagency Visitor Use Management Council. Maureen shares about the origins of the Visitor Use Management (VUM) framework, a tool built from lessons learned across federal agencies like the NPS, Forest Service, BLM, and others. The conversation covers how the flexible framework is helping to make planning more proactive, adaptable, and ultimately more resilient in the face of growing visitation and natural challenges.

Resources:

About Maureen

Maureen Finnerty is a recreation and visitor experience planner for the National Park Service. She has worked for the National park service for over 20 years in a variety of capacities, but always focused on visitors and the visitor experience in some way. She currently serves as the chair of the interagency visitor use management council. She is based in Colorado and spends all of her free time skiing, running, and fishing on public lands with her family and two dogs.

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Mid-level Recreation Planning

Season 2 · Episode 5

Friday, April 3, 2026 • Duration 24:48

In this episode of Planning the Wild, host Rachel Franchina welcomes Mary Ellen, a seasoned recreation planner with extensive experience in land management. They discuss Mary Ellen's journey into recreation planning, the importance of collaboration, and the critical elements of effective recreation planning. The conversation delves into mid-level recreation planning, its distinction from NEPA, and the significance of engaging diverse perspectives in planning processes. Mary Ellen shares her insights on the evolving landscape of public land management and expresses hope for the future as more people become involved in protecting and enjoying public lands.

Resources

Find Mary Ellen's books here

About Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen spent 35 years in remote and wild places, working for all four land management agencies. As a recreation planner, she led teams in developing vision and solutions for places as varied as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, trail systems, and highly visited frontcountry. She worked in all levels of land management, from her start as a seasonal worker to details in the Washington Office. She retired from full-time work in 2024 to write novels and spend more time in the woods.

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Site Planning and Design

Season 2 · Episode 4

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 • Duration 30:22

In this episode, Rachel Franchina discusses the foundations of recreation planning with guests Nancy Brunswick and Brad Cownover, both experienced landscape architects and recreation planners. They share their personal journeys into the field, emphasizing the importance of creativity, site planning, and understanding user needs in designing effective recreation spaces. The conversation also touches on the evolution of recreation planning within the Forest Service and the significance of the built environment in enhancing user experiences. Finally, they express hope for the future of public lands and the opportunities for collaboration in managing these vital resources.

About Brad

Brad is a strategic advisor and consultant with thirty years of experience leading sustainable recreation planning, scenery management, and accessible design across federal agencies, nonprofits, and private consulting. His work is place-based, providing benefits to the broader landscape and local communities. He has national and international experience in developing and leading stakeholder workshops, training, and presentations for scenic byways, visual stewardship, and sustainable tourism. Previously, Brad has served as Pacific NW Regional Landscape Architect for the USDA Forest Service, the Chief Landscape Architect for the Bureau of Land Management, and as Director of Scenic Conservation for the nonprofit Scenic America.

About Nancy

Nancy Brunswick was the regional landscape architect for the Intermountain Region of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, responsible for working with forests and their landscape architects in Utah, Nevada, southern Idaho, and southwestern Wyoming.

Her first career assignment was as the west zone landscape architect on the Dixie National Forest in southern Utah. She transferred into a partnership position in 2000 with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highways Administration and the America's Byways Resource Center as the first Federal lands byway specialist working with the resource center staff. She was responsible for developing training resources for interpretation, planning, and scenic conservation for State and local byway organizations. Before moving to Ogden, UT, she was the forest landscape architect and recreation program manager on the Cibola National Forests and Grasslands in New Mexico.

Integrating Recreation in NEPA

Season 2 · Episode 3

Thursday, March 12, 2026 • Duration 37:25

In this conversation, Rachel Franchina speaks with Linda Marigliano, a recently retired Recreation and Wilderness Program Manager, about her extensive career in recreation management within the Forest Service. They discuss the importance of leading with passion for the land, evolving public engagement strategies, and the integration of recreation into broader planning efforts. Linda shares her journey into conservation, the significance of partnerships, and the ongoing challenges and opportunities in managing public lands. The conversation highlights the shift in societal values towards experiences over material goods and the growing recognition of recreation's role in land management.

About Linda

Linda is a recently retired recreation/wilderness program manager who also served on the forest plan revision team for the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Jackson. She was drawn to the area in 1979 while volunteering as a backcountry ranger in the Tetons and over the years has led several recreation planning efforts, served on Interagency Wilderness Character Monitoring Committee, taught courses for the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center, and served on the Interagency Visitor Use Management Council. She continues to work on behalf of the land and people as a volunteer with continued focus on visitor use planning, public engagement, and promoting responsible, respectful use. Her husband Mike is an ecologist and together they enjoy hiking, backcountry skiing, and occasional road trips to the desert.

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Recreation Opportunity Spectrum: Challenges and Opportunities with ROS

Season 2 · Episode 2

Monday, March 2, 2026 • Duration 27:32

In this episode of Planning the Wild, Rachel Franchina interviews Monika Derrien, a social scientist focused on outdoor recreation management. They discuss Monika's contrasting childhood experiences in urban Queens and rural Vermont, her journey to becoming a social scientist, and her transition from the Forest Service to academia. The conversation delves into the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS), its historical context, its evolution, and its influence on recreation planning. They also explore the challenges and opportunities in implementing ROS, findings from Monika's research on ROS effectiveness, and future directions for recreation planning.

About Monika

Monika Derrien is a social scientist focused on outdoor recreation management on public lands, and its implications for human health and wellbeing. She currently works as an assistant professor in the Rubenstein School for Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont, where she teaches in the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Program. Monika also serves on the boards for the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals and the Vermont Parks and Recreation Association. Prior to her faculty position at UVM, Monika worked for the USDA Forest Service as a research social scientist with the Pacific Northwest Research Station.

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History of Recreation Planning

Season 2 · Episode 1

Monday, February 23, 2026 • Duration 40:34

In this episode of Planning the Wild, Rachel Franchina talks to Bob Ratcliffe, a veteran in outdoor recreation planning and management. They discuss the evolution of outdoor recreation, Bob's personal journey, and the importance of understanding the history of outdoor management to inform future practices. The conversation highlights key milestones in outdoor recreation planning, the significance of collaboration across agencies, and the lessons learned from past experiences.

About Bob Ratcliffe

Bob has graduate and undergraduate degrees in conservation, outdoor recreation and resource management from Prescott College in Arizona and the University of Idaho. He helped lead the development of national conservation, economic, trail/river, urban, youth, recreation, diversity, environmental justice, health and other proactive initiatives, policies and strategic efforts for the NPS, BLM, the Department of Interior and the White House. His background blends a range of public agency, educational and private sector experience as a Congressional Fellow, Outward Bound instructor, river guide and outfitter, researcher and instructor, river ranger and wilderness area manager, community planner and resource conservation consultant. He enjoys whitewater sports, hiking, biking and skiing – especially with family and friends.

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Treaty Rights and Recreation: Andrew Gobin on Understanding Treaty Rights in Recreation Planning

Season 1 · Episode 6

Monday, August 25, 2025 • Duration 43:49

In this episode of "Planning the Wild," we delve into the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern resource management with Andrew Gobin, the treaty rights manager for the Tulalip Tribes. Raised in the traditions of his people, Andrew shares how these teachings guide his work in protecting the rights and resources of his community. Discover how tribal sovereignty and traditional management practices are being integrated into contemporary strategies to preserve natural resources. Join us for an insightful conversation on the importance of cultural heritage in shaping sustainable futures.

Resources:

Tulalip Treaty Rights Office: https://www.tulaliptribes-nsn.gov/Dept/TreatyRightsAndGovernmentAffairs

Tulalip Uplands Strategic Plan

Treaty of Point Elliott: https://goia.wa.gov/tribal-government/treaty-point-elliott-1855

Boldt Decision: https://lib.law.uw.edu/indian-tribal/boldt

Indian Country 101: https://www.whitenergroup.biz/indiancountry101

Meet Our Guest, Andrew Gobin (Wazikanim)

A lifelong resident of the Tulalip Indian reservation, Andrew was raised in the traditions of his people. The teachings and values instilled since birth have guided him in his work to protect the rights and resources of his people and for future generations – ensuring the continuation of his culture. Currently Andrew is the Treaty Rights Manager for the Tulalip Tribes where he and his team work to protect the inherent rights reserved by his people through the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott – the right of taking fish at all usual and accustomed places, and to hunt and gather on open and unclaimed land. Co-management is a key element of treaty rights as a unique authority held by treaty tribes. Through work in treaty rights, Andrew brings tribal sovereignty to the fore as he works to incorporate traditional knowledge and management practices into modern plans and strategies in order to protect and preserve the natural resources across the lands and waters.

Planning the Wild – Details, episodes & analysis

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Planning the Wild – Details, episodes & analysis

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